Launching the Next Generation of WV Behavioral Health Professionals

The U-Launch Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative will engage nine West Virginia colleges and universities in a state-wide project with the goals of increasing the number of students entering the behavioral health field, supporting current students, and fostering an increased behavioral health workforce in West Virginia. Becoming a behavioral health professional in West Virginia can be a very meaningful, impactful career and qualified professionals are in high demand across the state. Students are encouraged to utilize their skills and natural talents by launching their careers right here at home in the wild, wonderful mountain state.

The initiative has a team of part-time paid undergraduate Student Leaders, enrolled in social work, psychology or other behavioral health programs on our target campuses. Their work will impact the campuses and surrounding communities; the ultimate goal is to have an even broader state-wide reach that will strengthen the WV behavioral health workforce pipeline.

Catchment area includes regions one, four, and six, with the following participating institutions of higher education learning:

• Bethany College
• Davis & Elkins College
• Fairmont State University
• New River Community & Technical College
• West Liberty University
• West Virginia Northern Community College
• West Virginia University
• Wheeling University
• WVU Tech

U-launch is funded through a Momentum Initiative Grant from the West Virginia First Foundation, awarded to Community Connections, Inc. and implemented in partnership with the Marshall University Center of Excellence for Recovery.