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Expanding Opportunities Project Overview
The Expanding Opportunities Project aims to recruit and retain school-based mental health (SBMH) providers to serve the needs of students across New Mexico with a focus on rural and frontier communities that have a high percentage of at-risk and vulnerable student populations.
Through the project, the NMPED offers in-state MSW students a variety of opportunities including tuition assistance, field practicum stipends, post-graduation opportunities, and licensing fee reimbursement.
Tuition Assistance: The New Mexico Public Education Department (NM-PED) Expanding Opportunities Project (EOP) provides tuition assistance, along with resources and support for in-state WNMU students who are enrolled in master’s level health programs including counseling, psychology, and social work. Participants can receive up to $3,000 in tuition assistance repayment for their first year in EOP. Each additional year that the participant is involved in EOP, the amount increases by $500.
Internship/Practicum Placement Stipends: Stipends are available to qualifying EOP participants who complete practicums/internships via a partnering university placement (in an EOP approved high-need school/district) and commit to minimum employment of two years post-graduation in a high-need school/district. Up to a $10,000 stipend is available to qualifying EOP participants who complete practicums/internships via a partnering university placement (in an EOP approved high-need school/district) and commit to a minimum employment of two years post-graduation in a high-need school/district.
Post-Graduation Opportunities: In an effort to retain and recruit school-based behavioral health professionals, stipends are available to providers employed in EOP approved schools/districts. Qualified participants can receive a stipend of $2,000 for one year of service in an approved school/district, increasing $500 each additional year for the life of the grant.
Licensing/Licensure Fees Reimbursement: Qualifying EOP participants are eligible for up to $300 in reimbursement for professional licensing exam/licensure costs.
Participants must meet the following criteria:
- Currently enrolled in a master’s level or doctoral behavioral health program (counseling, psychology, or social work) in a participating university
- University placement for practicum/internship must be in an EOP approved high-need school/district
- And/or Employment as a school-based behavioral health professional in an EOP approved high-need school/district
