The Youth Behavioral Health Workforce Fellowship is an opportunity to help expand and fortify Pittsburgh’s behavioral health workforce—where the shortage of professionals trained to support children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth with trauma and mental health or behavioral disorders has become a crisis. Across Pennsylvania, over 70 percent of counties are designated as mental health professional shortage areas, with only about 16 child and adolescent psychiatrists per 100,000 children in the state, compared to national recommendations of 47 per 100,000 (Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth & Family Services).
The Fellowship immerses fellows in hands‑on practicum placements, seminars, and advanced learning modules—preparing you to serve high-need, high‑demand communities and help bridge the gaps in youth behavioral health access.
Program Benefits
- Financial Award: The YBHW program provides students with a $25,000 financial award while completing the clinical practicum experience in the grants focus area (i.e., high-need, high-demand areas). The eligible student will receive the award across the academic year.
- Funding is contingent upon federal appropriations and/or the availability of funds. The federal government requires the university to distribute financial awards towards a student's tuition, with the total award amount divided by two semesters (Fall/Spring).
- Practicum learning and support: Experiential learning opportunities in high-demand, high-need areas, and incorporating interdisciplinary teaming and team-based care in mental, behavioral, and integrated health settings. All Youth Behavioral Health Workforce fellows will have the opportunity to work with the Youth Behavioral Health Workforce Fellowships practicum advisor and fellowship team to support their career development.
- Advanced training opportunities - Monthly seminars, asynchronous online learning modules, and other specified learning opportunities.
Eligibility Requirements
- Second-year or advanced-standing, full-time students
- Direct practice specialization
- Pursuing the Integrated Healthcare, Mental Health, HSV/SSW, or CYF (not enrolled in CWEL) Certificate, or no certificate at all.
- Demonstrated strong academic performance
- U.S. citizenship
Fellowship Commitments
- Complete 720 hours of practicum work at designated YBHW agencies.
- Complete all paperwork, clearances, and training required by the practicum agency.
- Plan to pursue employment with high need, high demand, and/or medically underserved populations.
- Complete and submit all required information for accurate reporting and project documentation for the Health Resources and Services Administration.
- Respond to requests for post-graduation information necessary for program reporting for purposes such as licensure status and career placements.
- Keep the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work staff apprised of professional development.
- Complete the required coursework and maintain good academic standing.
- Participate and complete asynchronous learning modules in the required timeframe
- During the fellowship, students must attend monthly YBHW seminars (meeting) with their peers. Attendance at these seminars is mandatory and will count toward students’ total practicum hours. Seminars are intended to provide insight into various interventions and topics related to the goal of this grant. They are not exhaustive. Students are also required to complete evaluations after seminars.
- Enrollment in the following courses: (1) Introduction to Psychopharmacology and Social Work Practice (SWINT 2007) and (2) Direct Practice with Children (SWINT 2049).
Fellowship Practicum Options
The Youth Behavioral Health Workforce Fellowship fosters strong partnerships with community-based organizations to expand access to high-quality behavioral health services, particularly in high-need, high-demand, and medically underserved areas. Special emphasis is placed on supporting vulnerable populations—including children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth—who are living with or at risk for mental health and behavioral health challenges.
Instructions for How to Apply
Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year will be accepted from December 1, 2025, to March 7, 2026
- Within the application, answer the following essay question:
- Please tell us about your past experiences and future plans to support the behavioral health needs of youth in medically underserved communities, and how this fellowship will support you in these goals.
Contact Information
Kelsey Ott-Sudik, LCSW, Program Coordinator KEO97@pitt.edu