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COEHS Expanding Opportunities Project

PROJECT GOAL

The goal of The Expanding Opportunities Project is to recruit and retain school-based mental health (SBMH) providers to serve the needs of students across the state, with a focus on rural and frontier communities that have a high percentage of at-risk and vulnerable student populations.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED), Safe and Healthy Schools Bureau, was awarded a USDE grant to increase the number and quality of school-based mental health (SBMH) providers in high-need schools. By partnering with local education agencies (LEAs), universities, Native American communities, and other state agencies, EOP will increase the number of SBMH providers and access to care for school-aged youth in identified communities.

There are multiple possible pathways to reimbursement

Take a survey to see if you qualify for reimbursement

Academic Support Incentive

Qualifying participants can receive up to $3,000 of academic support for their first year in EOP. For each additional year that the participant is involved in EOP and qualifies for academic support, the amount increases by $500.

To receive the full amount of academic support, participants must successfully complete at least two semesters in their regionally accredited behavioral health program. At least two classes or one practicum/internship per semester must be completed to earn the full amount. *Summer semesters will count as a full semester.

EOP participants may elect to receive half of their academic support upon completion of one semester and the other half when the second semester is finished. They may also wait to receive the full amount upon completion of the two semesters.

EOP participants must provide a copy of their full transcripts for eligibility determination.

Internship/Practicum Placement Stipends

Qualifying EOP participants can receive a $5,000 stipend for completing a practicum/internship via a partnering university placement (in an EOP-approved high-need school/district). EOP participants may claim a maximum of two qualifying stipends for a total of $10,000!

Students may apply for the practicum/internship stipend upon successful completion of a qualifying practicum/internship. Transcripts must be provided as proof of completion. Starting January 2023, monthly installments are no longer available.

Licensure Reimbursement

EOP participants applying for their initial school-based mental health license can apply to receive up to $300 in licensure reimbursement once they have obtained the license. To qualify for reimbursement, applicants must provide itemized receipts for the exam fee and licensure fee, plus their new license. If the $300 cap has not been met, applicants may also include receipts for official study materials. Applicants may not claim study materials without a corresponding exam and license fee.

*Licensure reimbursement is for initial licenses only. License renewals are not eligible for reimbursement.

*Study materials must be official publications or online resources specified for the license.

This is the post-grad material offered:

Salary Enhancement Stipend

Stipends are available to qualified school-based mental health providers employed in qualified schools/districts. If you have worked in a qualified school district in a licensed mental health role for one year or more (must be at least a master's level or above), you may apply to receive a stipend of $2,000. You may continue to apply for this stipend once per year for the life of the project. The amount of the stipend will increase by $500 each additional year for the life of the grant.

Licensure Reimbursement

EOP participants applying for their initial school-based mental health license can apply to receive up to $300 in licensure reimbursement once they have obtained the license. To qualify for reimbursement, applicants must provide itemized receipts for the exam fee and licensure fee, plus their new license. If the $300 cap has not been met, applicants may also include receipts for official study materials. Applicants may not claim study materials without a corresponding exam and license fee.

*Licensure reimbursement is for initial licenses only. License renewals are not eligible for reimbursement.

*Study materials must be official publications or online resources specified for the license.

The website for this information (from the state) can be found here: https://www.nmeop.com/ 

Counseling MA Information Sessions

Information sessions provide prospective students with general information regarding the Counselor Education Program and the application process as well as the opportunity to ask questions. Sessions are scheduled for the following dates via Zoom:

  • The date/time options are listed in the link below

Register for a session

For more information, please email ifce@unm.edu.

Information Session Presentation

Eligibility

Students who wish to qualify for EOP participation will need to be accepted and enrolled into the UNM Counseling Program, and on either the School Counseling or Dual Program academic tracks.  

Contact Information

Kristopher Goodrich, Professor of Counselor Education
kgoodric@unm.edu
505-277-2925