Social workers are vital front line workers of the interprofessional healthcare ecosystem of Detroit, partnering with allied health professionals to address the social determinants of health and improve patient outcomes in our urban community. For nearly a decade the Wayne State University School of Social Work has partnered with community organizations, allied health professionals, alumni, faculty and students to provide valuable urban interprofessional student training experiences in Detroit. 

Community organizations interested in participating in the School's existing interprofessional collaborations or working to establish a new one should contact the Clinical IPE Program Manager, Kristi Andreski Price at kandreski@wayne.edu.

Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET)

The purpose of the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program (BHWET) is to develop and expand the behavioral health workforce serving populations across the lifespan, including in rural and medically underserved areas. Tuition stipends are available and spots are limited. Be sure to indicate your interest when you fill out the IPT! *Note: participating agencies will make final decision regarding students accepted into the program. Information regarding program acceptance will be sent out in July/August* For more information contact Kate Oleksiak at ay8826@wayne.edu.

Eligibility

BHWET is open to MSW students who are completing their advanced/final year internship placements in the fall and are...

• Passionate about working with underserved communities
• Committed to working in the behavioral health field
• Interested in physical and mental healthcare focused on at-risk children, adolescents and transitional aged youth

Community Homeless Interprofessional Program (CHIP)

The Community Homeless Interprofessional Program (CHIP) is a student-run clinic that partners with the Cathedral Church of St. Paul to provide education and resources primarily to people without housing. The clinic is run once a month on Sundays. Learn more

Eligibility

CHIP is open to both BSW and MSW students with a desire to collaborate with allied health professional students and faculty from pharmacy, medicine, and physical therapy.

The Detroit Tri-County Social Work Health Career Opportunity Academy

The goal of The Detroit Tri-County Social Work Health Career Opportunity Academy (The Academy) is to prepare current and future allied health and social work professionals to provide culturally responsive health care in the Detroit Tri-County area. The Academy provides academic, economic, and social support to community college and undergraduate students from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. The Academy offers three structured programs wherein students participate in seminars, self-guided learning activities, clinical training opportunities, case management, and mentorship. Participants receive a $2,100 scholarship and a $2,100 stipend. Participants will complete between 120 - 180 hours of training depending on the selected program. 

Eligibility

• Interested in healthcare social work
• From an educationally or economically disadvantaged background as determined by HRSA criteria
• Minimum GPA of 2.5
• Participants must be a citizen, non-citizen national of the United States, an individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States, or any other “qualified alien” under section 431(b) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-193, as amended. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible to receive HCOP financial support through the program.
• If transferring from a community college, participants will need a minimum of 30 transferrable credits to support their readiness to move toward application to the BSW program.
  • For the Ambassadors Program: Applicants may alternatively be a current junior or senior in the BSW program at Wayne State University. 
  • For the Summer and Adult Learner Programs: Applicants may alternatively be allied health professions degree students at Macomb Community College, Oakland Community College, or Wayne County Community College District. Or, currently a junior or senior in the BSW program at Wayne State University. 

Interprofessional Team Home Visit Program (IPTV)

There are nearly 90,000 older adults residing in Detroit and the numbers continue to grow. Working with older adults presents a variety of opportunities and challenges in our urban environment. For over 10 years this interdisciplinary program has brought together WSU students from social work, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and dental students from the University of Detroit Mercy to care for older adults. Students learn how to assess an older adult's health and social needs and to participate in an interdisciplinary team home visit environment. In conjunction with the Social Work Practice Methods II course, students in the bachelors of social work program (BSW) participate in IPTV during their winter semester. Learn more

Eligiblity

BSW students should contact their Social Work Practice Methods II course instructor for more details.

Michigan Earn, Learn, and Serve in Schools (Mi-ELSiS)

Michigan Earn, Learn, and Serve in Schools (Mi-ELSiS) is a groundbreaking initiative designed to address the shortage of mental health professionals in high-need school districts across Michigan. This innovative program benefits graduate-level trainees and seeks to create lasting positive change within these underserved communities. It results from a federal grant awarded by the US Department of Education to the Michigan Department of Education. Students receiving Mi-ELSiS awards are required to work in a public school for not less than 1 school year post-graduation.

Eligiblity

Mi-ELSiS is open to MSW students who are completing their advanced/final year internship placements in the fall and are:

• Passionate about working with underserved communities
• Committed to working in high risk schools across Michigan
• Agree to work in a public school for not less than 1 year post graduation

Michigan Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship

The Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship is an opportunity to provide additional resources and support to students committed to working in Michigan’s Child Welfare System - Children’s Protective Services, Foster Care, Licensing and Adoption. The aim of this program is to recruit, retain and educate students to be leaders in the field of child welfare. The fellowship includes requirements for course work and practicum education. Additionally, fellows will receive a stipend. Students will be contractually obligated to search for and accept employment in public, private, or tribal child welfare agencies in the State of Michigan upon graduation.

Eligibility

All full- and part-time MSW students willing to complete the fellowship requirements including coursework, practicum placement, and mandatory work payback are eligible to apply.

SMART Internship Program

The Student Mental Health Apprenticeship Retention and Training (SMART) Program aims to address a shortage of school-based mental health professionals in high-risk schools across Michigan. By providing student-led mental health services, it helps meet the growing demand for emotional support among students affected by stress, trauma, social isolation, and anxiety resulting from pandemic-related adjustments.  The SMART grant supports MSW social work student training and internship practicum supervision. Funding is designated for both first year MSW student interns as well as returning, second year/advanced standing interns, enrolled in graduate-level mental health professional programs and supervised in qualified public school practicum internships.  Students receiving SMART awards are required to work in a public school for not less than 3 school years post-graduation.

Eligibility

SMART is open to MSW students who are completing their first or advanced/final year internship placements in the fall and are:

• Passionate about working with underserved communities
• Committed to working in high risk schools across Michigan
• Agree to work in a public school for not less than 3 years post graduation