A Healthy Investment

A new collaboration between Easterseals MORC and Oakland University’s social work and counseling programs through the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education and Human Services was announced at a ceremonial signing event on March 30. It comes as the number of openings for behavioral health professionals has outpaced the number of post-secondary students entering the workforce by nearly 50%, according to the Michigan Health Council.

Easterseals MORC provides services for children, adults, and seniors with disabilities and/or special needs as well as long-term care support to families. The nonprofit is one of the largest service providers of its kind in Michigan.

The Behavioral Health Workforce Development program is a new initiative based on a long-standing partnership between Easterseals MORC and OU. It will offer a unique scholarship opportunity and advanced training for students entering social work and counseling.

The agreement includes preferential acceptance for Easterseals MORC employees into Oakland University’s master of social work (MSW) program or counseling program, 25 paid internships for OU students with Easterseals MORC, and ten full-tuition scholarships for OU graduate students annually. The internships and scholarships are funded through an annual $500,000 investment from Easterseals MORC. Additionally, up to 50 Easterseals MORC employees per year will receive a 10% tuition discount to attend OU if pursuing an advanced degree in social work or counseling.

“We are excited about this program because it will allow us to open new learning opportunities and offer financial support for our students,” said Elaine Carey, dean of OU’s College of Arts and Sciences. “In turn, our students will graduate, have a career waiting with Easterseals MORC, and help address the current shortage of licensed mental health professionals.”

The partnership will help fortify the behavioral health workforce in two key clinical position areas and encourage more students to pursue social work and counseling careers. Students who accept a scholarship and complete required internship hours must commit to work for Easterseals MORC for a minimum of three years upon graduation.

“For the past several years, we’ve seen a growing demand for mental health services throughout the state, a situation that was further exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Brent Wirth, president and CEO of Easterseals MORC. “This new agreement will solidify a formal pipeline of talent that supports students seeking work in these fields, allow us to train and develop top-tier behavioral health professionals and help us retain them here in Michigan.”