Education Fund

Supporting career growth for those interested in becoming a licensed behavioral health provider

The Summit County Behavioral Health Education Fund

The Goal

The Summit County Behavioral Health Education Fund supports career growth, workforce development, and retention within the behavioral health field. The program promotes equity and access by helping individuals who live/work in Summit County pursue education and licensure in the behavioral health field.

Through these educational awards, the fund aims to reduce a critical gap in Summit County’s behavioral health system — increasing the number of licensed therapists, case managers, and other mental health professionals, and ultimately expanding access to care and strengthening community resources.

The Summit County Behavioral Health Education Fund Committee manages the application and approval process. The application is a rolling, online application and is open year-round. Applications will be reviewed and awards made every other month by the Committee.

Application Includes:

Contact information
Demographic information
Proof of acceptance in the behavioral health-related educational program or certification
Documentation of the training requested
The need for tuition assistance and why you are a good candidate
Financial Information (invoice and institution payment process)
Request amount with annual budget of full costs of education/need
Letter of recommendation/nomination
Resume

Behavioral Health Education Fund Committee: The Committee is responsible for reviewing applications and making awards, and will approve applicants based on priority point (see below). The Committee includes professionals from the FIRC, Building Hope, and Elevated Community Health.

Qualifications: This opportunity is open to aspiring mental health professionals who live or work in Summit County and who currently work at a non-profit or mental health organization (i.e., admin staff, peers, therapists), with priority given to fill gaps in community mental health services (i.e. bilingual/bicultural providers, providers seeking training in needed specialties). Eligibility qualifications include:

A Resident or worker of Summit County
Current employment/internship at a non-profit or mental health organization
Commitment to remain working as a mental health professional within Summit County for 2 years post-educational pathway completion
Complete 2 progress check-ins with mentor per year
Complete 1 written report per year
Serve as a mentor for 1 year to a future applicant

Please reach out to info@buildinghopesummit.org if you are unsure if you meet the program requirements or for resources on internship/volunteer opportunities in the community.

Failure to meet the 2 year employment commitment will result in repayment of funds. To verify employment commitment, recipients may be required to submit a short employment verification report each year. Applications will be prioritized using the following scoring rubric (please note this rubric may shift to align with changing community needs):

Priority points given to (0-4):

- - Bilingual (+1)
  - Bicultural (+1)
  - Masters level applicants closer to graduation (+1)
  - Serves specialty population or fills gap in mental health services in Summit County (+1)
    - LGBTQ+
    - Children (0-12 yrs)
    - Youth (12-20 yrs)
    - Seniors

Financial Support can range between $2,001-$10,000 per year. Applicants will need to provide an invoice to verify the expense. Invoice must be submitted to finance@buildinghopesummit.org and EducationFund@buildinghopesummit.org at least 30 days prior to payment due date. Funds may be used to work towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in the mental health field or in some cases to hone skills, or to focus on training to meet a particular populations’ needs (i.e., LGBTQ+, Children, Youth, Senior, Immigrant/Spanish Speaking populations). Applicants will apply per semester or quarter.

Awardee is responsible for satisfying all tax and other government imposed responsibilities including but not limited to, payment of state, federal and social security taxes. No federal, state or local taxes of any kind shall be withheld or paid by Building Hope.

Administrative: Award recipients will complete a contract agreement that outlines the requirements to receive funds and are responsible for providing all back up documentation including, but not limited to, financial information, letter of recommendation, and progress reports. Failure to complete the agreement, progress reports, or to provide requested documentation will result in disqualification from receiving funding.

Capacity Development & Commitment: Receiving funding will not guarantee or match participants with employment opportunities in Summit County. It is the responsibility of the recipient to pursue and maintain employment to fulfill the Contract Agreement.

Payment:

Payment to institution: Award funds will be sent directly to the higher education institution or to the provider of training or certificate programs. Funds cannot be paid directly to award recipients as reimbursement. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide all required information to ensure payment can be sent in a timely manner.
Applications will be reviewed every other month by the Committee, it is the responsibility of the applicant to apply timely to ensure that approval is determined prior to the start of training or certification program or to the start of the school semester.

Program Updates: The Summit County Behavioral Health Education Fund program requirements, eligibility requirements, awards amounts, and more, may change as the program evolves & develops to best fit the needs of the community and its applicants.