Mental Health Professional g.r.o. initiative

The mission of the Mental Health Professional  G.R.O. Initiative (Growth, Renewal, Outreach), in concert with the mission of the VA SMILE Foundation, is to expand opportunities for professional development, self-care, and networking to mental health professionals in our community while providing opportunities for mental health students / social work practitioners interaction in shared learning environments.

Goals:

G. – Growth: Assist mental health professionals in their professional growth by providing continuing education opportunities focused on contemporary mental health and social injustice issues in our communities.

R. – Renewal: Provide opportunities for mental health professionals to connect (and reconnect) with each other through events and activities designed to promote self-care and to strengthen professional relationships.

O. – Outreach: Expand mental health program outreach to under-served communities in our region to inform our curricular and continuing education offerings and to develop partnerships that will enhance student learning experiences.

 In our journey towards fostering a more empathetic, informed, and supportive society, the need for skilled, licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) has never been more critical. These professionals are on the front lines, offering mental health services, support for substance abuse recovery, and assistance to those experiencing life's most challenging moments. However, the path to becoming an LCSW, particularly the Clinical Exam, poses a significant hurdle for many due to its cost.

In March, 2024 our CEO-Dr. Gash, in an aim to bridge the mental health professional gap created LCSW Clinical Exam Sponsorship Campaign  by sponsoring aspiring social workers who are ready to take their LCSW Clinical Exam but are hindered by financial constraints. Funds raised directly sponsored exam fees. In collaboration with the Founder of Agents of Change (Meagan Mitchell) licensure preparation materials were provided for all the selected recipients for FREE.

*There were 134 mental health professionals who applied for the sponsorship and eight were selected.