On September 1, Langston University’s Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Services began its “School to Work” program. They were able to start the program after receiving $1.25 million in funding from the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services. The master’s program focuses on building competent professionals to work at tackling the mental health crisis in minority youth and teens with disabilities.
“The situation is that minority youth and children with mental disabilities are less likely to receive the mental health services that they need to become independent, to transition from school to work, and to become productive, viable citizens in America,” said Dr. Corey L. Moore, Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Services.
The funding is spent to cover tuition and stipends for OSERS scholars and build resources for the program. The program teaches subjects such as medical aspects of people with disabilities, ethics, theories of rehabilitation counseling, and offers training on mental health services for children with special needs. One OSERS scholarship recipient, Mik’Quan Deane, has been connecting with the courses and enjoying them. He expressed deep interest and excitement for the continuation of his education from the program.
“Within this program, and you know, the outlines and the stuff that we’re going over right now is so deep it, you know, it has so much value into it that is helping me shape my life differently…. this has been, like, the best experience” said Deane.
The program’s funding started with a federal grant proposal. The department’s team of grant writers put together the proposal after a request came in looking for universities to partner with local education agencies to serve minority communities with disabilities.
“We kind of started writing or thinking about it, like back in November when the request for a proposal came out. And so, when you have opportunities for grants, you look for requests for proposals, and so when you find a quick request for proposal, it typically tells you what they are asking for,” said Dr. Philip Lewis, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator.
The process took approval from multiple levels. The process can be a very competitive one, but the university was able to secure the $1.5 million dollar request.
According to the CDC, health disparities are more common in minority individuals. They are directly caused by educational inequalities, poverty and inadequate access to health care.
“We decided that we’re going to train our mental health counselors to be better prepared to work with those specialized needs of those children that often come from broken backgrounds, being single parent home, emotional setbacks, those who have more stressors than others. Usually they are from the lower SES, socioeconomic status… we need more individuals that are just as reflective providing the services as compared to the ones receiving the services,” said Lewis.
Ciera Agee
Ciera Agee is a junior broadcast journalism major
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