STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—The Ohio Department of Higher Education awarded Franciscan University of Steubenville the Great Minds Fellowship Program grant. The grant provides approximately $200,000 in scholarships—up to $10,000 each for Ohio residents entering their junior and senior years in Franciscan’s Social Work Program.

“This grant arrives at a crucial moment for all Ohioans,” said Dr. Ricardo Chaparro-Pacheco, assistant professor of social work and director of the Social Work Program at Franciscan University. “Over 20 percent of the population needs support from professional social workers to deal with mental health challenges.”

According to Ohio state statistics, there has been a 353 percent surge in demand for mental health services, while the workforce has only grown by 174 percent, making social work one of the fastest-growing fields within the helping professions.

“The scholarships offered through this grant will empower future social workers, enabling them to meet the rising demand, improve access to vital services, and build a healthier, more resilient community,” Chaparro-Pacheco added.

“Our seniors go to their field placements after three years of intensive training in social work theory and practice,” said Father Luke Robertson, TOR, professor of social work at Franciscan. “In their placements, they witness to their faith in a very immediate and powerful way to clients who are greatly in need of prayer, support, and guidance.”

For over 30 years, the Social Work Program at Franciscan University has been instrumental in promoting the well-being of Ohio’s families and communities through the successful placement and supervision of the University’s students in internships. These opportunities offer over 400 hours of real-world work experience in Ohio’s Community Behavioral Health Centers and other establishments such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and law enforcement agencies.

To be eligible for this scholarship, students must reside in Ohio, have enrolled in Franciscan’s Social Work Program, and plan to enter the behavioral health care workforce within the next one or two years.

“We hope all eligible students apply and take advantage of this exceptional opportunity that not only supports their academic journey but also aids in their transition into the professional area of behavioral health care,” said Chaparro-Pacheco.

The purpose of the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Great Minds Fellowship Program is to grow high-quality training and academic programs in Ohio’s two- and four-year colleges and universities that educate professionals to fill the unmet need for behavioral health services in home and community-based settings.