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Richmond Graduate University says $200,000 ARPA award aided counseling interns and expanded low‑cost mental‑health services
Summary
Richmond Graduate University reported a $200,000 award supported stipends and scholarships for counseling interns; presenters said the funds enabled 29 interns across two years, produced more than 6,500 direct service hours and placed graduates at local sites serving underserved populations.
Dr. Stephanie Keane, assistant clinical training director at Richmond Graduate University’s Chattanooga campus, and Dr. Jaima White told the City Council that a $200,000 ARPA award funded fellowships, scholarships and internship supports for counseling students and alumni.
Keane said the program focused on three components: incoming student scholarships, internship-year awards to reduce the need for paid work while completing required clinical hours, and support to a recent graduate working toward licensure. The presentation said interns who received awards completed more than 6,500 direct‑service hours over two years and that 86% of the graduates were employed at sites serving underserved populations.
“Each different intern that received this award got $5,000 to be able to assist in expenses during their internship year,” Keane said, explaining awards were typically $5,000 though the transcript records variation in allocation between cohorts. Presenters said Richmond awarded the stipend to 16 interns the first year and 13 the second year (29 total) and that 100% of those interns graduated. Keane said awardees provided low‑cost or free counseling as part of their supervised clinical training at locations that include inpatient and outpatient behavioral health providers, domestic‑violence services, and community practices using DBT and CBT.
The presentation included two incoming‑student bridal scholarships (described as minority student scholarships) totaling $10,000 each for the academic year and support for a recent graduate placed at Chattanooga Preparatory School. The graduate described using grant funds for supervision fees and said the stipend allowed him to remain at the school, which primarily serves minority students and families.
Councilors asked about program sustainability; Keane said the award was one‑time ARPA funding, interns must still cobble together financial supports and the university encourages students to use financial aid and seek other grantees. The presentation was informational; no formal council vote or action was recorded.
