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Council approves $2 million to reopen Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathway scholarships
Summary
The Opioid Abatement Council approved a two-year, $2 million allocation to reopen the Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathway Scholarship program to fund master’s-level behavioral health trainees required to work for state-approved treatment agencies after graduation.
The Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council voted to allocate $2 million over two years to reopen and expand the Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathway Scholarship, a program that pays tuition for graduate-level behavioral health students who commit to work for Department-funded treatment agencies after they complete their degrees.
Matt (department staff) told the council the program was originally funded with $3 million from a special legislative appropriation in 2023 and that it has awarded scholarships to nearly 100 students as of January 2025. The OAC presentation said the average scholarship awarded so far is about $17,000 per student. The department and administering partners — including the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations (TAMHO) and the Tennessee Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services (TADAS) — said demand has been high: more than 800 applications were received during the initial portal opening.
The scholarship pays tuition and related costs in return for a work commitment. Recipients must be Tennessee residents and must agree to work for a Department-funded mental health and substance-abuse treatment agency for a period commensurate with the award. Council and department staff said the requirement is intended to place trained providers in the public behavioral-health workforce and to reduce vacancy and turnover among treatment agencies. Staff reported a combined 21% reduction in vacancy rates among participating TAMHO and TADAS member agencies that have hired scholarship recipients.
During discussion council members asked whether nurse practitioner 'bridge' programs — combined RN-to-practitioner tracks — would be eligible. Staff said the original program focused on master’s-level behavioral-health clinicians (counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychiatric nursing) because master's-level clinicians represent the largest anticipated workforce shortfall, and federal loan-forgiveness programs do not cover many of those roles. Some members urged later consideration of expanded eligibility for certain NP bridge pathways; others cautioned that changes should not be made hastily.
The motion to allocate $2 million over two years passed by roll call. The motion specified that the council would follow the scholarship's existing rules and the program's partner organizations would administer funds and recruitment. Staff said additional state and American Rescue Plan funds have already been used to expand the initial program, and the council's contribution would allow the portal to reopen to remaining applicants.
Council members asked staff to return with a precise accounting of how any award would affect other grant cycles and with details on administration and eligibility as the portal reopens.
