Thanks to a partnership with Colorado Department of Human Services and Behavioral Health Administration, Lokiten Behavioral Health is offering a scholarship opportunity for veterans looking to enter the mental healthcare field called The Frontline Future Initiative.
"A lot of them don't want to reach out or ask for help, and when they do, they really want to talk to other veterans or other folks who have experience in that industry," Army veteran and co-founder of Lokiten Behavioral Health James Garofolo said.
The initiative offers up to $50,000 towards tuition costs for those looking to serve in the mental health field.
"One of the shortages that we see is the military cultural competence. What I mean by that is, we hear those who have served say I don't want to be seen by a civilian provider because they just don't understand," Director of Behavioral Health at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center Kirsten Belaire said.
Mt. Carmel isn't the only organization that likes the program. Next Chapter, a veteran wellness community collaboration with UCHealth, also thinks the Frontline Future is a great idea.
"I think if we have a program that is designed to help recruit veterans to get trained up to go to school, get their graduate degree, get licensed, and then turn around and serve their brothers and sister veterans, it's an exceptional opportunity and I'm really happy it's happening here in our region," Next Chapter's program director Damian McCabe said.
In order to qualify candidates must be:
- Honorably discharged from any U.S. Military branch
- Pursuing a graduate or professional degree in a mental health field (PsyD, PhD, MSW, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Psychiatry MD, DO, PMNHP, etc)
- Maintaining a 3.0 GPA
- Willing to go through a panel interview
- Willing to complete a questionnaire
- Willing to go through a background check
- Willing to submit a detailed personal statement
In order to apply, candidates must:
- Submit proof of military service (DD-214) and academic transcript
- Include a detailed personal statement (1-3 pages) discussing the influence of military service on their interest in mental health, long-term aspirations and commitment to veteran advocacy
You can submit these documents on the Frontline Future Initiative website.