Fairfield University has received grant funding from the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program (BHWET). The BHWET grant will deliver financial support, enhanced education, and specialized internship training in integrated, team-based care to 103 competitively selected students in six of Fairfield’s behavioral health masters’ programs; who are committed to providing evidence-based behavioral health services in underserved areas upon graduation.

Click the picture below to watch a short video and learn more about the FCHC Scholars Program!

The purpose of the FCHC (Fairfield University Collaborates for a Healthier Connecticut) Scholars Program:

Deliver $10,000 Stipend to students in six behavioral health masters’ programs at Fairfield University (Master of Social Work (MSW), Marriage &Family Therapy (MFT), Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (Psych NP), School Psychology, and School Counseling) during their final year of internship experience
Enhanced education
Support specialized internship training in integrated, team-based care

Through student recruitment, workforce development, and specialized training for educators and community partners caring for vulnerable populations, the FCHC Scholars Program has the ultimate goal of improving the health and behavioral health of underserved populations in Southern and Central Connecticut.

How to apply for Grant:

We would like to thank everyone who submitted their applications for academic year 2023-2024. The application cycle is now officially closed.

Please check back for updates regarding applications for academic year 2024-2025!

For additional Information please email: FCHC-Scholars@fairfield.edu

Alumni Highlight

Highlighted Community Partners for Internship Sites in Medically Underserved Areas

We are always looking to partner with additional organizations that provide collaborative care in historically underserved communities. Please email us at fchc-scholars@fairfield.edu with questions or to express interest in connecting with the FCHC Scholars Program.

Bridges Healthcare Milford, CT	Bridgeport Hospital Primary Care Center Bridgeport, CT	The Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut Stamford, CT	The Child and Family Guidance Bridgeport, CT
Clifford Beers New Haven, CT	Center for Family Justice Bridgeport, CT	LifeBridge Community Services Fairfield, CT & Bridgeport, CT	Koslow Center Fairfield, CT
Liberation Programs Bridgeport, CT	McCall Center for Behavioral Health Torrington, CT	MCCA (Midwestern Connecticut Council of Alcoholism, Inc) Bridgeport, CT & Danbury, CT	Masonicare Wallingford, CT
Rushford Hartford Healthcare Middletown, CT & Meriden, CT	The Rowan Center Stamford, CT	Southwest Community Health Center Bridgeport, CT	Stamford Hospital Stamford, CT
Triangle Community Care Center Norwalk, CT	Turkey Hill School Orange, CT	Wakelee Elementary School Wolcott, CT	Wellmore Behavioral Center Waterbury, CT
Yale Child Study Center New Haven, CT	VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven, CT	Hartford Healthcare/Integrated Partners Torrington, CT	Recovery Network of Programs Bridgeport, CT
St. Vincent's Behavioral Health Bridgeport, CT

Fairfield University Grant Staff Members

Project Director: Julie Berrett-Abebe, PhD, LICSW (MA)

Assistant Professor, Department of Family Therapy & Social WorkSchool of Education and Human Development

Project Evaluator: Jocelyn Novella, Ph.D., LPC, ACS, BC-TMH

Assistant Professor, Counselor EducationCo-Director, Clinical TrainingSchool of Education and Human Development

Project Coordinator: Michelle Pagnotta, LPC (MA)

Adjunct Faculty, Counselor Education

Graduate Assistant: Breana Adelman, MSW Student

School of Education & Human Development

2022 Graduate Catalogue

We are pleased to provide you with a copy of our 2022 Graduate Catalogue for our Fairfield University FCHC (Fairfield University Collaborates for a Healthier Connecticut) Scholars!

Revised Grad Catalogue1 (4-27-22).pdf

Program Highlights

On May 1, 2023, our second cohort of FCHC Scholars completed their final training and received certificates of completion.

Congrats to all of our graduates!

On March 10, 2022, FCHC Scholars in the CMHC, MFT, MSW and PMHNP programs provided a continuing education training at Lifebridge Community Services in Bridgeport, CT. Lifebridge is a valued community partner and internship site. The presentation focused on understanding and addressing trauma in clinical practice.

Nat Bush MSW student and 2021-2022 FCHC Scholar is a 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Vision award winner! Congratulations to Nat Bush on behalf of Fairfield University SEHD we are proud of you.

Check out “Nat Bush, MSW '22 | 2022 MLK VISION AWARDS” by clicking thumbnail below!

If you like this video, make sure you share it, too!

This Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Grant is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant # 1 M01HP41966-01-00 for $1,615,932, entitled the FCHC Scholars Program. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government

FCHC (Fairfield University Collaborates for a Healthier Connecticut) Scholars Home Page