Public Mental Health and Substance Use Program (PMHSU)

social worker sitting at desk

The Department of Social Work receives funding each year from the Utah legislature with the goal of increasing service capacity in our public sector. The Social Work Department administers these funds to students (undergraduates and graduates) who are preparing for careers working in publicly supported mental health and substance use treatment agencies. In exchange for receiving financial support, BSW and MSW graduates are required to complete their practicum in a Public Mental Health and Substance Use (PMHSU) setting, and then after graduation, seek employment at a PMHSU agency within the state. The work commitment is 12 months of full-time employment for every $5,000 awarded. Students will not be required to pay back any money as long as they meet all of the eligibility requirements (see below).

Please direct questions to the PMHSU Administration:

PMHSU Funding

Bachelor students who complete their practicum at a PMHSU agency are eligible for $5000 of funding during their senior year. Master’s students who complete their practicum at a PMHSU agency are eligible for $10,000. Students in the 3-year program must complete two practicums and therefore, if both practicums are completed with a qualifying agency, they may be eligible for $20,000.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Qualifying Field Placement. Program participants must complete a Qualifying Field Placement during their pursuit of a Qualifying Degree. During the Qualifying Field Placement, students must maintain a satisfactory or above performance evaluation, complete all assigned practicum duties, maintain regular and predictable attendance, and must not be subject to corrective or disciplinary action by USU or the Qualified Field Placement facility.
  • Qualifying Degree. Participants must complete a Qualifying Degree within six years of initially receiving funds.
  • Qualifying Job. Participants must work in a Qualifying Job in the state of Utah for one full year for each $5,000 received. For example, if a participant receive a total loan amount of $10,000, then they must work in a Qualifying Job for two full years.

Qualifying Field Placements and Jobs

Students must complete their practicum and work requirement in a public agency. Qualifying agencies are divided into two tiers:

  • First-tier agencies are the county treatment authorities. Generally, these are the Medicaid-approved providers for the county. You can view the the treatment authorities by county.
  • Second-tier agencies are any public agency offering mental health or substance use services. Such agencies may include schools, domestic violence shelters, and the VA Hospital. Second-tier agencies are determined by the department and criteria used for determination may include the proportion of Medicaid clients served by the agency; the number of public contracts the agency has with the state to provide free or sliding scale services; and the degree to which the agency reduces financial barriers for clients. Keep in mind the intent of this funding is to provide a Utah workforce who is serving Medicaid-eligible, financially vulnerable and underserved populations. Private, for-profit agencies are not qualifying placements or jobs.

Application Procedure

  • Notify your field faculty coordinator at your campus during the practicum placement process so they can look for opportunities for placement with qualifying agencies.
  • Review the promissory note to ensure you understand the terms of funding and repayment.
  • Complete an interest survey (completion of interest survey, which serves as the application, does not guarantee an award).

Additional Information

If I fill out the survey and get placed in a PMHSU setting, does that mean I’m guaranteed to receive funding?

Awards will be prioritized by first-tier practicum placements, and community need (rural, low-funded counties). After students placed in a first-tier agency are selected, if there are remaining awards, those placed in second-tier agencies will again be prioritized by community need.

I want to move out of Utah after graduation. Can I work at a PMHSU agency in another state?

Funding for this program comes from the Utah legislature to increase PMHSU treatment capacity within the state. Therefore, awardees will need to work in the state of Utah in order to fulfill the employment requirement.

As a BSW student, how much money am I eligible to receive?

BSW students selected for the program will receive $5000.

As an MSW student, how much money am I eligible to receive?

MSW students who are selected for the program and complete one practicum in a PMHSU setting will receive a total of $10,000. MSW students who are selected for the program and complete two practicums in a PMHSU setting will receive a total of $20,000. Students are required to apply each year, and an initial award does not guarantee that you will be awarded a second time.

How long do I have to work in a PMHSU setting after graduation?

Every $5000 awarded comes with a 1-year post-graduation work requirement.

How will I accept an award if offered?

Awardees will sign a promissory note. The promissory note is a written agreement indicating that you will fulfill the education and work requirements of the program, or pay back the money you were awarded.

Does the money come in installments, or a lump sum?

The money will be posted to your student account as a lump sum before Fall semester.

How do I prove I’m working in a qualifying agency after graduation?

5 months after graduation, a staff member of USU’s Social Work Department will send you the Employment Verification Authorization Release (EVAR) form, which you will need to have your employer fill out and return on your behalf. You will be required to provide an updated EVAR yearly until the work requirement is complete. Be sure the department always has updated contact information for you!

What happens if I can’t secure a job in public mental health or substance use?

We don’t anticipate this will be a problem! That said, you should be sure to document to which jobs you apply, and the reason(s) you were not able to secure employment. This information will be considered should you decide to appeal your repayment.

Q: If I choose not to work in a PMHSU setting after graduation and therefore have to pay back loan money, what will the interest be?

The loan has a 5% interest rate.

If I choose not to work in a PMHSU setting after graduation and therefore have to pay back loan money, what will my payments be?

Several factors are considered, including if your rate will be pro-rated (in the event that you completed part of the work requirement, but not all), any major life or health events impacting your ability to repay, your income, etc. You will receive an amortization schedule when payments are to begin.