Develop a deep understanding of the relationship between behavioral health (mental health, substance use) and physical health while completing your practicum placement with the largest healthcare provider in the region.
Watch the video: Why the Roth Fellowship is right for me: Nichole Sheets
Applications will be reviewed until March 1, 2024.
*The Roth Fellowship will no longer accept applications for BASW or Generalist MSW students*
Eligible Roth candidates are:
- Second year MSW, or advanced standing, full-time, students and in good academic standing.
- Willing to travel to different regions in Allegheny County. Travel is required for placement with the UPMC Health Plan and having a car (or access to one) is required for this placement.
- Students demonstrating a strong academic performance.
Stipends per academic level
- Second year or Advanced Standing students will receive a stipend of $10,000.
PROGRAM BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS
- Training Stipend: $10,000
- Skill development in practicum sites over two semesters at the UPMC Health Plan, one of the largest providers of healthcare-related employment in the region.
- Gain experience working in interdisciplinary teams (for example, Pediatrics, Gerontology, Maternal Health, etc.) addressing and mitigating the social determinants of health that impede many Health Plan members’ ability to engage in treatment.
- Focus on a range of treatment modalities to address issues such as substance use disorders, chronic disease management, poverty, social isolation, and access to health education.
- Roth Fellows will be required to attend a monthly seminar. These seminars are part of your practicum hours.
Field Placement Options
The Roth Fellow will complete a practicum placement at the UPMC Health Plan in one of the following areas:
- The UPMC Health Plan Community Team: This practicum placement offers students a variety of clinical experiences to functioning as a social worker care manager on an integrated care team (with social workers, nurses and community health workers). The Community Team conducts a comprehensive assessment of member needs with consideration of the social determinants of health and exploring The Eight Dimensions of Health (SAMSHA).
Care Management interventions may include:
- Linkage with a PCP, specialists and/or behavioral health provider, medication management, referral for in home supports, housing, transportation (MATP).
- Linkage with community resources.
- Addressing end of life issues (Advanced Directives, Hospice, Palliative Care).
- Community Care Behavioral Health Organization: This practicum placement offers students a variety of clinical experiences at a nonprofit, recovery-oriented, behavioral health managed care organization contracted by the UPMC Health Plan.
Care Management interventions may include:
- Attending case conferences, inter-agency and provider treatment planning meetings for assigned members.
- Collaborating with providers and others to obtain initial assessment, treatment planning and aftercare planning for members.
- Conducting clinical reviews, service authorization and care coordination (or oversight and supervision) for all assigned members receiving behavioral health services.
- Developing specific outreach plans for assigned members who do not maintain regular contact with their behavioral health provider as recommended contributing to frequent crises, recidivism, and interfering with maximum benefit from available care.
- Facilitating linkages for members and families between primary care and behavioral health providers and other social service or provider agencies as needed to develop and coordinate service plans.
Participation Commitments
Students are required to:
- Complete the required number of practicum work hours at the UPMC Health Plan and/or partner agencies.
- Complete all paperwork, clearances, and trainings required by the Health Plan.
- Participate in evaluations and reports for the Roth fellowship and the UPMC Health Plan.
- Attendance at all monthly seminars
Read the 2020-2021 Annual Report
Contact Information
For more information or questions contact:
Kelsey Ott-Sudik, Roth Fellowship Coordinator