Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) Program

doctoral level schools and programs of health service psychology and APA-accredited doctoral internships in health service psychology to provide didactic and experiential training to students and interns interested in working with the target populations in clinical psychology practice.  Didactic and experiential (practicum and internship) trainings must focus on providing behavioral health services to the target populations, and emphasize competency-based practices in the integration of behavioral health care into primary care and public health.  Trainings also should focus on evidence-based treatments (EBT), military cultural competence, and innovative methods, such as telehealth, to reach and provide behavioral health services to target populations. As required by Section 750(a) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, GPE-funded programs must be implemented in collaboration with two or more health disciplines. Program Requirements GPE grantees will help to close the gap in access to behavioral health care services for military personnel, veterans, and their families by increasing the number of clinically trained psychologists who work with these populations. Applicants must apply as either an accredited doctoral school and program or doctoral internship program.  Grantees will be expected to use funds for the following activities: 1)      Recruit and provide stipend support to full-time doctoral health service psychology interns and students while in internships and practica for no more than 12 consecutive months, who intend to work with military personnel, veterans, and their families during training and following program completion. 2)      Increase the number of practicum and internship slots beyond current training capacity. 3)      Develop and implement interprofessional training and integration of behavioral health with primary care and public health in collaboration with two or more health disciplines. 4)      Develop or enhance didactic and experiential training programs that train doctoral students and interns in competency-based practices in integration of behavioral health care into primary care and public health, EBT, military culture competence, and innovative methods, such as telehealth, to reach and provide behavioral health services to military personnel, veterans, and their families in civilian and community-based settings, including those in rural areas. 5)      Evaluate the program, collect needed program information, and disseminate findings to appropriate audiences. Stipend Support  Stipend support is allowed for: 1)      Full time interns in APA-accredited doctoral internship programs in health service psychology that focuses on the target population.  Interns shall receive a stipend in the amount of $22,920 per year or $1,910 per month for one year.  This is a fixed amount.  2)      Full time doctoral students in APA-accredited doctoral schools and programs in health service psychology in practica that focus on the target population.  Doctoral students in practica for 10 or more hours per week, per academic semester shall receive a stipend in the amount of $10,000 per semester up to $20,000 total stipend payment for one year.  This is a fixed amount.   No more than one (1) year or 12 consecutive months of stipend support is allowed per student/intern.  In the event that a student terminates early from the grant program, the stipend must be prorated according to the amount of time spent in training and the grantee should contact HRSA to discuss options for the remaining stipend funds.  Stipends must be paid at the stated level.  The payment of stipend must also be consistent with institutional policy, with regards to payment schedule and procedures. Applicants must provide a copy of a student/intern commitment letter template, through which students/interns will commit to complete a practicum placement or internship, and their plan to pursue a career working with military personnel, veterans, and their families.  Applicants are to include a copy of the student/intern commitment letter template as Attachment 11. Focus Areas Interns and practica students to the greatest extent possible, must engage in serving military personnel, veterans, and their families.  Didactic and experiential training must include learning about and exposure to military language, culture, experiences and the demands of being in the military, and specific behavioral and physical health conditions impacting these populations and their families.   Applicants must demonstrate how they will implement interprofessional training and integration of behavioral health with primary care and public health in collaboration with two or more health disciplines. The Lead Project Director must dedicate a minimum of 20 percent of time (may be in-kind or funded) to grant activities, and is encouraged to have a minimum of three years of experience in the education and training of behavioral health service psychologists. Program funds can be used for stipend support for interns and doctoral students, faculty development, curriculum and instructional design, program content enhancement, program infrastructure development, and supervision and training support for students and interns.  Applicants should be committed to increasing diversity in health professions training programs and the health workforce.  This commitment helps ensure, to the extent possible, that the workforce reflects the diversity of the nation.  Training programs should develop the competencies and skills needed for intercultural understanding and expand cultural fluency, recognizing that bringing people of diverse backgrounds and experiences together, facilitates innovative and strategic practices that enhance the health of all people.