The award, part of the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s latest investment of $70 million to expand student access to school-based mental health services<\/a> across the nation, will support the implementation of Montclair\u2019s project, titled EPIC-MHP: Enhancing Preservice Instruction for Comprehensive Mental Health Provision (EPIC-MHP)<\/em>.<\/p>\n The project is a significant advancement in the unique partnership between Montclair and Local Education Agencies (LEA) of West Orange, East Orange, and Clifton that will allow for the recruitment, training, and retention of diverse and highly qualified and culturally responsive school psychologists who are well-prepared to meet the challenges of today\u2019s educational and mental health landscape.<\/p>\n The EPIC-MHP program fosters innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions to improve student outcomes and well-being in New Jersey. Over the next five years, it will enroll and train 60 school psychology graduate students in the Master\u2019s Degree in Clinical Psychology<\/a> with State Certification in School Psychology<\/a> and the innovative Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Certificate, designed to equip trainees with the specialized skill needed to provide quality mental health services in schools.<\/p>\n Each school psychology trainee will engage in structured, progressively challenging embedded fieldwork experiences designed to build competencies in school psychology and MTSS-driven mental health service delivery. Working closely with qualified school-based supervisors and Montclair faculty, trainees will learn to implement and monitor MTSS initiatives in their placements with the goal of creating a positive impact for district students while enhancing practical skill acquisition.<\/p>\n Graduates of the school psychology program will:<\/p>\n “Our goal is to prepare a new generation of school psychologists with the expertise to tackle the growing mental health challenges in our schools,” says State. “By embedding MTSS principles into their training, we are preparing them not only to provide direct mental health services but also to lead system wide initiatives that promote the well-being of all students.”<\/p>\n Adds Coyne, \u201cPaid practica and internships are crucial to ensuring that trainees receive quality experiences in local partner districts. It\u2019s wonderful to be able to reduce some of the financial burdens associated with school psychology training in New Jersey.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur ability to provide stipends is a game changer for our program and our students. Easing the financial barriers makes their career paths more accessible, especially for underrepresented groups within our cohorts.\u201d<\/p>\n The EPIC-MHP project illustrates the impact of effective and authentic collaboration between disciplines in CEEL and CHSS. This entrepreneurial and cross-college collaboration is consistent with ÌÇÐÄvlog\u2019s Strategic Plan 2025: Project Soar<\/a> and embodies the institution\u2019s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, emphasizing a transformative recruitment and training-to-employment pipeline. This initiative equips future school psychologists with the skills and knowledge necessary to address critical mental health and educational needs in diverse communities within the state of New Jersey.<\/p>\n Prospective Student \/ Parent:<\/strong> Plan a visit to our campus<\/a> and take the first step in applying to become a Red Hawk<\/a>!About the EPIC-MHP program<\/h2>\n
\n
Cross-collaboration at Montclair<\/h2>\n
![\"Headshot](\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2024\/12\/state-coyne.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\")
I\u2019m a ______, tell me more…<\/h2>\n
\nJournalist:<\/strong> Contact the Media Relations<\/a> team for assets or to schedule an interview with the researcher about this topic. See more Faculty Experts<\/a> and hi-res media assets<\/a> available for download.<\/p>\n