Trained social workers are at the forefront of addressing a significant mental and behavioral health need in Northeast Ohio—particularly when it comes to substance abuse. That’s part of the reasoning behind the new strategic partnerships between local nonprofit organizations and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.
The Mandel School has signed new agreements with area service providers—Catholic Charities; Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities; FrontLine Service; Murtis Taylor Human Services; Ohio GuideStone; and Wingspan Care Group—aimed at recruiting and training diverse leaders of service workers in its top-ranked Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Prospective students will be eligible for 50% scholarships.
The goal is to enroll about 10 employees from each of the six organizations into the school, noting that part-time classes and weekend MSW programs are also available. Because according to a report published by the National Institutes of Health, economists expect a shortage of 195,000 social workers in the U.S. by 2030.
Catholic Charities
As one of the largest comprehensive health and human services organizations in the region, Catholic Charities carries out the healing and helping mission of Jesus in Northeast Ohio. The organization delivers more than 150 services at 60 locations to over 400,000 individuals each year—providing help and creating hope for people of every race and religion throughout the eight counties in the Diocese of Cleveland (Ashland, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit and Wayne).
"Catholic Charities is honored to partner with Case Western Reserve University to provide our colleagues and caregivers with professional development opportunities ranked among the best in the nation. Earning an advanced social work degree from the Mandel School at CWRU is a distinction highly regarded in our areas of service. From prevention, mental health and substance use treatment to family, children and community services, Catholic Charities’ workforce serves 400,000 unique individuals across Northeast Ohio each year."
– Christine Horne, MNAL, LSW, Senior Director of Organizational Development
Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Cuyahoga DD), established in 1967, strives to support and empower people of all ages who have a developmental disability and reside in Cuyahoga County to live, learn, work and play in the community. Cuyahoga DD is part of the state's developmental disabilities' system, which is overseen by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD). DODD certifies both people (independent providers) and agencies that provide an array of services directly to people with developmental disabilities.
FrontLine Service
FrontLine Service helps those who are homeless, severely mentally disabled, in psychiatric crisis or have been traumatized by violence in their home or community. In operation since 1988, they provide the largest and most comprehensive continuum of care for homeless persons in Ohio. FrontLine Service's homeless assistance programs provide assertive street outreach, coordinated intake to the county’s emergency shelters, temporary housing, case management, psychiatric and drug and alcohol programming for individuals with co-occurring disorders, and permanent supportive housing.
"The FrontLine Service Scholars program is a result of the agency's anti-racism work that recognizes the need to lower one of the most significant barriers employees of color face when pursuing career advancement. FrontLine is thrilled to partner with Case Western Reserve University to provide professional development, elevate services in our community and take steps toward diversifying FrontLine’s leadership."
– Meredith Black, Director of Human Resources
Murtis Taylor Human Services System
Murtis Taylor Human Services System is a county-wide United Way charitable organization that provides behavioral health, addiction, youth, family and senior services. They have been serving the community since 1948, working to help more than 10,000 children and adults annually at nine locations achieve a better quality of life and a healthier community through engagement, teamwork and commitment.
"This is a transformative multi-year collaboration providing educational opportunities and benefits to our current and future human services workforce. By removing financial barriers and offering professionals the flexibility to attend classes around their work schedules, this collaboration will create unprecedented access to Case Western Reserve University’s world-renowned Mandel School. In addition to enhancing professional growth, it will also strengthen neighborhoods, promote equity and advance social justice."
– Lovell Custard, President & CEO
Ohio Guidestone
OhioGuidestone offers a complete continuum of prevention services for mental health, substance use disorder, family care, foster care, juvenile justice, residential treatment, home-based counseling, job training and more to approximately 26,000 people each year through telehealth and locations across the state. Our main campus is in Berea, but we have locations across Ohio.
“OhioGuidestone is proud and excited to partner with Case Western Reserve University to enable our dedicated, talented team members to pursue professional development and advanced education at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. Adding behavioral health professionals to the workforce will help meet the growing needs of individuals and communities, providing essential support and contributing to a more equitable and empowered society.”
- Brant Russell, Chief Executive Officer
Wingspan Care Group
Wingspan Care Group is a nonprofit organization that serves as the parent company to a network of affiliate agencies, each dedicated to providing comprehensive behavioral health care services to individuals of all ages. Through its affiliates (Bellefaire JCB, Applewood Centers, Lifeworks, and Bluestone), Wingspan delivers a wide range of services including mental health treatment, substance use disorder programs, counseling, case management, residential treatment, and crisis intervention.
"This partnership with the Mandel School is a win for the children and families, as we work to meet the community demand for behavioral health services amidst a system-wide shortage of mental health professionals. By making an advanced social work degree accessible to our staff, we can be assured that Wingspan will continue to meet the current and emerging needs of our community.”
– Jeffrey A. Lox, LISW-S, ACSW, Executive Director