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American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fellowship

Supported by a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), this collaborative initiative between the University of Maryland-Baltimore, ÃÛÌÒav, and Morgan State University seeks to address the growing need for licensed and skilled social workers equipped to provide essential services to individuals affected by substance use disorders (SUDs).

The ARPA Fellowship expands the Substance Use Disorders Workforce Expansion (SUDWE) Fellowship to further increase the workforce of social workers providing evidence-based interventions in non-traditional adjacent placements, including:

  1. Forensic/Criminal Justice: These settings involve working with individuals who are involved in or affected by the criminal justice system. Examples include prisons, jails, probation offices, and court-mandated treatment programs.
  2. Transition-Aged Youth: This category focuses on young people who are transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. Settings may include youth shelters, transitional living programs, foster care agencies, and educational institutions supporting young adults.
  3. Homeless/Housing Insecure: These settings cater to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Examples include homeless shelters, transitional housing programs, outreach services, and supportive housing initiatives.
  4. Older Adults/Aging Populations: This category involves working with older adults and addressing their unique challenges as they age. Settings may include senior centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice care, and programs focusing on elder abuse prevention and support.

The ARPA Fellowship is open to SU School of Social Work students, who are committed to working in integrated behavioral health settings with one of the above populations. Recipients will be awarded a stipend for participation, with half dispersed at enrollment and half upon completion. Stipends are contingent on funding availability.

Fellows agree to participate in self-paced online specialized trainings and complete SOWK 653: Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention (or a self-paced equivalent training).

Eligibility

  • Advanced placement MSW students
  • Maryland resident
  • Demonstrate a career focus that will provide services in forensic/criminal justice, transition-aged youth, homeless/housing insecure, or older adult/aging population settings
  • You cannot be enrolled in a Title IV-E program.

What Will You Receive

  • Education and training in evidence-based practices regarding SUDs
  • Financial stipend to assist with tuition costs
  • Professional educational materials and resources

Requirements

  • Current SUD-adjacent advanced field placement supporting forensic/criminal justice, transition-aged youth, homeless/housing insecure, older adults/aging populations.
  • Complete all online self-paced modules in their entirety
  • Complete a reflection essay on each module content
  • Schedule and attend a one-on-one meeting with the ARPA Program Manager after completing all the training requirements
  • Complete SOWK 653: Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention or complete a SUD-specific self-paced equivalent training module

Application

Submission Process

These materials must be submitted as attachments to  sudwe@salisbury.edu

Please submit all documents in a single email using the subject, “ NAME- ARPA 2025 ”

For Additional Information, please contact:  SUDWE@salisbury.edu