After two years of preparation and a year-long wait, Newman’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program has been awarded a $2.3 million federal grant, aimed at serving its students.
“This award is a game-changer for the MSW program, especially for our MSW students,” said Yelando Johnson, director of Newman’s Master of Social Work and the grant’s project director. “The total grant funding provides the financial and training infrastructure to support our mission.”
The grant’s official title is the “Health Resources and Services Administration Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program” (HRSA BHWET). The team in charge of the grant’s proposal process was also led by Jessica Bird, dean of the School of Education and Social Work, Karen Noel, program coordinator, and Vanessa Rials, instructor of social work and director of field education.
“We recognized a need in rural and high-need areas of southwest Kansas and saw the grant as a way to provide both enhanced training and financial assistance to students preparing to serve these communities,” Bird said.
The proposal process began in late 2023, with the final application submitted in January 2025. With changes in the federal administration during that time, the team was concerned that their efforts would be rejected.
“That’s why receiving the award notification was such a powerful and joyful moment for our department and felt like a true victory,” Johnson said. “We poured countless hours into the proposal, meeting weekly during the final stretch to make sure it was as strong and competitive as possible.”
How students will benefit
The approval for the grant came June 25, 2025, with a start date of July 1, 2025.
The funds go towards the Newman University Behavioral Health Education for Social Work Trainees program (NU-BEST) to recruit and support MSW students each year.
Our program prepares students to recognize the widespread impact of trauma and integrate principles of safety, trust, empowerment and cultural humility into their work.
-Johnson
“Our MSW program is one of the few programs in the region with a trauma-informed practice focus,” Johnson said. “Our program prepares students to recognize the widespread impact of trauma and integrate principles of safety, trust, empowerment and cultural humility into their work.”
Sixteen student trainees will each receive a $25,000 stipend to support cost-of-living expenses, while also providing access to more enhanced training opportunities, like field placements in high-need areas.
“For our students, this means less financial strain and greater freedom to commit deeply to their training and internships,” Johnson said.
Through this grant, the MSW program can expand student training through a combination of coursework, field education and community partnerships, she said, giving students the skills they need to support individuals and families.
“This combination of advanced training and financial support not only strengthens our students’ readiness to serve but also ensures that the communities they enter benefit from highly prepared, compassionate social work professionals,” Bird said.
The HRSA BHWET grant is valid for four years, with the 2025-2026 school year acting as its first year.
“This grant really came about because of a shared vision that Newman can prepare social work students to serve where they’re most needed, particularly in behavioral health,” Johnson said.
At its heart, the mission of the social work profession is to advance human dignity, promote justice and empower individuals and communities. This aligns seamlessly with Newman University’s mission to transform society. The MSW program embodies this shared calling, preparing students not only to practice social work, but also to live it with courage, compassion and conviction.
Johnson added, “With this grant, we are igniting a movement of future social workers who will carry Newman’s values into every community they serve, transforming lives, restoring hope and leaving a legacy of change that extends far beyond our campus.”
Newman’s social work program
The Master of Social Work program provides a personalized & supportive educational experience, both in the classroom and through field education.
