Psychologists` Opioid-Fighting Efforts Gain Boost from Federal Grant

The University of Missouri's share of federal funding under the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA's) Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) program will allow doctoral interns to expand efforts to assist underserved populations affected by opioid use. Target groups will include active-duty military and residents of the rural community surrounding Waynesville, according to a news release this week from the university.

The university will receive $1.2 million from HRSA, a grant award that will allow it to add seven doctoral internships in psychology each year for the next three years. Among their efforts, the interns provide services to active-duty military at the Fort Leonard Wood Army Post.

In addition, the funding will support telehealth clinics to support patients with substance use disorders statewide, according to the university. One population being targeted in the overall initiative is the group with conditions that place them at higher risk for substance use disorders, such as patients with chronic pain.

HRSA in all has awarded 49 universities and nonprofits a total of $17.4 million in the latest round of funding to design and operate graduate programs training psychologists to work in underserved communities.