Brittany Greene, an nccuCounseling student, has been selected to serve as a 2021-2022 Behavioral Health Ambassador for the HBCU Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health's key initiative, HBCU C.A.R.E.S.

This SAMHSA funded program includes professional development, an Ambassador focused conference, and a stipend this academic year. 

The HBCU Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health is a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funded center housed at Clark Atlanta University.  By 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services predicts shortages of behavioral health professionals.  The Center aims to promote awareness of and provide support to students pursuing degrees in behavioral health at HBCUs via a key initiative, HBCU Career, Awareness, Recruitment, and Engagement Services (HBCUC.A.R.E.S.). Behavioral Health Ambassadors are critical to the success of their efforts.

Only 25 students were selected from a national, competitive pool of applicants in Counseling, Psychology, Psychiatry, Nursing, and Social Work programs. We are excited that North Carolina Central University will be among the 14 HBCUs represented in this year's cohort.
 
The 2021-2022 Behavioral Health Ambassador cohort was selected after a competitive, national application and selection process.  Ambassadors are highly qualified graduate students, currently enrolled in behavioral health programs at HBCUs, who will complete field experiences this upcoming academic year. As an Ambassador, Brittany will develop and deliver presentations about behavioral health related topics to undergraduates attending HBCU’s.  Additionally, Ambassadors will facilitate Career Chats, 20-minute conversations with 1 to 5 undergraduates, about their own academic/career journeys.  The goals of these activities are to increase awareness of and share the cultural capital needed to successfully enter behavioral health fields.  Behavioral Health Ambassadors will receive mentoring, training, and resources via online meetings throughout the academic year and a Conference that will be held in early 2022.  Ambassadors that successfully complete program requirements will receive a $7,000 stipend during the 2021-2022 academic year.
 
Congratulations, Brittany!