An interdisciplinary study examining how interprofessional, culturally responsive training can enhance clinical effectiveness, self-efficacy, and workforce diversity in behavioral health care for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth.
Key Findings
1. Students in the program’s first three cohorts demonstrated significant increases from baseline to graduation in anti-racism awareness and behavior, self-reflection, intercultural clinical effectiveness, self-efficacy in counseling racially diverse clients, interprofessional practice, work-related quality of life, and the use of technology in clinical practice.
2. Significant results from the first three cohorts were sustained through nine months post-graduation in anti-racist behavior, personal insight, intercultural clinical effectiveness, self-efficacy in counseling racially diverse clients, interprofessional practice, and clinical use of technology.
3. Ninety-nine percent of graduates were satisfied or very satisfied with their BHWET experience. A graduate stated, “The BHWET program was the best part of my graduate school experience. It has helped me be comfortable talking about the ways racism impacts my current work and policies. It has inspired me to continue learning about anti-racist practices. My supervisors have noticed that I am more knowledgeable about systemic issues compared to coworkers that were not in the program. I would recommend the BWHET program to all.”
Study Overview
In 2021, The Ohio State University’s Colleges of Social Work, Nursing, and Education and Human Ecology received a four-year grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to prepare the next generation of behavioral health professionals to specialize in culturally responsive services for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and LGBTQIA+ children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth and their families. BHWET students were in their final year of study in the following programs: Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Studies – School Psychology. BHWET aimed to improve the responsiveness of the workforce to the needs of the target populations, as well as workforce diversity, by growing the number of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students completing these clinical graduate programs and by expanding educational specialization tracks with evidence-based, culturally responsive, and interprofessional courses and learning experiences in integrated primary/behavioral health care.
In Years 1 through 4, a total of 107 graduate students participated in the program. Seventy-two percent of these participants were MSW students, 24.3% were MSN students, and 3.7% were PhD students. Among participants, 40% identified as a Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC), 12% identified as a member of a gender minority group, and 38% identified as first-generation college students, with an
average age of 29.32 years. Since Year 1, diversity among cohort members across academic disciplines, racial/ethnic identity, gender identity, and first-generation college students increased by over 120%.
BHWET students were placed in a behavioral health practicum working with the target populations. They also participated in supplemental education and core skill building opportunities including intensive trainings, interprofessional discussions, coaching, and simulation exercises specific to the target
populations. Trainings covered topics such as trauma-informed care; working with BIPOC youth and families; affirming LGBTQIA+ identities through allyship, inclusion, and responsiveness; and the application of the healing justice framework for behavioral health treatment with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+
youth. In addition, BHWET aimed to strengthen workforce development by offering open access continuing education modules for community-based professionals and career opportunities for students and graduates by cultivating relationships with community partners in high need areas.
To evaluate the program, students were surveyed on topics related to providing culturally responsive,evidence-based, interprofessional behavioral health care for diverse populations, including their self-efficacy, beliefs and knowledge, level of introspection, and professional quality of life. These validated scales, as well as questions around technology use in clinical care and students’ career goals, were administered prior to the start of the program (baseline), after the completion of the program, just prior to students’ graduation from OSU, and nine months post-graduation. A comparison group of 108 non-participants from the three programs was recruited to compare results and evaluate the program’s effectiveness. Focus groups were also held with BHWET participants at the conclusion of the program. The BHWET program completed its four-year grant from HRSA in June 2025.
Conclusion
The BHWET program’s first three cohorts demonstrated significant increases in clinical skills and self-efficacy in providing behavioral health services for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth and indicated high levels of program satisfaction. Qualitative findings suggested that the BHWET program positively influenced students’ professional knowledge and skills, engagement in interprofessional practice, competency in delivering culturally responsive care, and personal growth that bolstered confidence when they entered the behavioral health workforce. These results highlight the significance and effectiveness of interdisciplinary education in preparing clinical graduate students to support BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ children and youth through interprofessional, evidence-based, culturally responsive, and integrated behavioral health care.
About the Researchers
- Dr. Mo Yee Lee, Professor at The Ohio State University College of Social Work, conducts community-engaged research aimed at developing culturally responsive interventions for diverse mental health concerns among adults and children.
- Dr. Barbara Warren, Professor of Clinical Nursing at The Ohio State University College of Nursing, is a nationally recognized expert on culture, diversity, and inclusion within behavioral health systems and organizations.
- Dr. Antoinette Miranda, Professor and Director of the School Psychology Program at The Ohio State University, focuses her research on improving educational outcomes and developing effective interventions for children in urban school settings.
- Dr. Amanda Klein-Cox, Senior Research Associate at The Ohio State University College of Social Work, specializes in program evaluation and research promoting child and family well-being across areas such as education, child welfare, and maternal health.
- Dr. Lois Stepney, Assistant Clinical Professor at The Ohio State University College of Social Work, advances scholarship in healing justice, helping-professional wellness, BIPOC wellness, and transformative social work practices.
- Nancy Yates, MSSA, LISW, BHWET Program Manager, applies her clinical and administrative expertise to coordinate the program’s daily operations and partnerships.
- Dr. Preston Osborn, Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth, studies how to strengthen students’ and professionals’ capacities for culturally responsive and anti-oppressive practice.
- Bri Smith, PhD Candidate, examines the intersections of racism, social determinants of health, and reproductive health disparities among Black women and birthing people.
- Ashura Hughley, PhD Candidate, explores mental health disparities, socioeconomic inequality, spirituality, and cultural identity among adolescents and young adults.
- Charis Stanek, PhD Candidate, is committed to expanding access to equitable, culturally responsive, and social-justice-oriented mental health care.
Contact information: yates.225@osu.edu
