The Behavioral Health Incentive Program provides financial incentives to rural and low-income Colorado students to obtain a credential in certain behavioral health programs of study. Implemented by SB21-137, $9 million was dedicated for this effort from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The program covers an eligible student's in-state tuition in approved programs at Colorado institutions of higher education.
The Colorado Department of Higher Education approved $5 million in grants to five universities that will provide tuition to students pursuing select degrees and certificates in behavioral health. The state estimates the program will serve nearly 400 students in the first two years with the program lasting four years.
The five awarded institutions and their eligible programs are:
- Colorado Mesa University
- BSW in Social Work
- MSW in Social Work
- Professional Certification in Addiction Studies
- Colorado State University
- M.A. in Addiction Counseling in Psychology
- B.S. with a Concentration in Addiction Counseling
- B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies with a Concentration in Intervention/Prevention
- M.A. in Human Development & Family Studies/Marriage and Family Therapy
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in Social Work
- B.A. in Social Work
- Joint Masters in Addiction Counseling in Psychology and Social Work
- University of Northern Colorado
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. in Educational Psychology
- M.A. in Foundations of Professional Psychology
- M.A. in Marriage, Counseling, and Family Counseling/Therapy
- University of Denver
- Master of Social Work
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- Master of Social Work
Grantees
Reporting Resources
The Behavioral Health Incentive Program funds are drawn from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). General requirements applicable to the Program, as well as other SLFRF programs managed by the Department, are available here. Student eligibility requirements are detailed here, and frequently asked questions about determining student eligibility are available here.
Grantees must provide monthly, quarterly, and annual reports through Gravity and through the CDHE SLFRF online portal. If you require access to this portal, or if you have any additional questions, please contact Jack Wolflink at jack.wolflink@dhe.state.co.us.
RFP2 (Closed)
The second RFP period is closed and allocations will be announced soon. The RFP was made available through the ColoradoVSS portal as RFP 2023000180. Full instructions and support for the ColoradoVSS portal may be accessed here. The archived RFP application packet, the updated list of contingently-eligible programs, and the program's rural definitions guidance letter are available below.
BHI Application Packet
Contingently-Eligible Programs List Rural Definitions Guidance Letter