The Expanding Opportunities Project
New Mexico Public Education Department—Safe & Healthy Schools Bureau
Welcome to The Expanding Opportunities Project
Welcome to The Expanding Opportunities Project (EOP) website. We are excited to launch this innovative project in support of New Mexico's children, schools, and communities.
Project Goal
The goal of The Expanding Opportunities Project is to recruit and retain school-based mental health (SBMH) providers to serve the needs of students across the state, with a focus on rural and frontier communities that have a high percentage of at-risk and vulnerable student populations.
Project Overview
The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED), Safe and Healthy Schools Bureau, was awarded a USDE grant to increase the number and quality of school-based mental health (SBMH) providers in high-need schools. By partnering with local education agencies (LEAs), universities, Native American communities, and other state agencies, EOP will increase the number of SBMH providers and access to care for school-aged youth in identified communities.
Tuition Reimbursement & Loan Repayment
We are recruiting students who are enrolled in master’s level or doctoral behavioral health programs (counseling, psychology, social work) in participating New Mexico universities (ENMU, NMHU, NMSU, UNM, WNMU). EOP will provide financial incentives (tuition reimbursement and loan repayment), along with resources and support to eligible participants.
Internship/Practicum Placement Stipends
Stipends are available to qualifying EOP participants who complete practicums/internships via a partnering university placement (in an EOP approved high-need school/district) and commit to minimum employment of two years post-graduation in a high-need school/district. More information regarding this opportunity is forthcoming.
Post-Graduation Opportunities
In an effort to retain and recruit school-based behavioral health professionals, stipends are available to providers employed in EOP approved schools/districts.
If the number of eligible participants exceeds the available grant funding, preference will be given to providers in LEAs identified with the highest needs, as per grant guidelines (ex., poverty, student-to-mental health provider ratio, etc). We are currently accepting applications for our next cohort. Apply today!
Licensing/Licensure Fees Reimbursement
Qualifying EOP participants are eligible for up to $300 in reimbursement for professional licensing exam/licensure costs.
We invite you to browse our website to learn more about EOP. If you have questions about the project, please contact Marisa Aguirre.
EOP Background Information
New Mexico is a complex state, culturally and historically rich, diverse by nature, and home to a large Native American population. Many of our residents live in rural and frontier settings where poverty and equity are significant issues. These issues affect all aspects of the community members’ well-being, including social and emotional health.
Addressing the behavioral health needs of our students is an ongoing priority. The following are just a few of the challenges we face:
- Access to appropriate care
- Limited providers
- Provider recruitment and retention
- Mental health stigma
- Providing culturally competent care
High Plains Regional Education Cooperative
High Plains Regional Education Cooperative (HPREC) is the contact and fiscal agent for the EOP initiative. HPREC is one of ten Regional Education Cooperatives (RECs) located around the state supporting LEAs (mostly rural) and the NMPED. To learn more about HPREC, visit www.hprec.com.
Projected Outcomes
Student-Level Outcomes
- Increased student attendance due to better mental health outcomes
- Decreased student suicide rate
School-Level Outcomes
- Improved mental health outcomes for selected LEA student communities (as measured by NM Risk and Resilience Survey)
Workforce Outcomes
- Greater visibility and recognition of the SBMH profession
- More active and cohesive rural SBMH workforce community and professional network
- Greater knowledge about and interest in the SBMH profession