The Cenla Mental Health Workforce Accelerator Program funding opportunity is open for applications. The deadline for submission is Friday, March 28, 2025, no later than 4 p.m. Central Time.
Through this Request for Applications (RFA), The Rapides Foundation seeks to increase the number of highly-qualified mental health and substance abuse treatment professionals by funding organizations to implement a local version of the National Mental Health Workforce Accelerator Program (NMHWA).
The National Mental Health Workforce Accelerator Program was first launched in 2023 through a partnership with the National Council of Mental Wellbeing (National Council) and Kaiser Permanente. The program aims to address the workforce shortage by expanding the pool of post-masters licensed clinicians and increase the availability and provision of mental health services in under-resourced and marginalized communities. The program is currently operating in six states. The Central Louisiana program will focus on supporting licensure obtainment for 30 Licensed Clinical Social Workers and/or Licensed Professional Counselors.
Key Program Components:
The grant term will be up to 48 months, beginning July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029. This includes a 3-month ramp-up period. Funding must be used to support the operations and administration of the local version of the NMHWA program. The Foundation reserves the right to grant less than the total amount requested. If more than one Regional Chair is awarded funding, they will operate as Regional Co-Chairs.
All candidates must be placed in The Rapides Foundation’s nine-parish service area.
The grant applicant must meet all of the following requirements:
Please review the eligibility section in the Request for Applications document in the key materials section for more information.
Applications should be submitted using The Rapides Foundation's online application process only. (See link to Start an Application in right column.)
Applicants should thoroughly review the Request for Applications and other key documents included in the Key Materials section (in right column) to see full details, application process and requirements.
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact The Rapides Foundation for guidance no later than three weeks before submitting their proposal. Contact information is in the right column.
All applicants can register for a Pre-submission Consultation call prior to March 7, 2025. To register, please use the link below to register for a call.
All applications must be submitted using the online submission process. Submission deadline: Friday, March 28, 2025; 4:00 p.m. Central Time.
Please note, the proposal must be fully submitted by the deadline; therefore, you must begin uploading documents prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the deadline. We suggest you allow a minimum of three hours for the upload process.
Please review thoroughly before applying:
For questions related to this funding opportunity, contact:
Angela Williams, MAHealthcare AdministrationHealthcare Access Initiative Program Officer