Are you a graduate student at Campbellsville, EKU, Lindsey Wilson, or UC seeking your mental health practicum placement?

We’re the perfect fit!

What is AugmentMC?

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A grant program that partners McCreary County Schools with Campbellsville University, Eastern Kentucky University, Lindsey Wilson College, and University of the Cumberlands, placing their mental health graduate students within the school system for their practicum hours. It not only benefits the participating graduate students, but McCreary County schools, our students, and our community as well.

Virtual Calming Room

The Virtual Calming Room is a place for students, families and staff to find strategies for managing emotions and feelings in positive ways while building resilience.

Benefits

Discover how AugmentMC is transforming lives and strengthening communities. This innovative program not only supports graduate students through real-world training and mentorship but also enhances our schools and promotes long-term well-being across the region. Learn more about the powerful impact AugmentMC is making today.

Embarking on the journey to become a mental health professional is both challenging and rewarding. As the landscape of mental health care evolves, the significance of practical experience cannot be overstated. One innovative avenue that offers numerous benefits for mental health graduate students is the practicum in the school system. Let’s explore why this experience, coupled with a stipend, access to a diverse clinical landscape, support from working professionals, and the opportunity to make a difference in the community, is a game-changer for these aspiring professionals.

Stipend

The journey to a career in mental health often comes with financial considerations. The inclusion of a stipend for mental health graduate students during their practicum in schools alleviates some of the financial burdens associated with education. This not only makes pursuing a practicum more feasible for students but also allows them to focus on gaining valuable hands-on experience without the added stress of financial constraints.

UC up to 52 miles roundtrip at $0.46 per mile x 32 trips per semester (Clinical Counselor, Clinical Social Work, and Clinical Social Work)

EKU up to 168 miles roundtrip at $0.46 per mile x 32 trips per semester (Clinical Counselor, Clinical Social Work, and Clinical Social Work)

Lindsey Wilson up to 152 miles roundtrip at $0.46 per mile x 32 trips per semester (Clinical Counselor)

Campbellsville up to 192 miles roundtrip at $0.46 per mile x 32 trips per semester (Clinical Social Work)

Access to a Diverse Clinical Landscape

Schools are microcosms of diversity, reflecting a broad spectrum of socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, and family structures. For mental health graduate students, this provides a unique and rich clinical landscape to hone their skills. Exposure to diverse cases enhances their ability to understand and address the complexities of mental health, preparing them for a wide range of scenarios they may encounter in their future careers.

Support of Working Professionals

Working within the school system allows mental health graduate students to benefit from the guidance and mentorship of experienced professionals. Collaborating with school counselors, psychologists, and other mental health experts provides a supportive environment for students to learn, ask questions, and receive feedback. This real-world guidance is invaluable, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Making a Difference in the Community

The impact of mental health graduate students in schools extends beyond individual development. By contributing to the well-being of students, they play a crucial role in shaping the mental health landscape of the community. Making a difference in the lives of young individuals at such a formative stage not only provides a sense of purpose but also underscores the broader societal impact mental health professionals can have.

The practicum experience in the school system is a multifaceted opportunity that benefits mental health graduate students on multiple levels. The inclusion of a stipend eases financial pressures, access to a diverse clinical landscape broadens their expertise, the support of working professionals enhances their learning, and the chance to make a difference in the community adds a meaningful dimension to their professional development. As these students shape the future of mental health care, the practicum in schools emerges as a vital stepping stone in their journey towards becoming compassionate and effective mental health professionals.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of mental health in the overall well-being of students. As schools become increasingly aware of the need for comprehensive mental health support, one innovative solution is emerging: integrating mental health graduate students into the school system for their practicum. This collaborative approach not only benefits the students themselves but also has far-reaching positive effects on the entire community.

Early Intervention and Prevention

Having mental health graduate students working within schools allows for early intervention and prevention strategies. These students, under the guidance of experienced professionals, can identify and address mental health concerns at an early stage. By doing so, they contribute to creating a proactive and supportive environment that helps prevent more severe issues from developing later in life.

Holistic Support

Schools serve as microcosms of society, reflecting the diverse challenges individuals may face. Mental health graduate students bring fresh perspectives and a wealth of knowledge to address a variety of mental health needs. Their training equips them to provide holistic support, considering not only academic but also emotional and social factors that contribute to a student’s well-being.

Reducing Stigma

Embedding mental health graduate students in schools helps destigmatize seeking help for mental health concerns. When students witness mental health professionals working within the school setting, it sends a powerful message that mental health is a normal aspect of overall health. This, in turn, fosters a culture of openness and understanding, reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health support.

Bridging the Gap

The collaboration between mental health graduate students and schools helps bridge the gap between academic research and real-world application. Students benefit from the latest evidence-based practices, and schools gain valuable insights into effective mental health interventions. This symbiotic relationship enhances the overall quality of mental health services available to the community.

Community Engagement

Involving mental health graduate students in school practicums extends the reach of mental health services beyond the school walls. Students, families, and the community at large can access valuable resources and support through outreach programs and community engagement initiatives led by these students. This not only enriches the community but also promotes a sense of unity and shared responsibility for mental health. Integrating mental health graduate students into the school system for their practicum is a win-win situation for students, schools, and the broader community. It addresses mental health needs at an early stage, provides comprehensive support, reduces stigma, bridges the gap between research and practice, and fosters community engagement. As we continue to prioritize the well-being of our students, this collaborative approach emerges as a promising model for nurturing healthier and more resilient communities.

Meet Our Team

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Dr. Rebecca Blakley

MHSP Project Director

Dr. Rebecca Blakley is currently serving as the project director of the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant in the McCreary County School District. She has just completed her 27th year in education where she has spent her time serving as a teacher, a counselor, a principal, and an administrator at central office. She has served the last 22 years of her career in McCreary County. She received a master’s degree in leadership and principal certification from the University of the Cumberlands, a master’s degree in counseling from Eastern Kentucky University, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of the Cumberlands. She is a firm believer that relationships matter and her favorite quote is from Josh Shipp, “Every kid is ONE caring adult away from being a success story.”

Dr. Michelle Trammell Ed.D

MHSP Coordinator

Dr. Michelle Trammell Ed.D began her education career in 2001 in the McCreary County School District. She received her BA in Elementary Education and went on to get her Master’s in Elementary Education. Soon after, she pursued her Master’s in School Counseling at the University of the Cumberlands. In July of 2022, she received her Doctorate in Leadership Education. She has worked as a teacher, teaching different levels in the elementary setting and as a school counselor until becoming part of the Augment MC team in July of 2023. In 2023, she also began a career with Grand Canyon University as an adjunct professor teaching Practicum and Internship for School Counseling and as an adjunct professor at the University of the Cumberlands teaching counseling classes.

Angelina Farwick, CSW, CADC

MHSP Clinical Counselor

Angelina received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) from Eastern Kentucky University in 2017 and her Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from Campbellsville University in 2019. A few short years later, Angelina returned to school at the University of Louisville to complete the requirements for the Certificate as School Social Worker which she completed in 2020. Angelina started her career in 2017 focused on Substance Use treatment in the outpatient and corrections setting, where she worked to obtain her Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor certificate. In 2018 Angelina began her work in the school setting where she provided on site counseling services in an Alternative Education School to middle and high school aged students.

Sunshine Canada LPCC, LCADC

School Counselor

Sunshine received her Bachelor’s degree from Lindsey Wilson College in 2003 in Human Services and Counseling and her Master’s degree in Human Services and Counseling from Lindsey Wilson College School of Professional Counselors in 2005. Sunshine began her career as a school counselor in 2017 after earning her Master’s in School Counseling from Eastern Kentucky University. Sunshine has 3 years’ experience as an administrator in an alternative setting and before joining the AUGMENT MC team she has been a school counselor at McCreary Central High School for the past 4 years. “One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will become someone’s survival guide”. Brene Brown