NATCHITOCHES, La. — A workforce development program aimed at addressing a shortage of mental health professionals in central Louisiana is accepting applications from candidates and placement sites across a nine-parish region through June 30.
The Cenla Mental Health Workforce Accelerator Program is funded by The Rapides Foundation and administered by Northwestern State University’s Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development in consultation with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. The program serves Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn parishes.
The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between earning a master’s degree in a mental health field and obtaining professional licensure in Louisiana. It supports candidates pursuing licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors or Licensed Clinical Social Workers.
Program participants receive assistance with licensing exam preparation, application fees, professional development and mentoring from counseling and social work experts. The program also covers the cost of clinical supervision if it is not provided by the employer.
Eligible placement sites include organizations that provide mental health services to children, adults and families in central Louisiana. Participating employers receive job placement support and partial salary reimbursement for up to two years.
“We look forward to reviewing applications and to welcoming our next cohort of approved candidates and placement sites,” said Steven Gruesbeck, executive director of the Cenla Mental Health Workforce Accelerator Program at Northwestern State University.
Joe Rosier, president and CEO of The Rapides Foundation, said the foundation’s board established the grant in 2025 to address a shortage of licensed mental health professionals in the region. The four-year grant was awarded to Northwestern State University to implement the program.
“The program builds on our longstanding commitment to strengthening the region’s healthcare workforce, particularly in nursing, behavioral health and allied health fields,” Rosier said. “By supporting mental health professionals on their path to licensure, this program will help expand access to quality behavioral health services throughout our nine-parish service area.”
Program leaders said the initiative is intended to improve access to care in rural communities, where demand for services continues to outpace available providers.
“Social workers are desperately needed and highly sought after in rural Louisiana to meet the needs of individuals with diminished access to services,” said Byron D. McKinney, associate professor of social work at Northwestern State University.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Provisional Licensed Professional Counselors beginning their licensure journey and a win for our region,” said Gerra Perkins, counseling program coordinator and mentor for the initiative. “Increasing the number of licensed mental health professionals and improving access to mental health care brings a host of benefits for individuals and families in our communities, including connection and resilience, economic well-being and better health outcomes.”
“By removing obstacles and providing relevant support, we will increase the number of fully licensed professionals in Central Louisiana by 2029,” said Susan Campbell, associate professor of social work and associate director of the program.
More information and applications are available at https://www.nsula.edu/mental-health-workforce/