The Trauma-Informed Practice Scholars Program (TIPSP) aims to increase access to behavioral health services for children, adolescents, and young adults in the Washington, D.C. area by training Master of Social Work (MSW) students in trauma-informed behavioral health practice.

Selected TIPSP scholars will receive stipends of $25,000 to support their education and training.

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About the Program

The National Catholic School of Social Service has received a $2.3M Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This grant will support the Trauma-Informed Practice Scholars Program (TIPSP) where selected scholars will be trained for interdisciplinary trauma-informed behavioral health services.

The program is open to students in their final year of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program, whether in-person or online, at Catholic University. 

Training will include: 

  • Experiential training throughout one academic year (approximately 16 hours per week) at one of our community-partner agencies providing behavioral health services for children and youth in high-need, high-demand areas of the Washington, D.C. area.
  • Completion of a nine-credit graduate-level certificate program: Strengthening Resilience: Interdisciplinary Approach to Intergenerational Trauma (IAIT)
  • Simulated learning experiences that will allow students to role-play scenarios they will encounter in team-based behavioral health settings.

Program Requirements

Selected TIPSP scholars should meet the following requirements:

  • Complete experiential training: 16 hours/week of field placement work, along with a weekly field seminar course 
  • Complete a nine-credit graduate-level certificate program: Strengthening Resilience: Interdisciplinary Approach to Intergenerational Trauma (IAIT) 
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Obtain and share an National Provider Identifier (NPI) number before graduation
  • Participate in post-graduation surveys for at least one year after graduation, providing information on employment status and practice location. 

  • Experiential Training in the D.C. Community

    TIPSP Scholars have the opportunity to gain real-world experience providing trauma-informed behavioral health services for children and youth in the area. During the field placement portion of the program, students will be placed at various community agencies where they will learn about best practices for providing compassionate, behavioral health services. The accompanying field seminar course will provide additional support to further promote scholars’ learning, helping them to integrate trauma frames in their work. 

     During the 2025-2026 Academic Year, students are placed at:

    • DC Department of Behavioral Health, School Based Mental Health Program
    • Girls Global Academy Public Charter School
    • St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth, and Families
    • Community of Hope
    • La Clinica del Pueblo
    • Annapolis Wellness House
    • Hearts of Empowerment
    • Postpartum Wellness and Counseling
    • Washington County Family Center (Maryland Dept. Health and Human Services)

    All students complete their field placement and course work during their specialized practice year. 

    • Full Time Students: Full-time students  take their courses and field placement concurrently in one academic year.  
    • Part Time Students: Part-time students take their courses one year and fieldwork the second year.  

  • Strengthening Resilience: Interdisciplinary Approach to Intergenerational Trauma (IAIT) Certificate Program 

    MSW students are required to take elective courses of 9 credits in total as part of their graduation requirements. TIPSP scholars will take the three certificate program courses (each course is a 3-credit course) as their elective courses. These three courses are:

    • SSS 655 Creating Trauma-Informed Programs and Services for Vulnerable Populations: This course is designed to provide students with an overview of trauma and the current trauma-informed behavioral health practices on micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
    • SSS 675 Trauma-Informed Health and Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents: This course explores the principles and practices of trauma-informed care for children and adolescents in health and mental health care settings.
    • SSS 685 Historical & Intergenerational Trauma: Intervening with Parents and Parenting Behaviors: This course addresses structural and systemic ways trauma is passed down through generations in families and communities and provides a framework for identifying and addressing these patterns in a trauma-informed manner.

Eligibility

To be selected as a TIPSP Scholar, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Students must be entering their final year of the MSW program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Students must be committed to working with children, youth, and/or young adults in an interdisciplinary behavioral healthcare setting, particularly in underserved areas
  • Students must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
In order for scholars to receive stipends, the University must have their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file.

How to Apply

  • Complete the NCSSS Scholarship Application
  • Complete the TIPSP Application

Priority will be given for applications submitted by February 15, 2026.

Apply for an NCSSS Scholarship
Apply for TIPSP

Contact

Please contact Dr. Eun Koh, Project Director at koh@cua.edu, or Ms. Gretchen Gates, Project Coordinator, at 47gates@cua.edu, if you have any questions or need additional information.