Morgan State University Awarded $500K Grant to Prepare Social Work Graduates to Address Opioid Abuse Epidemic

SHIELD Initiative Aims to Boost Behavioral Health Workforce with Specialized Training in Trauma and Opioid Addiction Prevention

BALTIMORE—Morgan State University’s School of Social Work is preparing a new crop of social work professionals with the skills and training to address the public health crisis caused by the rapidly escalating opioid misuse epidemic, thanks to a new $500,000 State Opioid Response (SOR) grant. Awarded by the Maryland Department of Health’s (MDH) Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the grant will support the establishment of 38 social work student fellows made up of undergraduate seniors and master’s degree candidates, and eight doctoral training fellows as part of the Substance Use Disorder and Health Initiative for Education and Leadership Development (SHIELD) initiative. The selected student fellows will receive specialized training in trauma-informed care and substance use disorder management and engage in professional development activities to enhance their behavioral health skills.

“The SHIELD initiative is a commitment to creating systemic change by developing leaders in behavioral health, and Morgan is dedicated to fostering a new generation of competent social work professionals deeply connected to the diverse needs of urban populations,” said Dawn Thurman, Ph.D., project co-principal investigator and associate professor in Morgan’s School of Social Work. “This grant allows us to expand access to essential training, ensuring our students are prepared to tackle the opioid crisis and behavioral health challenges. Our focus on workforce development aligns with SAMHSA's priorities, and we are proud to be part of the solution to reduce unmet treatment needs across Maryland.”

In 2023, an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States, according to provisional data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. The SOR grant program was established to combat the opioid overdose crisis by providing states and territories with resources to increase access to FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder using Medications for Opioid Use (MOUD). Additionally, the grant supports a range of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services for opioid use disorder (OUD) and other concurrent substance use disorders. By expanding access to behavioral health services, particularly in underserved and high-need areas, this initiative will reduce the unmet treatment needs of individuals struggling with substance use and mental health disorders. It will also enhance the quality of care provided through workforce development.

While Morgan has engaged previously in similar efforts, the current SHIELD initiative represents a significant expansion in scope, particularly in its integration of trauma-informed care and opioid use disorder prevention within the behavioral health workforce.  The grant's funding will ensure that graduates are well-prepared to significantly and positively impact this crucial area of public health. Through the SHIELD Initiative, the University looks to lead in addressing the critical needs of individuals with behavioral health challenges, marking a significant step forward in the quest for comprehensive, accessible, and high-quality care.

“This federal and state partnership enables Morgan to participate in the national dialogue on developing systems and networks of care to save and improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities affected by the overdose crisis,” said Melissa Littlefield, Ph.D., a co-principal investigator on the project and professor of Social Work at the Morgan. “Our students are eager to continue the research in examining holistic solutions that address addiction and mental health issues.”

The School of Social Work will leverage this SHIELD opportunity to develop new courses related to behavioral health, substance use disorder, and trauma-informed care. These courses will be integrated into the social work curriculum, providing undergraduate and graduate students additional learning opportunities. The award is for one year, with an option to renew for additional years. Morgan State University is the primary recipient and beneficiary of the award. However, the university may collaborate with external partners, such as community organizations and other educational institutions, to support the SHIELD Initiative's workforce development and training components.

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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Media Contacts:

Cheryl Stewart or Larry Jones, for Morgan State University PR
443-885-3022