Northern Arizona University students at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus will soon have the opportunity to gain real-world experience in health promotion related to substance abuse, thanks to a recent six-figure grant.
Oaklee Rogers, an assistant clinical professor of occupational therapy, said the grant from National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education will allow students in NAU’s physical therapy and occupational therapy programs to work in group homes owned by Crossroads, a licensed behavioral health company with five homes in Phoenix.
NAU and Arizona State University collaborated for the $50,000 grant, which Crossroads is matching, providing $100,000 over the next two years to help people in substance abuse rehab.
Students will work with community-based partners to increase access to prevention resources, health information and transitional care for people undergoing treatment for substance abuse.
This program will help expand the Student Health Outreach for Wellness (SHOW), a joint project between NAU, ASU and the University of Arizona. The program’s purpose is both to provide affordable health care to vulnerable populations and provide experience and leadership opportunities for the students.
“This collaboration between SHOW and Crossroads allows our students a unique opportunity to provide health promotion services in an emerging practice area with a highly vulnerable population,” Rogers said. “In addition, the students gain hands-on experience, working with a community agency to complete a needs assessment and build and implement a sustainable program.”
About SHOW
The Student Health Outreach for Wellness is a student-led initiative involving health care students from Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. It is intended to provide health care and education to the homeless population in Phoenix. The group, working with existing health care infrastructure, opened its doors in summer 2015, with students assisting in providing medical and psychiatric care, health promotion, community outreach and health care literacy.