LAST Project

The Leadership, Advocacy, Supervision Training (LAST) Project is a collaborative two-year Health Services & Resources Administration funded grant that provides fellowship stipends to OTD and PsyD students.

The LAST Project aims to increase the number of behavioral healthcare professionals and supervisors trained to work with children, adolescents, and young adults (CAY) in underserved or rural communities (URC) by partnering with federally qualified health centers, school-based and community sites that offer integrated care. Through the program, Chatham will:

  • Train 22 Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Chatham students to provide care and supervision.
  • Support up to 22 supervisors to become leaders, advocates, and more confident supervisors.
  • Provide continuing education (CE) training to hundreds of regional behavioral health providers, faculty, and students.
  • Aim to increase the recruitment of diverse students and supervisors.

Training Benefits

  • $25,000 stipend during the training year
  • Funds for membership in professional organizations such as American Psychological Association (APA) or American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
  • Funding opportunities for attendance at local, state, and national conferences
  • Training in topics specifically tailored to training sites and training needs as well as professional development
  • ​Opportunities for professional mentorship
  • Participation in an interdisciplinary community of practice to network with alumni, collaborators, and site supervisors
  • Training in health disparities, health literacy, health equity, social determinants of health, and linguistic and cultural competence through an enhanced Practicum/Capstone course, continuing education and in class workshops as well as an advocacy project
  • Participation in professional development events to include case based standardized patient encounters
  • Career development, mentoring, and support for job placement
Photo of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania skyline featuring tall buildings, rivers, bridges, and blue skies

Where Students May Work

The federally qualified health centers, school-based, and community sites students may work in include:

  • North Side Christian Health Center
  • Primary Health Care Services, Inc.
  • Allegheny Intermediate Unit and affiliated schools
  • Bradley Center
  • Yeshiva Schools
  • Leechburg School
  • Duquesne COMPASS Program

Photo of a group of students seated in a lecture classroom, paying attention to an offscreen instructor

How to Apply

Fellowships take place in the students’ final year prior to doctoral internship (PsyD) or graduation (OTD). Students may apply for the LAST Project as part of their practicum application by ranking LAST sites. LAST fellows must be selected by a LAST Project practicum/ internship site. Per HRSA expectations, students who choose to share social identities and who meet HRSA’s definition of holding a “diverse” identity or background receive priority for LAST Project. Participation in an interdisciplinary community of practice to network with alumni, collaborators, and site supervisors.