Program Success Stories

Lanie Mathis
I am a Clinical Lead (supervisor) for Clarke County Court Services at Advantage Behavioral Health Systems. I currently supervise 2 staff and I am looking to hire another masters level clinician.I work directly with the Western Judicial Circuit Family Treatment Court and Treatment and Accountability Court (Mental Health Court). I provide treatment for the court participants and serve as a liaison and treatment representative for ABHS on the two accountability court teams.
I am trained in basic EMDR and over 5 different evidence-based group curriculums. I work closely with Judges, attorneys, DFCS, CASA, case managers and court coordinators.I have also served as a treatment peer reviewer for other Family Treatment Courts in the state.
I am also involved in the Athens-Clarke County task force, SAFE: Strategically Addressing the Fentanyl Epidemic.
Celebrating Current DBHDD Students

Investing in the Future of Public Behavioral Health in Georgia
Gain the experience and skills to work in public behavioral health settings to provide mental health, substance abuse, or developmental disabilities services through internships developed in collaboration between the School of Social Work and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD).
Goal
To graduate a cohort of MSW students each year who are:
Well-trained in the behavioral health skills needed by the DBHDD
Experienced in working within the DBHDD system, including Community Service Boards (CSBs)
Committed to recovery and social justice for individuals with behavioral health needs
Committed to working for DBHDD and/or CSBs over the long term
Eligibility
Students whose concentration field placement is within a DBHDD facility/agency or CSB can apply for this program.
Instructions
Students will need to apply and then be interviewed by representatives from the DBHDD, CSBs, and School of Social Work.
DBHDD will provide stipends to the students who are selected. Selected students will commit to working for at least 12 months post-graduation at a DBHDD facility/agency or CSB.
Specialized Support for the Students in the Program
- 1 credit per semester field seminar that explores topics of relevance to work in the DBHDD/CSB system (e.g. recovery focus, working with peer specialists).
- SSW faculty will provide a monthly one-hour continuing education event at the field placement site(s) of students participating in the Initiative.
- Upon graduation, students will obtain employment within DBHDD or a CSB. DBHDD will provide help the graduate find potential job opportunities appropriate to a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).
For more information, visit the Investing in the Future of Public Behavioral Health in Georgia internship information page or contact Kate A. Morrissey-Stahl, kstahl@uga.edu
Learn more about the program at https://youtu.be/ZnhQvRUBaUw.