Local leaders sign agreement to strengthen behavioral health education, services in Missouri

Burrell Behavioral Health and Stephens College signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday, May 31, 2019, as a first step toward an innovative co-branded partnership focused on developing highly qualified behavioral and mental health professionals to serve mid-Missouri.

The agreement was signed by Stephens College President Dianne Lynch and Burrell Behavioral Health Central Region President Mathew Gass. The signing event also included remarks by Mark Skrade, Director of Academic Partnerships for Burrell, and Mark Taylor, Stephens College Board of Trustees president. The Stephens College Board of Trustees also attended the event as part of their year-end meeting. The event was held in the Kimball Ballroom of Lela Raney Wood Hall on Stephens’ campus.

“This agreement with Stephens College is a watershed moment for Burrell in our Central Region and for Burrell as a whole,” Gass said. “To be able to partner with a first-class institution of higher learning in order to train and employ the future of the behavioral health community is very exciting. In order to address the mental health needs of our communities, we simply have to have the best and brightest working on the solution. This is a huge step in that direction.”

“Stephens College is exceeding pleased to be working with Burrell,” Lynch said. “Burrell is recognized for their demonstrated commitment to our community and their employees. Our students will benefit from direct access to this premier local employer. Our counseling program will be enhanced by the Burrell students sharing their experiences. And the mid-Missouri community will benefit from an increase in highly qualified behavioral health professionals.”

The MOU is the first step toward a partnership that is expected to include: Burrell directly and actively recruiting Stephens undergraduate students, particularly those in psychology and related programs; and creating pathways to enable Burrell employees to pursue their Master of Education in Counseling or additional certifications more quickly, building off of Stephens’ long-term success in this co-educational graduate program. Other plans are in development.

About Burrell Behavioral Health

Burrell Behavioral Health is the second-largest behavioral health center in Missouri. They work with more than 45,000 clients across 25 counties in Missouri and Arkansas. Burrell has more than 130 licensed providers offering a full continuum of care through its integrated network. Services include individual therapy and counseling, addiction recovery, psychiatric and medication management, educational and therapeutic groups, crisis intervention, medication-assisted treatment, adult stabilization, case management, residential treatment, autism, diagnostic testing and evaluations and developmental disability support. Learn more about Burrell’s programs and services at www.burrellcenter.com.

About Stephens College

Stephens College is celebrating 185 years of providing individualized and innovative educational opportunities serving students from mid-Missouri and around the world. Driven by a mission to Learn. Grow. Lead., the College has built a foundation for the 21st century by committing to hands-on experiential learning, the expansion of degree programs in the health sciences and creative arts, as well as targeted investment in programs of study where top-quality educational experiences lead to meaningful professional careers. Committed to a women’s college education at the undergraduate level, Stephens College is also known as a leader in providing flexible co-educational continuing education and master’s-level degree programs. Learn more about Stephens College at www.stephens.edu.