RSMHP2: Preparing School Counselors for Montana’s Rural Communities

Montana State University is proud to host the Rural School Mental Health Prepare in
Place (RSMHP2) grant, a federally‐funded initiative designed to expand the pipeline
of qualified school mental health professionals in rural and high-need school settings.
With an award of approximately $1.28 million spanning July 2024 to June 2029, RSMHP2
enables graduate students in the online School Counseling program to access significant
financial support while preparing for service in rural Montana schools.
Through the program, eligible students may receive fellowship funds to offset educational
costs, provided they commit to working in a qualifying rural school. The online format
ensures accessibility from remote locations, helping address both geographic and workforce
barriers. By aligning advanced training with actual placement in rural school settings,
RSMHP2 helps ensure that Montana students receive culturally responsive, high-quality
mental health support where it’s most needed.
We invite interested applicants to learn more about eligibility, the application process,
and how they can join a cohort dedicated to strengthening mental health services in
rural schools throughout Montana by contacting the RSMHP2 program director, Dr. Rebecca
Koltz - rebecca.koltz@motana.edu.
Together, we are helping build sustainable support systems for students and educators
across our state.
