SC State counseling initiatives awarded $4.5M in federal support
Graduate programs to prepare counselors serving children with disabilities
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State University has been awarded a second $1.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to expand graduate-level counselor training focused on Trauma-Informed Counseling School Services (TICSS) for children and adolescents with disabilities.
The new award builds on the success of SC State’s first OSERS-funded initiative, the Counseling Children and Adolescents with Disabilities (C-CAD) program, which has been funded again for 2025–2026. Together, the two projects total $2.5 million to prepare highly qualified counselors to serve children experiencing mental health, trauma, and disability-related challenges.
Expanded support for graduate counselor training
The TICSS project will prepare graduate students to provide trauma-informed counseling services for school-aged youth affected by trauma and disability. Six scholars will receive full scholarships covering tuition, fees, and an 11-month cost-of-living stipend while completing a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or Counselor Education. Scholars also will receive specialized training in school-based trauma-informed counseling practices.
The C-CAD program likewise will continue to provide full scholarships for six students pursuing a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or Counselor Education with training focused on counseling children and adolescents with disabilities. With the addition of the TICSS scholars, a total of 12 students will receive full financial support to obtain master’s degrees and specialty credentials.
Faculty leadership and community impact
“This continued funding from the U.S. Department of Education underscores the national importance of preparing counselors who are trauma-informed and culturally responsive,” said Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten, professor and project director for both grants. “These programs strengthen our capacity to train the next generation of professionals who will serve children, families, and schools across South Carolina and beyond.”
The C-CAD and TICSS projects are housed in SC State’s Department of Human Services in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Both align with the OSERS Personnel Preparation Priority (ALN 84.325M), which supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges, and other Minority-Serving Institutions in developing personnel to serve children with disabilities in school and community settings.
Strengthening partnerships and preparing the workforce
“This achievement is another proud moment for South Carolina State University,” said SC State President Alexander Conyers. “The continued investment from the U.S. Department of Education underscores our university’s national reputation for preparing highly skilled, compassionate professionals who strengthen schools and communities. These grants reflect our mission to serve as a catalyst for positive change across South Carolina and beyond.”
The programs also continue SC State’s partnerships with Orangeburg Mental Health, Orangeburg County School District, and the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, ensuring real-world training opportunities and professional placements for graduates in mental health, vocational rehabilitation, and school counseling settings.
“The recognition of SC State through this additional federal funding reinforces the academic excellence and leadership of South Carolina State University,” said Dr. Fredrick Evans, vice president for academic affairs. “It highlights the dedication of our counseling faculty and the quality of our graduate programs in preparing professionals who meet the evolving needs of our schools and communities.”
For details about the Rehabilitation Counseling or Counselor Education graduate programs or scholarship opportunities, email Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten at bhollis@scsu.edu.
Two grants, big impact for SC State grad students in Rehabilitation Counseling
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State University’s Rehabilitation Counselingprogram has been awarded two U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) grants totaling $1,999,590.
Each grant — nearly $1 million over five years — will support students enrolled in SC State’s master’s degree Rehabilitation Counseling program.
SC State President Alexander Conyers praised the award.
“These grants directly strengthen the workforce pipeline in rehabilitation counseling while lowering financial barriers for our graduate students,” Conyers said. “It’s the kind of investment that changes lives and expands the support system for people with disabilities across our state and nation.”
Dr. Michelle Priester, professor and coordinator of the online Addiction and Trauma certificate program, and Dr. Tammara Thomas, associate professor and coordinator of the Rehabilitation Counseling program, serve as co-project directors.
Project partners include the South Carolina Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Tri-County Commission on Alcohol and Drugs and Orangeburg County School District.
Both grants are housed in SC State’s Department of Human Services within the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.
The first grant — the Rehabilitation Counseling Long-Term Training Mental Health grant — will provide advanced MARC training in substance use and trauma-related disorders to address the national shortage of rehabilitation counseling professionals.
“The Rehabilitation Counseling faculty are very grateful for the opportunity to continue to assist our students in their educational endeavors, even more so with their financial needs,” Priester said. “This assistance helps to shape the new and emerging leaders of the field. We also look forward to our continued partnership with key stakeholders in our community.”
The second grant — the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program for State VR Agencies–Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) — will support training in vocational rehabilitation counseling, transitional services and assistive technology/AI to advance state and federal VR services.
“It is also very exciting to have the opportunity to expand training opportunities for students who are seeking to expand their level of expertise and competencies that will more effectively address the needs of people with disabilities who are transitioning from high school and desire to have satisfactory and gainful employment, which will lead to a better quality of life,” Thomas said. “This funding provides the opportunity for students to learn more about contemporary strategies such as assistive technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Further, collaboration with state and local education agencies will help to close the gap that exists for students with disabilities who are preparing for post-secondary education and employment.”
Each grant will fund 15 scholars over five years. The program seeks students willing to commit a minimum of two years of graduate preparation. Applications are accepted year-round, and grant recipients receive tuition assistance, a stipend and professional development.
RSA scholarship applicants must submit: (1) evidence of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25; (2) three letters of recommendation from professionals in the field; and (3) a completed scholarship application with documentation of full admission into the SC State Graduate School and Rehabilitation Counseling program.
For information about the Rehabilitation Counseling Long-Term Training Mental Health grant, contact Dr. Michelle Priester at mmaultsb@scsu.edu or Administrative Assistant Edith Gaillard at egailla1@scsu.edu.
For information about the CSPD Long-Term Training Rehabilitation grant, contact Dr. Thomas at Tthoma31@scsu.edu or Gaillard at egailla1@scsu.edu, or call 803-536-8576.