About

I am proud to serve as the Program Director for the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work’s Inclusive TEAMS program, created to address the significant disparities in behavioral health care for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth and families. Mental health disparities for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth exist in diagnosing, treatment, and outcomes, evident in alarming trends such as the overdiagnosis of Black youth with behavioral disorders, higher rates of involvement of Black youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and increased suicidality among LGBTQIA+ youth. Inclusive TEAMS aims to equip direct practice MSW students with specialized training in culturally responsive practices to directly address these disparities. 

Identity-based mental health services are essential for ensuring that individuals feel understood, respected, and validated in their experiences. Research has shown that clients—especially those from marginalized backgrounds—are more likely to engage in services and experience positive outcomes when their therapists share or understand their identities. Inclusive TEAMS emphasizes the importance of cultural humility, cultural competence and the ability to tailor care to each client’s unique needs. We believe that effective mental health care involves not only recognizing the challenges people face due to their identities but also leveraging the strengths and resilience these identities often cultivate. Our program empowers students to provide care informed by these perspectives. Through practicum placements at agencies serving diverse populations and ongoing professional development opportunities, our goal is to equip future social workers with the skills they need to improve the lives of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth and families across North Carolina.

~ April Parker, Director of Student Development and Leadership

The goal of Inclusive TEAMS (Inclusive Treatment, Empowerment, Assessments, Mentorship and Social Work Services) is to diversify the workforce and provide specialized training for UNC School of Social Work students working with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth and families. Since the program’s founding in 2023, nine UNC-Chapel Hill Master of Social Work students have completed the program and 21 students are currently being trained in culturally responsive care, providing over 18,000 hours of direct practice service to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth and families in North Carolina. We look forward to expanding our impact as we grow our program in the years to come.

Racial disparities in mental health persist – in diagnosing, treatment, and outcomes. For instance, Black youth are often over diagnosed with behavioral disorders and have higher rates of involvement in child welfare and juvenile justice systems. There are mental health disparities among LGBTQIA+ youth; they are four times more likely to consider suicide. Something needs to be done to address these disparities. We are thankful for the Duke Endowment grant to our Office of Academic and Student Affairs so that we can address these disparities and equip our students with specialized training. The specialized training received in Inclusive TEAMS will assist students in providing culturally appropriate services.

Inclusive TEAMS supports and prepares MSW students to Behavioral Health services to BIPOC/LGBTQIA+ youth in underserved NC communities through the following components:

• Provide $10,000 stipends for final year direct practice students in practicum placements serving BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth and families
• Provide a $2,500 career start-up stipend if upon graduation the student is employed by an agency or organization that serves the target population in an underserved county in North Carolina 
• Provide mentoring and career coaching to support student personal and professional development during their final year Provide Specialized Training
• Offer workshops developed with collaborative partners
• Develop courses focused on target populations
• Enhance curriculum, continuing education
• Improve cultural knowledge by leading or participating in community service opportunities

We are deeply grateful to the Duke Endowment for their provision of a grant to the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work’s Office of Academic and Student Affairs which has made the Inclusive TEAMS program possible.

Learn more about the Duke Endowment and their contributions to child & family well-being. For information on how to support the Inclusive TEAMS program, please use our Contact Us form.