Bresnahan Secures Federal Funding to Train Rehabilitation Counselors in Northeastern PA
SCRANTON, PA: Today, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) announced that he helped secure nearly $1 million in federal funding for the University of Scranton to support its nationally recognized Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Program. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration.
The five-year grant, totaling $999,909.16, will provide tuition scholarships for graduate students, expand online and hybrid learning options, and help address regional workforce shortages of highly qualified rehabilitation counselors.
“The University of Scranton plays an important role in preparing students for careers that meet real needs in our communities,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “That’s why I’m proud to have helped secure this critical funding to expand access to training and help address workforce shortages in rehabilitation and counseling services. I will always fight to bring tax dollars back to Northeastern Pennsylvania to strengthen programs our communities rely on.”
“The clinical rehabilitation counseling field is a shining of example of what it means to be 'for and with others,' a Jesuit ideal we hold dear at The University of Scranton. Our students are trained to treat — but even more importantly, accompany — individuals as they face emotional, physical and psychological challenges,” said Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University of Scranton president. “We are very grateful to Rep. Bresnahan and the RSE for their support of this program, which has helped countless people live better lives thanks to the expert care they received from Scranton graduates.”
The grant will allow the program, previously offered only on campus, to be available fully online or in a hybrid format, making it accessible to a broader and more diverse group of students.
Established in 1965, the University of Scranton’s Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Program is one of the oldest programs of its kind at a Catholic college or university in the nation. Nearly 1,000 graduates have gone on to serve individuals with disabilities nationwide, collectively reaching an estimated 1.5 million clients nationwide, according to the University.
The University of Scranton’s rehabilitation counseling program is currently ranked No. 2 in Pennsylvania and among the top 50 programs nationally by U.S. News & World Report.
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