The Loyola University Chicago School Psychology Program has been awarded a five-year US Dept of Education Grant to prepare preservice bilingual and bicultural school psychologists through the Puentes Fellows Program. We also support and provide ongoing professional development with practicing school psychologists in our partner districts (Berwyn North Elementary District 98, Cicero Elementary District 99, and Morton High School District 201) to enhance the culturally relevant mental health services they provide with P-12 students in high needs schools.

We offer an opportunity for candidates admitted to Loyola's M.ed./Ed.S. School Psychology program to apply to the Puentes Fellows program. Through this program, Puentes Fellows will receive tuition coverage, a training stipend, and coverage of some fees (e.g., student development/technology).  Puentes Fellows will complete their practicum and internships in a partner district (contingent on available slots), and participate in didactic seminars and a summer institute centered on culturally and linguistically responsive mental health support with bilingual and bicultural P-12 students. There will also be an opportunity to attend the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) annual convention in the second year of the program.  

Puentes Fellows will also support the delivery of a Work Force Development Program to acquaint youth living in the Berwyn/Cicero community with possible school-based mental health careers. This program is a collaboration with Youth Crossroads, Inc., a community mental health service agency in Berwyn.