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UR-SOS awarded two SAMHSA grants to support School-Based Mental Health training and technical assistance
Friday, September 25, 2026
UR-SOS will expand its regional school mental health training and technical assistance through two complementary SAMHSA-funded initiatives: UR-SOS CARES, supported by a Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) grant, and its partnership in a new Project AWARE grant awarded to Dundee Central School District.
Together, these initiatives represent approximately $2.1 million in anticipated funding for UR-SOS over the next five years.
UR-SOS CARES will strengthen the capacity of educators and other youth-serving professionals to recognize and respond to mental health concerns and connect young people with appropriate support. This initiative will expand mental health awareness training and reinforce the partnerships needed to support early identification and access to care.
Dundee Central School District’s Project AWARE award totals $7.5 million over five years ($1.5 million annually) and will support the Rural School Mental Health Consortium, a partnership of 11 school districts, URochester Medicine, the New York State Mental Health Alliance, TST BOCES, and community behavioral health partners serving the Southern Tier. UR-SOS will serve as a major clinical training, consultation, and implementation partner. The project—“Building Rural School Behavioral Health Workforce Capacity: A Three-Tiered Framework for Prevention, Early Intervention, and Sustainable Systems”—will strengthen workforce development, prevention and early intervention, and evidence-based Tier 2 and Tier 3 services.
Psychiatry members involved with this effort include Melissa Heatly, PhD, Allison A. Stiles, PhD, Bri Daniels, LMHC-D, Laura Perrone, PhD, Kristine DiBitetto, Linda Alpert-Gillis, PhD, Michael Scharf, MD, and the larger UR-SOS team.
“Together, UR-SOS CARES and our partnership in Dundee’s Project AWARE initiative will strengthen our school mental health technical assistance infrastructure and expand coordinated training, consultation, and implementation support across the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier. These investments will help districts build more comprehensive school mental health systems while addressing persistent behavioral health workforce and access challenges,” says Melissa Heatly, PhD, UR-SOS Co-Director.
Allison Stiles, PhD named as a Rochester Business Journal Forty Under 40 Honoree
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Congratulations to Allison Stiles, PhD, who was recently named a Forty Under 40 Honoree by Rochester Business Journal! This award recognizes Rochester's future leaders, especially those who have not only achieved success in their careers but also given back to the community.
Dr. Stiles will join other honorees at an award ceremony in November.
School Year Stress: Acing the Back-to-School Season | URochester Newsroom
Monday, August 24, 2026
The beginning of the school year brings busy schedules, routine adjustments, and—for many—lots of stress. Parents and caregivers juggle concerns about academics, mental health, social media, school safety, sleep, and busy family schedules. Being prepared, mindful, and having the necessary tools to organize your family routines can help reduce your stress and anxiety.
Child and adolescent psychologist Dr. Allison Stiles, PhD, and clinical psychologist Dr. Melissa Heatly provide tips for children and teens adjusting to a new routine.
Read Full Article - School Year Stress: Acing the Back-to-School Season
Melissa Heatly, PhD, Receives Satcher Early-Stage Faculty Award
Friday, May 8, 2026
Building Healthier Communities: Satcher Awards Honor Those Making a Difference
Melissa Heatly, PhD, a clinical child and adolescent psychologist and assistant professor of Psychiatry, was honored with the Satcher Early-Stage Faculty award. Through her work with the Rochester City School District (RCSD), she has dramatically improved access to mental healthcare for children and youth who are among our most vulnerable because of poverty and social drivers of health.
Read Full Article - Building Healthier Communities
WROC-TV Monthly Checkup with Dr. Allison Stiles: School Avoidance
Friday, March 6, 2026
WROC-TV Monthly Checkup with URMC child psychologist, Dr. Allison Stiles
School Avoidance
Read more WROC-TV Monthly Checkup with Dr. Allison Stiles: School Avoidance