CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Right now, those who need a therapist in rural South Carolina might wait months, or drive hours for care; a new program could change that reality for thousands of families.

Those finding mental health and behavioral specialists in the Lowcountry faces two major barriers: long travel times and a provider shortage. The University of South Carolina’s new program aims to close that gap by recruiting students who understand rural challenges firsthand.

South Carolina ranks 49th in the country for mental health access. The Rural Occupations Workforce Expansion program, called ROWE, is funded by the South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare.

Program focuses on local recruitment

The key to the program’s approach is recruiting students who grew up in rural

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