February 2024

From the MFP Director: Greetings From Dr. Cooke  As we delve into Black History Month, let's take a moment to acknowledge advocates of the past and present who have tirelessly championed equity and representation in Black communities. This is also the time to acknowledge and celebrate the 50-year legacy of MFP researchers, clinicians, professors, administrators, advocates, and social workers, who have worked to amplify Black voices and create inclusive spaces. As members and allies of the BIPOC community, MFP fellows and alumni offer a valuable perspective that allows us to honor occasions like Black History Month in a meaningful manner.  I recognize that the journey toward equity and the fight for social justice is arduous, agonizing, and ongoing, and I encourage everyone to continue working towards fostering equitable change.  Moreover, CSWE’s MFP stands tall because of your unwavering commitment, and we're thrilled to mark 50 years of nurturing MSW and doctoral students as they discover their voices as social workers. As we prepare for the application review process, we rely on your assistance in selecting MFP’s outstanding scholars. Applications for the 50th doctoral cohort are now open, and we're seeking application readers to join us in identifying the next wave of exceptional scholars.  In the spirit of this month, we are also gearing up for CSWE's Fellows Forum, a gathering where CSWE student fellows convene to delve into topics spanning research, policy, and practice. We eagerly anticipate hosting CSWE’s fellows as they learn strategies for advancing social policy and effecting positive change. We aim to empower fellows with the tools and knowledge needed to advocate for equitable change in social work, education, and beyond.  Through continuous dialogue, we can ensure that we are deliberate in our efforts to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of social work education and social justice. We appreciate your support as we commemorate 50 years of excellence. We look forward to a future marked by ongoing growth and purposeful impact. Warm regards, Collina D. Cooke, PhD, LCSW-C

Fellow Spotlight

MFP fellows impact not only their immediate communities, but the world in an abundance of ways through their dedication and service in the mental health and substance use sectors of the profession. They are consistently working towards the goals of the program’s funder, SAMHSA, by improving behavioral health outcomes for racial and ethnic populations through direct practice, research, teaching, learning, and advocacy measures. Learn more about two phenomenal master’s level MFP fellows below.

Khalid Tellis is a Master of Science in Social Work candidate at Columbia University. He is an Advanced Clinical Practice in Social Work student focusing on health, mental health, and disabilities. His current research interests include the integration of spirituality and religion in psychotherapy and culturally relevant responses and interventions for Black adolescents with suicidal behaviors. During his first year at Columbia, Khalid was selected as an inaugural Social Work Pathways Initiative Fellow for students interested in pursuing a PhD. Before Columbia, Khalid spent nearly a decade as an educator. He taught high school English and worked at both private and public schools. As an undergraduate, Khalid attended Middlebury College in Vermont, studying abroad for a semester at the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the University of Oxford. After graduating from Middlebury, he spent the first 2 years of his teaching career as a Teach for America Corps member in the Mississippi Delta. Khalid holds a Master of Science in education from Johns Hopkins University. As a Generalist student, he was a forensic social work intern at the Legal Aid Society in the Juvenile Rights Practice. He is a couples and family therapist trainee through the social work and diversity program at the Ackerman Institute for the Family for his specialization year. After his upcoming graduation in May 2024, Khalid plans to secure a position as a psychotherapist working with BIPOC families and Black men.

Inspired by a desire to provide meaningful support to individuals and families, Andria Reta embarked on her journey into social work with a passion for fostering holistic well-being. With a background spanning diverse realms of public health policy and social services, including women's health, birth support, advocacy for older adults, and aiding those impacted by homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and disabilities, she has garnered invaluable insights into complex societal issues. Her commitment to effecting meaningful change is evidenced through her involvement as part of the mental health and community wellness team of Health Professionals 4 Tigray, where she focuses on enhancing the infrastructure of culturally aligned mental health services in conflict-affected regions. Additionally, serving as the interim board chair for Delivering Innovative Supportive Housing, a permanent supportive housing organization, Andria offers guidance and support in providing stable housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness. As a practicum student in a community mental health setting, Andria gains valuable experience supporting adults with co-occurring disorders, further enriching her understanding of mental health challenges, and refining her therapeutic skills. Beyond these professional endeavors, Andria is working on a children's book and creating a mindfulness journal to empower individuals on their healing journeys. After graduation, Andria looks forward to developing social enterprises to enable refugees to achieve self-sufficiency while deeply respecting and preserving their cultural heritage and community ties.
 

Celebrating MFP’s Legacy

Did you know that 2024 will mark 50 years since CSWE’s MFP was awarded a grant by the National Institute of Mental Health to increase the number of minority doctoral students majoring in mental health research? This first award was the catalyst for the program we celebrate today. Please take time to acknowledge those who paved the way with our ongoing MFP Legacy section highlighting those fellows who first were awarded fellowship. Find information on all 15 of the 1975–1976 cohort of MFP doctoral fellows here. Below is one fellow’s biographical profile from when they were a fellow.

“Jeremiah P. Cotton is a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, which he attended following considerable community involvement in a range of professional and voluntary positions. He will be studying for a doctoral degree at the University of Michigan.” 
 

Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, recognized and celebrated in the month of February, the MFP would like to highlight the contributions of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) for the impact they’ve had on the social work profession since the 1960s. From 1960, they formed advocacy groups that recognized the need for educational institutions that educate and inform ethical and culturally competent practices for social workers, an initiative aligned with MFP's goals. Learn more about NABSW, their contributions, National Conference, and notable publications.
 

We Need You! Volunteer With CSWE's MFP

There are many opportunities to volunteer with CSWE’s MFP this upcoming fellowship year. You do not have to be an MFP alumnus to volunteer, volunteering is not time consuming, you do not need to be a social work educator to serve, you get back what you give, and the time to apply is now! Here’s how you can help:

1.    Mentor a master’s or doctoral student: Support the academic and career development of a student passionate about meeting the needs of BIPOC communities.

2.    Be a guest speaker: Share your subject matter expertise by speaking on one of the topics, requested by incoming students (see below). Alternatively, if there’s a topic you believe to be of value to this group, please reach out to discuss it with our team.

• Abolitionist social work
• Disability-centered social work practice
• Grants 101
• Grief
• Inclusive sex therapy
• Innovative research methods
• Innovative treatment modalities
• LGBTQ youth mental health
• Narrative therapy
• Pathways to clinical licensure
• Postgraduation trials and tribulations
• Program evaluation
• Role of social work in reentry
• Social work and the arts
• Strengths-based approaches to working with BIPOC communities
• Supporting international students

3.    Join our advisory committee: Put your great ideas to great use—steer the program and provide input on key areas, including programming, alumni engagement, and applicant recruitment.

4.    Become an application reader: Support the selection of the next cohort of master’s and doctoral MFP fellows!

Find more information about getting involved and apply today!
 

2024–2025 Doctoral Application Open

Since its inception in 1974, the Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) has been steadfast in its commitment to shaping the future of social work professionals, nurturing their skills and knowledge. As we embark on another impactful year, we are delighted to announce the launch of the 2024–2025 Doctoral MFP Application—a significant milestone as we welcome the 50th doctoral cohort at CSWE's MFP! Applications opened January 17, 2024, and will be accepted until March 22, 2024. Apply to become an MFP doctoral fellow today by visiting the link. 

Have a question about the application and process? Please review MFP's Frequently Asked Questions and the MFP Doctoral Application Guidebook.

To accompany this process, we also invite you to participate in three interactive sessions designed to provide valuable insights and details about the program. Whether you are seeking comprehensive program information, interested in learning from current doctoral fellows, or eager to participate in an interactive Q&A session with MFP staff, these sessions are tailored for all interested applicants. Please find details on each session below:

Information Session
Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Time: 12:30–2:00 PM (ET)
Recording will be posted to the MFP website soon.
 
Q&A With Current Doctoral Fellows
Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM–4:00 PM (ET)
Recording will be posted to the MFP website soon.
 
Q&A Session With MFP Staff
Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM–3:00 PM (ET)
Location: Zoom
Register: https://cswe.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErduurrz8pHNGDufxSHw7kTv5NtAnrF0my
 

Call for Submissions CSWE’s MFP’s 50th Anniversary Special Issue: March 18 Deadline

Be a part of CSWE's MFP history! The Journal of Social Work Education invites submissions for the forthcoming special issue, "Celebrating 50 Years of CSWE's Minority Fellowship Program: Reflecting on the Program's Presence and Impact." All authors must submit their article via JSWE's submission & review system. MFP Fellows and alumni are encouraged to submit. Read the full Call for Submissions for this special issue and the JSWE submission guidelines. The deadline to submit an article is Monday, March 18, 2024.

Update Your Contact Information

Have you changed jobs in the last few years? Changed your primary email address? The CSWE’s MFP relies on current contact information for our internal database, which we use to contact alumni and help us prepare our reports for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Please use this link to share your updated contact information. Additionally, you are encouraged to reach out to MFP alumni you are connected with and request that they share their updated information too. Thank you in advance for supporting MFP staff efforts to enhance connectedness in the MFP community.
 

Resources

Conference
The National Association of Black Social Workers’ (NABSW) 56th Annual Conference—“Destination Liberation: Social Workers Empowering Change”
When: March 26–30, 2024
Where: Hyatt Regency New Orleans, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70113, United States
Register Here

Training
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for Substance Use (SBIRT) Training for Health and Behavioral Health Professionals

Learn more about the free self-paced online course or purchasing continuing education units for this training. 

Learning Opportunity
Learn more about substance use/mental health disorders and the intersection of supporting kinship families provided by the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW).


Contribution From Past Fellows
In 2021, now Justin S. Harty, PhD, MSW, LCSW, as a doctoral candidate and MFP fellow emphasized that Black social work history is social work history. He shared in a video what inspired his efforts to compile a bibliography of more than 100 articles and books on Black contributions to mutual aid, social welfare, and social work history. Thank you, Dr. Harty for providing this invaluable resource! See Dr. Harty’s bibliography compilation from 2021.