The AAMFT Blog

Minority Fellowship Program Applications Are Open

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MFP Applications for the 2023-2024 year is currently open and will close Saturday, February 11, 2023. 

The AAMFT Research and Education Foundation's Minority Fellowship Program offers three Fellowships. The MFP is one of the longest running behavioral health workforce development grants funded by the federal government – funding provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

These Fellowships are: 

1. Dissertation Completion Fellowship (DCF)-For doctoral students at the dissertation stage of their curriculum; 
2. Doctoral Fellowship (DF)-For doctoral students still in the process of completing pre-dissertation core curriculum; 
3. Minority Fellowship Program- Youth (MFP-Y)-For masters students interested in service provision to the nation’s youth. 

Find more application information, click here. 

Email the Minority Fellowship Program staff with any questions or concerns at [email protected]. 

2022 Call For Awards

Each year, AAMFT and the Research & Education Foundation honors individuals for their unique contributions to MFT research and practice. We invite you to nominate or apply for the awards starting September 1, 2021!

All nominations and applications are submitted online. The deadline for submitting applications for the AAMFT and Foundation 2022 Awards is December 15, 2021. In order to learn more about each award and it qualifications please visit AAMFT Awards or the Foundation website . Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]!

The Foundation has historically partnered with AAMFT and academic communities to identify grantmaking opportunities for emerging researchers, trainers and educators, and innovative contributors who benefit the field through their work. Through modest resources, the Foundation has supported hundreds of deserving professionals through various grants and awards. The Foundation’s contributions to the advancement of research through financial awards illustrate its past success and promise for the future.

Visit our website to view other Foundation award winners and make your contribution , so the Foundation can continue doing this important work!

2021 AAMFT and Foundation Award Winners

The 2021 Awards Committee received many thoughtful and inspiring nominations that highlight the important work being done by AAMFT members to advance the profession of marriage and family therapy. We thank the Committee, chaired by Dr. Amanda G. Szarzynski and comprised of Dr. Sarah E. Lyon and Dr. Darren D. Moore, for reviewing these nominees and selecting our winners.

*AAMFT Awards

*Foundation Awards

 

Awards Introduction Video

Training Award

Richard Miller

Dissertation Award

Mary Nedela – Virginia Tech

Kwin Willis – Brigham Young University

Master’s Thesis Award

Jessica Simpson – Virginia Tech

Graduate Student Research Award

Sapna Srivastava – Florida State University

Marissa Mosley – Florida State University

Diversity Scholarship for Emerging Leaders

Starlin Astacio – Antioch University

Lindsey Washington – California State University, Dominquez Hills

Emeritus

Pauline Boss, PhD

David Olson, PhD

Alan Hovestadt, PhD

 

Mental Health Awareness Month: The AAMFT Research and Education Foundation

Mental Health Awareness Month is Here! (also referred to as "Mental Health Month") has been observed in May in the United States since 1949, reaching millions of people in the United States through the media, local events, and screenings. Its purpose is to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illnesses, the realities of living with these conditions; and strategies for attaining mental health and wellness. Additionally, Mental Health Awareness Month strives to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses.

The AAMFT Research and Education Foundation continues to work on projects and programs that need your support to provide systemic family therapists the best resources. We also serve to recognize those in the field who are going above and beyond in the profession and their communities.

Did you know:

• Close to 500 MFTs in training have received Foundation support in their vital work with underserved populations in the United States.
• Nearly 100 MFTs and those in training have received recognition from the Foundation for their research into advancing our profession and the practice of MFT.
• Vital trainings and initiatives focused on working with emergent issues such as treatment of immigrants and refugees and supporting families impacted by incarceration are being developed by the Foundation.
• The Foundation works with partners and programs such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Mental Health US, and Don’t Deny Me to bring needed attention to the crippling barriers to mental health services in an effort to increase access for all.

The AAMFT Foundation is funded entirely by contributions from MFTs from around the world who want to help influence positive change in our society. But without your support, these efforts won’t continue.

Join your fellow MFTs today by donating to the AAMFT Research and Education Foundation to support our commitment to building a better tomorrow for us all.

With a range of stimulating programs and activities, the Foundation is continuously pushing innovation and creativity in systemic family therapy. Donors can feel good that contributions are helping students learn and advance therapy knowledge and skills; that MFTs are benefiting from inspirational and educational speakers; and soon to be therapists are recognized for their diligence and ingenuity in research. The future of the Foundation is focused on developing the next generation of innovative ideas to advance the practice and profession of systemic family therapy!

The Foundation is committed to distinctiveness, innovation, and excellence for the advancement of the marriage and family therapy profession. Committed MFTs share and participate in our vision through academic, advisory, or financial contributions. The AAMFT Foundation presents an extraordinary opportunity for visionary individuals, companies and foundations to support critical initiatives that produce better outcomes and build stronger families.

We encourage you visit our website to learn more about our work and make a donation to the Foundation during Mental Health Awareness Month! 

April is Second Chance Month

 

April is Second Chance Month and is meant to raise awareness and improve perceptions of people with a criminal record, encourage second-chance opportunities, and drive momentum for policy change throughout the country.

In 2020, the AAMFT Research and Education Foundation in partnership with Honoree Trustees Chef Jeff Henderson and Stacy-Womack Henderson, put out a request for proposal- Identifying Resiliency and Protective Factors of Recently Incarcerated. Dr. Amy Morgan was awarded this proposal for her submission entitled- Developing a redemptive identity: a mixed methods study exploring post-incarceration resiliency.

Learn more about Dr. Morgan and her study in this video. 

Identifying Resiliency and Protective Factors of Recently Incarcerated

Stacy Womack-Henderson, a respected life coach and mentor, and Chef Jeff Henderson, a passionate and talented chef, make for an incredible team. Their inspiring journey together began while Jeff was incarcerated in federal prison and quickly evolved into the creation of a beautiful family together, including five children.

An inspirational couple married over 21 years, Jeff and Stacy are champions of change and positivity in the world by way of their deep devotion to such causes as overcoming adversity, marriage, and family. Together they encourage self-empowerment, and childhood development.

Their combined wealth of knowledge empowers individuals to achieve life-changing transformation. The Foundation is proud to have the Henderson’s as Honoree Trustees and our work with them on a pilot study – Identifying Resiliency and Protective Factors of Recently Incarcerated.

The Foundation’s Request for Proposal recently finished, and we received many thoughtful proposals and truly appreciate everyone’ support of the Research and Education Foundation and this project. We are extremely excited to announce that Amy Morgan, PhD from the University of Maryland College Park has been selected for her proposal entitled, Developing a redemptive identity: a mixed methods study exploring post-incarceration resiliency.

The study overview- The majority of post-incarceration research is devoted to identifying predictors of recidivism for the nearly two-thirds (i.e., 68-77%) of individuals who return to carceral settings. Yet, far less is known about mechanisms of resilience for the approximately 17% who successfully desist. The goal of this mixed-methods pilot study is to identify internal and external resilience factors that build resilience and promote desistance among formerly incarcerated individuals. Findings from this research will serve as an important focal point for future intervention development dedicated to fostering resilience, individually and relationally, for those finding their way home after incarceration.  

We appreciate Dr. Morgan’s efforts and hard work, which she put into this proposal. Our reviewers were quite impressed with her proposal and the clear commitment to the subject matter.

Dr. Amy Morgan is currently Assistant Professor in the Couple & Family Therapy Master’s Program at the University of Maryland College Park.

*If this is project that interests you, please consider making a donation to the AAMFT Research and Education Foundation, so that we can continue to support these projects and programs to assist with the advancement of systemic marriage and family therapy!   

Minority Fellowship Program Applications Are Open

MFP Applications for the 2020-2021 year is currently open and will close Friday, February 14, 2020.

The AAMFT Research and Education Foundation's Minority Fellowship Program offers three Fellowships. The MFP is one of the longest running behavioral health workforce development grants funded by the federal government – funding provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These Fellowships are:

1. Dissertation Completion Fellowship (DCF)-For doctoral students at the dissertation stage of their curriculum;
2. Doctoral Fellowship (DF)-For doctoral students still in the process of completing pre-dissertation core curriculum;
3. Minority Fellowship Program- Youth (MFP-Y)-For masters students interested in service provision to the nation’s youth.

Find more information here.

Email the Minority Fellowship Program staff with any questions or concerns at [email protected].

Mental Health for US

The AAMFT Research & Education Foundation is a proud sponsor of Mental Health for US.

This initiative is a nonpartisan educational initiative focused on elevating mental health and addiction in policy conversations by empowering grassroots advocates and improving candidate and policymaker health literacy. The Mental Health for US coalition is comprised of stakeholder groups from around the country dedicated to uniting the American people to make systemic, long-term change with civic engagement tools and resources.

Join us in signing the Mental Health for US statement of support to show policymakers our community is here and our voice matters!

Download and share the Mental Health and Addiction fact sheet.

Minority Fellowship Program Volunteer Applications Open for 2019-20 Year

Calling all Minority Fellowship Program Alumni and leaders in the Marriage and Family Therapy field! The AAMFT Research & Education Foundation is excited to announce that the Minority Fellowship Program Volunteer Applications for the 2019-20 year are now open. This is an opportunity for you to contribute to the efforts of the MFP in shaping the marriage and family therapy workforce and enhancing the field of mental health. You may apply to any of these positions listed below here!

Three significant ways that you can enhance the profession:

Ad- hoc Review Positions

• Ad-hoc reviewers serve as initial reviewers on eligible applications for the Doctoral (MFP-DF/DCF) and Master’s (MFP-Y) Fellowships offered by the MFP.
• No term limit

Mentor Positions

• MFP Mentors provide academic, professional and career development guidance to AAMFT MFP Fellows.
• MFP Mentors are marriage and family therapists or other behavioral health professional volunteers.
• No term limit

Advisory Committee Positions

• Professional Member Positions and Public Member Positions
• Advisory Committee members provide programmatic and professional
  guidance aid in the growth and development of the AAMFT Minority Fellowship Program.
• Attend all MFP Advisory Committee (AC) meetings. There are 1-2 Advisory Committee meetings annually in the DC Metro area.
• Committee members serves as reviewers and assist in the determination of Fellows.
• This position serves a 2-3-year term

To select the volunteer position you wish to apply for, please visit the MFP Volunteer Application Information Page.

If you have any questions or concerns email the AAMFT Minority Fellowship Program at [email protected]

Application deadline has been extended to September 23, 2019

Support the AAMFT Research & Education Foundation on #GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday harnesses the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real-world change in their community, their region and throughout the globe. It provides a platform to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents to address humanitarian causes. It also brings together the collective power of unique, yet like-minded partners including non-profits, corporations, faith-based organizations as well as families and friends.

Making a charitable donation is not only a chance to make a difference: it's also an excellent way to reduce your tax burden for the year. The tax benefit is considered a compelling reason for making charitable deductions. Per IRS regulation, contributions made to the AAMFT Research & Education Foundation, qualified under Section 501 (c)(3), are 100% tax deductible as a charitable contribution.

As with everything in tax law, it's important to follow the rules. To claim a charitable deduction on your tax return, you must itemize your deductions. You report itemized deductions on Schedule A on your federal form 1040 using lines 16-19.

Make your #GivingTuesday contribution HERE!

Minority Fellowship Program Volunteers Needed

The AAMFT Research & Education Foundation is excited to announce that the Minority Fellowship Program Volunteer Applications for the 2018-19 year are now open! The MFP is funded by grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), focused on training of doctoral and master’s level practitioners and researchers in culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services, treatment, and prevention. The MFP has supported the training of over 1,700 Fellows from various mental health disciplines including marriage and family therapy.

There are many ways that you can contribute to the efforts of the MFP in shaping the marriage and family therapy workforce and enhancing the field of mental health.

Positions include:

Advisory Committee Member (Professional and Public Member)

MFP Mentors

Ad-hoc members/ Initial Reviewers

Volunteering for the MFP is an amazing opportunity to further the mission of expanding culturally competent mental health services to underserved populations, contribute to the growth and development of the behavioral health workforce, and gain access to members with similar interests and professional goals.

Review the volunteer position you wish to apply for on the MFP Volunteer Application Information Page.

 

To learn more about this opportunity please attend one of our free volunteer webinars:

Thursday March 29, 2018, 2:30 PM -3:30PM ET Click here to Join

Thursday April 19, 2018, 2:30PM -3:30PM ET Click here to join  

Volunteer Applications are due Friday June 29, 2018

This #GivingTuesday, Make Your Charitable Contribution to the AAMFT Research and Education Foundation

#GivingTuesday harnesses the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real-world change in their community, their region and throughout the globe. It provides a platform to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents to address humanitarian causes. It also brings together the collective power of unique, yet like-minded partners including non-profits, corporations, faith-based organizations as well as families and friends. 

Making a charitable donation is not only a chance to make a difference: it's also an excellent way to reduce your tax burden for the year. The tax benefit is considered a compelling reason for making charitable deductions. Per IRS regulation, contributions made to the AAMFT Research & Education Foundation, qualified under Section 501 (c)(3), are 100% tax deductible as a charitable contribution.

As with everything in tax law, it's important to follow the rules. To claim a charitable deduction on your tax return, you must itemize your deductions. You report itemized deductions on Schedule A on your federal form 1040 using lines 16-19.

Make your #GivingTuesday contribution HERE!