MFP Volunteer Application

About the Minority Fellowship Program

MFP Description

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). Volunteer Position General Information The MFP offers a variety of ways for interested individuals to contribute to the goals of the MFP. Volunteer positions include becoming an MFP Advisory Committee Member, MFP Mentor, Ad-Hoc Reviewer, etc. Additional information on these positions can be found below.  Please note that the MFP does not provide honorariums. We offer reimbursements related to these positions in the form of:
  • Meal Reimbursements for required days of travel/meetings
  • Travel and Hotel related expenses
  • Air Fare
  • Hotel Rooming
  • Parking
  • Etc. 

Ad-Hoc Reviewer Position Description

Becoming an Ad-Hoc reviewer for the Minority Fellowship Program is a great way to help contribute to the growth and development of the MFT workforce. 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. For a description of the fellowships offered by the MFP please visit our Program Information page.

Individuals applying for the Ad-Hoc reviewer position must be senior Marriage and Family Therapy educators or practitioners. Applicants should have a background that includes:
  • Experience working in the areas of substance abuse and mental health services with minority populations for a substantial period of time within their respective behavioral health field;
  • Research experience in mental health issues (preferable among minority and/or underserved populations);
  • Research experience utilizing a quantitative and/or mixed methodological approach;
  • Demonstrated experience working with mental health issues related to children, adolescences and youth age 16-25 with a focus on disadvantaged groups.
Ad-Hoc reviewers are expected to:
  • No term limit.
  • Conduct reviews of assigned student fellowship applications for MFP-Y and MFP-DF/DCF programs. Application reviews will be conducted in Spring 2023.
  • Attend/review all online orientation meeting and materials. There are a total of 1 online orientation meeting that is scheduled for the coming MFP year. Meetings to TBA.
  • Participate in Mock Review process. This process allows new Ad-Hoc reviewers to practice the application of the review rubric and criteria to actual or mock student applications to help facilitate greater inter rater reliability.
  • Participate in Ad-Hoc reviewer summary video conference call at the end of the review cycle to provide feedback on the review process

Additional Information

Becoming an Ad-Hoc Reviewers holds a tremendous value.  It is a great way to gain access to how others are engaging in that is similar to your own.  In particular, it's a great opportunity for MFT faculty to learn more about the fellowship and opportunities available for their students, with a minimal time commitment.

  • All reviews will be done remotely.
  • No travel is required.
  • Reviewers must have access to a computer and stable internet connection.

Interested individuals can apply for this position by email at: [email protected]  

Advisory Committee Position Description

Mission Achievement: Advisory Committee members assist the MFP in achieving its objectives. The MFP has thus far focused on expanding the delivery of culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to undeserved minority populations, including but not limited to racial and ethnic minority children, adolescence, and populations in transition to adulthood (aged 16-25) - and increasing the number of doctoral and master's level culturally competent Marriage and Family Therapists focused on providing research and services to these populations. Public Member Position Individuals applying for the Public Member position must be members of the wider public who have been and/or are currently recipients of mental health services and/or substance abuse treatment services. MFP Advisory Committee Public Members do not have to be professionally aligned with any behavioral health field.

Professional Member Position:
Individuals applying for the Professional Member position must be senior Marriage and Family Therapy educators or practitioners. Applicants should have a background that includes:
  • Experience working in the areas of substance abuse and mental health services with minority populations for a substantial period of time within their respective behavioral health field;
  • Research experience in mental health issues (preferable among minority and/or underserved populations);
  • Experience with the PhD dissertation process from an evaluative perspective: having either served in a supervisory capacity for a dissertation proposal or advised on a dissertation panel;
  • Research experience utilizing a quantitative and/or mixed methodological approach;
  • Demonstrated experience working with mental health issues related to children, adolescences and youth age 16-25 with a focus on disadvantaged groups.
Roles of the Public and Professional Members:
Advisory Committee members will provide programmatic and professional guidance aid in the growth and development of the AAMFT Minority Fellowship Program.  For more information about the AAMFT MFP please visit the MFP Webpage.
Advisory Committee (AC) Members are expected to:
  • Attend all MFP Advisory Committee (AC) meetings. There are 1-2 Advisory Committee meetings annually in the DC Metro area. Anticipated meeting is Early 2023
  • Participate and provide guidance in periodic online and conference call discussions on emerging issues within the program;
  • Provide guidance on program related policy matters. Advisory Committee members will lend their experience and expertise to the establishment of criteria for application review and expansion of the MFP;
  • Complete reviews of student fellowship applications for the MFP.
  • Public Members will serve as a voice for the public on the committee. They should actively advocate for the perspective, concerns and considerations of mental health service consumers as it relates to policy and procedural changes/suggestions put forth by the AC.

Interested individuals can apply for this position by E-mail: [email protected] 

Mentor Position Description

Selected MFP Mentors will provide academic, professional and career development guidance to AAMFT MFP Fellows.  MFP Mentors are marriage and family therapists or other behavioral health professional volunteers and have no term limit in a mentorship capacity for Fellows in the MFP.

 Position Description

AAMFT MFP Mentors should have professional or academic experience in a behavioral health field that lends themselves generally to the areas outlined below:
  • Be currently licensed or certified as a marriage and family therapist or as a practitioner in their respective behavioral health field.
  • Have demonstrated experience working in the areas of substance abuse and mental health services in minority populations for a substantial period within their respective behavioral health field.
  • Demonstrated research interest in mental health issues (preferable among minority and/or underserved populations).
    • AND two or more of the following:
  • Experience with the PhD dissertation process from an evaluative perspective, having served in a supervisory capacity for a dissertation proposal or advised on a dissertation panel.
  • Research experience utilizing a quantitative and/or mixed methodological approach.
  • Demonstrated experience working with mental health issues related to children, adolescences and youth age 16-25 with a focus on disadvantaged groups.
Mentorship Terms and Expectations

Length of Term - No term limit 
Meeting your Mentee - this is facilitated by online forums, conference calls, face-to-face at selected MFP Training events such as the AAMFT Annual Conferences and MFP Training Institutes. Time Commitment - Minimum of one call per academic semester with assigned Fellows and/or face-to-face contact at selected MFP Training Events.

Interested individuals can apply for this position by E-mail: [email protected] 

 

Application Instructions:
Email the MFP Staff with an updated CV, Professional photo, and a brief Biography with the subject line of the Volunteer position you are interested in.