FAHS News Stories
January 26, 2026 - FAHS MFP Program Updates
Recently, the Foundation for the Advancement of Human Systems (FAHS) received communication from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a subagency of the Health and Human Services (HHS), regarding one of our programs, the Minority Fellowship Program. This program is partially funded through a SAMHSA grant initiative and recently changed its goal to increase the number of marriage and family therapist researchers, teachers, and practitioners who will expand mental health, substance use, and prevention services to communities. The reason we are sharing this information is to lead with transparency and communication around the volatility of grant-funded programs.
The communication we received stated that SAMHSA programs would be reduced due to changes in federal initiatives at SAMHSA. This correspondence directly affected the MFP Program, effectively cancelling it. This created uncertainty about the MFP program continuing, as this letter affected its operations. We are glad to report that the MFP Program was among the many reinstated. You may have seen national news articles about the cancellation and reinstatement of several programs at SAMHSA that pertain to mental health and substance use treatment. Please be assured that our organization took every appropriate action to assess the situation responsibly before sharing this information.
The MFP program will continue its operations as normal, as instructed in our correspondence. These operations include moving forward with the MFP Application for the 2026-2027 cohort year across all programs. For the current Fellows, we will continue to provide check-ins during the year to reevaluate the status of the MFP and its impact within our communities.
The FAHS will continue to maintain consistent communication, as transparency remains a top priority.
Now more than ever, it is important that FAHS move forward with increasing its support for the MFP program. We thank the many supporters of FAHS and the MFP program; the opportunities to donate, advocate, and educate many stakeholders remain very important to the MFP program. Please keep the MFP program in mind during one of our fundraising campaigns this year, Mental Health Month, Annual Alumni Appeal, and Giving Tuesday. If you would like to support the MFP program with a monthly or one-time donation, you may use this link.
June 23, 2025 - FAHS MFP Funding Communication & FAQ
The FAHS Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) is committed to transparency as we await final funding approval for the 2025–2026 program year. We are actively communicating with our stakeholders and will continue to share updates as they become available. The FAHS MFP Program is currently under review by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Final approval and funding for the 2025–2026 year are pending. The program remains authorized under the 21st Century Cures Act, but annual funding is subject to congressional appropriations.
To learn more about the current status of the program and what this means for applicants, Fellows, and academic partners, please visit our MFP FAQ document for the latest information.
May 01, 2025 - Cultural Compass Therapy and Workbook Available
Cultural Compass is a thoughtfully curated series of therapeutic activity guides aimed at equipping mental health professionals with culturally-informed tools to better serve diverse and historically marginalized populations. Each volume offers 25 actionable worksheets developed to promote cultural competence, support client engagement, and improve outcomes in mental health and substance use treatment. Rooted in evidence-based practices and collaboration, Cultural Compass is designed to empower therapists with resources that inspire confidence, enhance professional growth, and bridge cultural gaps in clinical care. All proceeds from the purchase of this book will support the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) and the Foundation for the Advancement of Human Systems (FAHS), helping to train and empower mental health professionals serving marginalized communities. Your support ensures that MFP and FAHS can continue their critical work in advancing mental and behavioral health initiatives that promote resilience, equity, and systemic change. Volume 1 is now available.
April 25, 2025 - FAHS Alumni Meeting
The Foundation for the Advancement of Human Systems hosted the first of two meetings with the FAHS MFP alumni this year. FAHS focuses on reconnecting all alumni with the foundation and developing more substantial support for the MFP and FAHS programs. For the past few years, there has been a strong effort to identify and include MFP Alumni as ambassadors and champions of the MFP program. Due to this work, FAHS has seen an expected increase in network participation. The following were the main points of impact during the meeting: 1) Widespread Alumni Participation and Networking Across Regions - Alumni joined from across the U.S. and territories-including California, Florida, North Carolina, Delaware, Virginia, and the Northern Marianas Islands-creating a vibrant, coast-to-coast community. There was strong interest in staying connected, especially with those working in similar regions or academic/counseling areas; 2) Excitement Around New Initiatives: Early MFT Pipeline and Financial Support - Alumni showed great enthusiasm for new structured pathways into the MFT field, including mentorship and early exposure opportunities. The addition of financial stipends was celebrated as a "game-changer" for increasing access and equity in education and training; 3) Alumni Leadership and Involvement Opportunities - This year marks the first time FAHS MFP alumni are 100% serving on the MFP Advisory Committee-an exciting step forward! Attendees were encouraged to apply and to get involved as presenters for webinars and other events; 4) Supportive Space for Connection and Cultural Exchange - There was dedicated time for networking, sharing experiences, and offering cultural knowledge-especially around teaching, multicultural counseling, and regional support. Several alumni exchanged contact information to build community beyond the meeting; 5) Cultural Compass Therapy and Workbook Available - The Cultural Compass: Therapeutic Activities for Inclusive Practice was highlighted as a valuable resource for educators, therapists, and students. This workbook provides culturally responsive activities to use in practice and classrooms. There is a therapy book and a workbook that will be available online. There are limited printed books, and if you want one of those limited versions, please email the FAHS inbox [email protected] to place your name on the pre-order list. Proceeds from the sale of Cultural Compass will directly support the ongoing work of the MFP program, ensuring its continued impact during a time of increasing demand and limited resources; 6) SPARK MFT Event – Help Us Spread the Word - Alumni were encouraged to promote the upcoming SPARK MFT event, which introduces MFT careers to high schoolers, undergraduates, trade school students, and parents. This is a powerful opportunity to inspire the next generation of therapists. Register today.
April 15, 2025 - FAHS at Leadership Symposium
The Foundation for the Advancement of Human Systems presented a keynote at the Leadership Symposium entitled Bridging Leadership and Innovation: Empowering Communities through Strength-Based Solutions. This dynamic event spotlighted how leadership and innovation can be leveraged to strengthen mental health and substance abuse services, particularly for marginalized populations. Our distinguished panelists were all recipients of the Minority Fellowship Program and seasoned in navigating the complexities of mental health with a focus on marginalized populations. Over 185 participants attended the Leadership Symposium. This year, all keynote (main-stage) presentations were given by all MFP Alumni. The panel discussion was augmented by a showcase of MFP Fellows' impact in their communities through the implementation of Fellow Community Projects. Over the span of two days, there were three (3) Fellow presentations and one (1) break-out workshop from the keynote, with the key elements of diverse perspectives, innovative solutions, real-life projects, lessons learned, impact assessment, resilience and empowerment, cultural sensitivity, systems integration, stigma reduction, and future directness. Over 20 people attended each workshop session. The session titles were: 1) Beyond the Keynote: Deep Dive into Leadership & Innovation in Community Mental Health – Jermaine Lowery, COO of FAHS, Dr. Natira Mullet, PhD, MFP Advisory Committee Chairperson, Katrina Edmonds, Samuel Health, 2) Emerging Methods for Implementation Science in LGBTQ Youth and Families– Kathleen Smith, MFP Doctoral Fellow, 3) Re-Engineering the World of Medical Family Therapy: Conceptualizing Collaborative Care in School-Based Health Services– Samuel Heath, MFP Doctoral Fellow, 4) Confident Kids: Implementing a Family Psychoeducational Program in the Local Community– Mady Cheng, MA, LMFT MFP Doctoral Fellow.