July 2020

From the Director 

Dear Fellows and Alumni,
 
Each July we commemorate Minority Mental Health Month. In a time of heightened loneliness and social isolation, all of us in the behavioral health community can take actions to create spaces that build community and connection for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

We see these efforts in this month’s featured fellows, who span populations and practice systems. For example, Megan Bolden and Terrill Coles (Master’s, 2017) bridge hospital and community-based services to reach underserved populations. Justin Harty focuses his practice and research on fatherhood and transitions from the child welfare system. Jennifer Ross reaches out to the Black Deaf community to address unmet behavioral health needs. Read more about each of these fellows in the full Connect.
 
Our MFP videos this year reinforce how MFP fellows and alumni strengthen the connections between behavioral health and BIPOC communities across the nation. Visit CSWE’s YouTube channel and catch up on the videos from MFP alumni Dr. Jenny Jones, Dr. Ronnie San Nicolas, Marcus Leaks, and K. Tajhi Claybren. Each video shares perspectives on social work, the MFP, and how these alumni have forged connections and improved the mental health of the populations they have focused on in their careers.


In Fellowship, 
Duy Nguyen, PhD 

Justin Harty 

Justin Harty is a student in the doctoral program in social work at the University of Chicago. Mr. Harty’s research focus is mental health and substance use among young African American fathers in foster care and fathers involved in the child welfare system. He is interested in how the state prepares young fathers to exit foster care and enter adulthood. Mr. Harty provides clinical mental health services to young fathers in foster care and foster care alumni. After completing his doctoral degree, Mr. Harty plans to continue his work academically and clinically. He will conduct research related to practice interventions and programming about mental health and substance abuse among young fathers in foster care. He also will provide mental health and substance abuse services to improve parenting skills, foster positive child outcomes, and maintain supportive co-parental relationships. Connect with Justin on LinkedIn.

Jennifer Ross 

Master’s fellow Jennifer Ross graduated with her MSW from The Catholic University of America on May 16. At her field placement, Ms. Ross worked with individual clients at Wendt Center for Loss and Healing. Ms. Ross is pursuing work in schools or not-for-profit settings that offer mental health services for the Deaf community. Her goal is to create a wellness center for the Black Deaf community. Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn.

Megan Bolden 

Megan Bolden graduated with her MSW from University of North Carolina at Wilmington on May 9. Ms. Bolden is interested in working with minority students in school settings who are dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues. As a psychiatric technician at her internship at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, she provided treatment care to minors. Ms. Bolden's career goal is to obtain clinical licensure and partner with other minority social workers in Wilmington, NC, to establish psychoeducational groups in underserved minority communities. Connect with Megan on LinkedIn.

Terrill Coles, MSW, LGSW 

Terrill Coles earned his MSW from Howard University and is a 2017 MFP master’s alumnus. Mr. Coles is a psychotherapist practicing at Capitol Hill Consortium for Counseling and Consultation. He uses strengths-based, client-centered, and humanistic approaches to aid his clients in overcoming their challenges and fully recognizing their potential. With more than 12 years of experience working in various clinical settings, Mr. Coles will be speaking about the scope of clinical social work on a panel at the 2020 MFP Master’s Training. Connect with Terrill on LinkedIn.