July 2026

IN THIS ISSUE

From the MFP Director
Fellows Spotlight
Interested in Becoming a 2027-2028 CSWE MFP Fellow?
Update Your Contact Information
Resources

 

From the MFP Director

Greetings MFP Community,

As we move through the summer months, many within our MFP community are navigating an important season of transition. Graduation often marks both an ending and a beginning, closing one chapter while stepping into new roles, responsibilities, and opportunities.

For some, this moment includes starting new positions in clinical practice or community-based settings. Others are preparing for licensure journeys, entering doctoral programs, or beginning postdoctoral training and research appointments. These transitions can bring excitement, uncertainty, and a range of emotions as you adjust to new environments, expectations, and routines.

Wherever you find yourself in this process, I encourage you to approach this transition with patience and intention. Growth does not always happen all at once, and it is okay to take the time you need to find your footing. The skills, knowledge, and experiences you have developed thus far will continue to guide you as you move forward.

This is also a meaningful time to remain connected to your peers, mentors, and the broader MFP community. These connections can offer support, perspective, and encouragement as you navigate new spaces and continue your professional journey.

I want to acknowledge and affirm the work it has taken to reach this point. The contributions you are making, whether in practice, research, education, or community engagement, reflect an ongoing commitment to supporting behavioral health in the communities you serve.

As you continue into this next chapter, please know you remain an important part of this community. We look forward to celebrating your milestones and continuing to support your growth along the way!

Warm regards,
Dr. Kimberly R. Mayes, LCSW
Director, Minority Fellowship Program

 

Fellows Spotlight

Eivan Herrera-Valdez, MSWEivan Herrera-Valdez, MSW


I began my post-secondary education at Harold Washington Community College (HWCC). At HWCC, I developed an interest in Latine Studies and the research gaps in the psychological literature on the health of Latine communities. As I was thinking about what 4-year university I wanted to attend, I wanted to be a part of a research community that valued the voices of marginalized communities, so I transferred to Northwestern University.

At Northwestern, I was able to develop and flex my research muscle! I worked with some amazing professors who were conducting research on identity development, mental health, abolition, and the empowerment of gender and sexual minorities. I conducted my own research on generational transmission with the help of my family, who collaborated with me throughout the process. I was able to research the things I wanted to and secure funding from the school to do so!

After graduation, I worked with young people, supporting them through their transition from middle to high school. This job encouraged me to pursue a Master's in Social Work and develop skills for school social work. I attended the University of Chicago Crown Family School. At Crown, I interned at two different schools over two years and have thoroughly enjoyed my time at both. I learned so much from the students I worked with, my supervisors, and colleagues.

Now, I am eager to start my job at Chicago Public Schools this upcoming academic year! As a native Chicagoan, I want to support students who look like me or who have similar lived experiences. I am eager to be in schools that are predominantly Black and brown and to work with students with disabilities! As I work, I want to continue my research. I want to develop interventions, mainly group interventions, that support students dealing with anxiety due to current immigration policies and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions.

The MFP team and my MFP peers have shown me that social workers can do anything! I have had multiple moments when I admire the people I have met because of the MFP and have marveled at how much social workers do, and at how most people do not stop once they reach the summit. Instead, they imagine a new summit, set new goals, and work towards them. I have learned so much from the MFP team and cohort, and the community is what I will leave with once the program year is over.

Looking ahead, I want to continue learning what social work is and what it looks like within Chicago Public Schools. I want to be able to marry my micro work with students into research that supports their learning. I'm not sure what my next education milestone is. For now, I'm excited to be doing the work in supporting young people!

Ashanae Morrison, LSW Ashanae Morrison

I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the State of New Jersey, and I earned both my Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Master of Social Work through the Advanced Standing program at Stockton University.

I was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, and later had the opportunity to complete my collegiate studies in the United States. Throughout my academic journey, I competed as a track and field athlete while also serving in advocacy, belonging, and campus standards (ABCs) initiatives at Stockton University. In this role, I worked closely with social workers and counselors to support students in an inclusive campus environment.

My professional experience includes serving as a Behavioral Assistant within the New Jersey Children’s System of Care (CSOC), working with youth experiencing adjustment disorders, suicidal ideation, attachment-related challenges, and behavioral disorders. My undergraduate and graduate practicum experiences focused on substance use and mental health treatment, particularly at the intersection of homelessness and the justice system. Working within a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) strengthened my appreciation for interdisciplinary collaboration and behavioral healthcare. In addition, my work in higher education provided experience in conflict resolution, mediation, conduct case adjudication, leadership, and program development through my role as a Graduate Residential Life Hall Director.

Following graduation, I continue to serve youth and families in community behavioral health as an intensive in-community and in-home therapist within New Jersey’s System of Care. I am also expanding my work in outpatient behavioral health.

Through the MFP, I have developed meaningful professional relationships, expanded my understanding of social work across diverse practice settings, and have gained valuable mentorship from fellow social workers.

Looking ahead, I hope to become involved with the Caribbean Mental Health Summit, founded by Doctor of Social Work Chelece Brown, which seeks to address the urgent mental health needs of Caribbean communities and the diaspora. My long-term goals include obtaining clinical licensure, and presenting on culturally responsive approaches to mental health care, substance use treatment, and social work practice within Caribbean and immigrant communities.

Interested in Becoming a 2027-2028 CSWE MFP Fellow?

With the 2026–2027 fellowship review process is underway, we're already receiving inquiries about next year's application cycle and we are thrilled to see interest in the fellowship continue to grow each year. If you missed this year’s application deadlines, or are interested in applying next year, complete the interest survey applicable to you below. By submitting a survey you’ll be notified when the next application cycle opens.
 

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2027-28 Master's Minority Fellowship Program Notification		 2027-28DoctoralMFP.png
2027-28 Doctoral Minority Fellowship Program Notification

 

Update Your Contact Information

Have you changed jobs in the last few years? Changed your primary email address? 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 team efforts to enhance connectedness in the MFP community.

Resources

Convention
APA 2026 Convention
The annual American Psychological Association (APA) Convention brings together researchers, clinicians, educators, trainees, and other behavioral health professionals to highlight current advances in psychological science and practice. Programming typically spans topics such as evidence-based treatment approaches, workforce development, and innovations in clinical, community, and integrated care settings. Learn more.

2026 Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association (SFBTA) Research Award

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“The 2026 SFBTA Research Awards will provide up to $2,500.00 to support ongoing or proposed project(s). Funding amounts for individual projects will depend on the number of projects being awarded. Priority will be given to research that supports empirical evidence of SFBT practices, mechanisms of change, meta-analyses on SFBT interventions, or other research which could directly or indirectly investigate the effectiveness of SFBT practices.” Learn more.

 

From MFP Alumna
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MFP Alumna, Dr. Xochilt Alamillo has launched the Chicana Therapist Podcast, a resource dedicated to Latinx mental health, wellness, and cultural identity. Learn more about Dr. Alamillo, her research, professional accomplishments, and the impact of her work by visiting her website.


Trainings
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The 23 modules in this 2023 curriculum provide an overview of evidence-based practices in the prevention, identification, and treatment of substance use disorders and co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions for a variety of populations. Learn more. 



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The University of Alabama's Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education is proud to offer workshops, certificate programs and conferences to strengthen your skills and develop future opportunities. At any step of your career, we can help you create a path forward, as event attendees will gain new skills and learn new concepts. Register for an event today and see how you can take your professional profile to new heights!


Job Postings

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Check out the CSWE Career Center!