Fund the Minority Fellowship Program
Recommendation
Congress should appropriate at least $36.7 million for the Minority Fellowship Program (42 U.S.C. 290ll) to increase providers' knowledge of issues related to prevention, treatment, and recovery support for mental health and substance use disorders (MH/SUDs) among racial and ethnic minority populations.[1][2][3][4]
Background/summary
Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately impacted by mental health and substance use disorders (MH/SUDs).[4] However, MH/SUD professional training programs often do not reflect the diverse needs of these communities.[5] The Minority Fellowship Program (MFP)[6][7] is designed to increase provider education on issues related to prevention, treatment, and recovery support for MH/SUDs among racial and ethnic minority populations.[3][4] The program improves the quality of MH/SUD services and treatments and increases the number of culturally competent educators, researchers, and service providers.[8] The President’s FY 2024 Budget included $36.7 million for the MFP.[1][2] Congress should fully fund this request and maintain funding levels to meet future needs.
citations
1. The White House, Office of Management and Budget. Budget of the U.S. Government. Fiscal Year 2024. Last Accessed March 9, 2023.
2. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Fiscal Year 2024. Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees. Last Accessed March 9, 2023.
3. The Kennedy Forum. Recommendations of Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy to the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. Last Updated October 2017.
4. The Kennedy Forum. Navigating The New Frontier of Mental Health and Addiction: A Guide for the 115th Congress. Last Updated June 2017.
5. Ibid.
6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Minority Fellowship Program. Last Updated May 15, 2023.
7. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Become an MFP Fellow. Last Updated May 15, 2023.
8. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. About the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP). Last Updated May 16, 2023.