SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program (MFP)

SAMHSA MFP Conference Evaluation: MFP Program Directors' Perspectives

American Nurses Association: Faye Gary

The First National SAMHSA MFP Conference: Cultural Competence and Reducing Health Disparities could be characterized as Marvelous and Inspiring. There are several key elements that intersect in making this conference a historic and memorable event.

A quiet but powerful theme in the conference was the SAMHSA axiom, "A life in the community for everyone." The conference content reflected this vision through numerous expressions. Those powerful and unique keynote speeches by the Center Directors' set the stage for the conference. The opportunity for the fellows to dialogue with the Directors and have informal conversations with them about their courses of study and their beginning research programs was priceless. King Davis presented his vast knowledge about health disparities and cultural competence in a most eloquent manner. He emphasized the fact that one's culture is a major determinant about what the individual believes about health and illness, how he/she decides that there is a problem, and when and from whom to seek and accept health care. It is essential that this Nation's workforce is culturally competent, and reflects diversity at all levels and within every domain.

Perhaps one of the most energizing aspects of the conference was the fellows' and alumni's interaction with each other: curious mental health professionals who enjoyed the time that they spent with each other as they participated in learning and discovering. The discussion groups where the SAMHSA staff listened intently to the fellows as they shared their experiences and aspirations about their potential contributions to the reduction and elimination of health disparities could be the beginning of long and enduring relationships. Meeting, for the second time, helped to reinforce ideas and strengthen relationships among the group members and the SAMHSA staff. This was an important feature in the program. The SAMHSA staff, the fellows, the program directors and mentors are now strategically positioned to "make something exciting happen" in learning, discovery, and practice that could benefit the nation, and especially minority populations. We need to capture and nurture this opportunity.

Mentoring for the fellows, who sometimes experience difficulties in majority institutions, expressed their desire for a structured, interdisciplinary mentoring program during the years that they are funded and on into their careers. A work plan for the development of a mentoring program will be developed during early 2004, and shared with the SAMHSA staff, the fellows, alumni, and mentors. This effort can be a first, too.

Finally, every hour of the day was occupied with stimulating program activities, a fact that provoked one fellow to comment, "This is great—SAMHSA wants us to succeed—and I believe they will support us along the way." Another fellow briefly summarized here perceptions about the conference. She simply stated, "Being a SAMHSA Fellow is the best thing that has ever happened to me." Perhaps the fellows can replicate this experience thousands of times during their careers as we endeavor to help create a life in the community for everyone.

American Psychological Association: James Jones

The SAMHSA-MFP Conference was an overwhelming success. The decisions we made about several aspects of the Conference bore fruit. The Fellows now know about SAMHSA! Moreover, they are motivated to become involved and now, the real challenge, expect SAMHSA to do things to benefit their professional growth and to serve their professional interests. I think we learned a great deal about the expertise of this cadre of Fellows and Alumni. The opportunity to interact across disciplines was also a great benefit. People have even been motivated to change careers (at least aspects of them) to better meet both SAMHSA's and their own professional and personal goals. The conference was, thus, a catalyst for career development.

The details present a challenge. We developed many ideas for ways to address a variety of critical issues from training to service delivery to research. How will SAMHSA respond? How will the community of fellows, training programs and MFP leader's respond? There was some feeling that the fellows and their ideas were only of interest to the extent that it met SAMHSA priorities, goals and GPRA guidelines. That may have been a narrow reading of various remarks, but it needs to be factored in. We are not proposing that the MFP programs drive SAMHSA missions, but if we think of it collaboratively, we need to carefully consider how to work together toward mutual goals.

One of the strongest aspects of the Conference was the clear support and leadership shown by the Center Directors. All presentations were powerful even as they expressed the different personalities of each Director. King Davis was an obvious mega hit as we knew he would be. I think the participants learned more from his presentation than pretty much anything else. Can we capitalize on some of his ideas as well?

In sum, great job by SAMHSA and the MFP programs in creating this highly successful event.

Council on Social Work Education: Aracelis Francis

There were several important aspects of this conference. First of all, the CSWE fellows have now experienced the people who represent the SAMHSA fellowship programs. Although they had been told that there were other fellowship programs actually meeting people from the other disciplines was very rewarding for them. Several of the fellows are already thinking about and planning for ways to continue the collaboration with some of the other fellows.

The conference also built on the experience that the CSWE fellows had earlier this year when they met with Dr. Wohlford and Administrator Curie. This took them beyond that initial meeting to a much better understanding of the many things that SAMHSA does. Now we need to look at ways to further strengthen that collaboration.

I think we need to move rather quickly on the easy things such as Distribution lists, a Directory, etc. The distribution list from the mentors meeting is up and running and we need to capitalize on what is the best way to continue that process. I would suggest that in January the Conference Planning Committee meet to look at what can be done next and where we can go from here. I think that will be critical as we do not want to lose the momentum and excitement of the conference.

I also agree with James that the next steps will be the most challenging as fellows now expect SAMHSA to do some things. The interdisciplinary collaboration was the most powerful. At least one of the Social Work fellows is going to establish a collaborative working relationship with one of the ANA fellows. They have all gained knowledge and now understand their role within the context of SAMHSA. Now we have to mine the richness of the experience.

American Psychiatric Association: Marilyn King

Overall folks thought it was a good idea to bring together the disciplines and SAMHSA heads. We got a large turnout.

Program too long and not focused—lots of things packed into 2 days (suggestion: extend to a 3-day conference, narrow down overall conference theme and speak to that throughout)
More emphasis and focus for the breakout groups (suggestion: groups should have more direction, be more interdisciplinary, produce a work product)
SAMHSA heads should be included in more of the program (suggestion: allow time and free flow of info/Q&A with SAMHSA heads and attendees) Consider time of year and location (weather may be a factor for folks flying) (suggestion: none)

Question: Is there any opportunity for CME credits for the Conference?
[Response: When this question was first raised before the Conference, it was too late to arrange. This will be a good idea for planning a future conference.]