The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is expected to be reauthorized in the 110th Congress, either in the fall of this year or early next year. Of interest to APA is SAMHSA workforce development. Recommendations that are currently being pursued by Education GRO staff include: (1) expanding workforce data collection and analysis to providers and requiring the collection of data, analysis dissemination every two years; (2) authorizing the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) that awards grants on a competitive basis through eligible non-profit organizations including the APA, to eligible students provides services to underserved racial and ethnic minority communities and are enrolled or accepted to be enrolled in a graduate education and training program, internship, residency or fellowship in one of the eligible health professions; (3) establishing a competitive institutional grant program for eligible entities (a graduate education and training program, internship, residency or fellowship in one of the eligible health professions) for planning, developing, and operating a mental health professional training program that includes student stipends; (4) establishing a Loan Repayment Program for licensed or certified mental health professionals with priority given to those working with high priority populations and who demonstrate financial need, competence in evidence based practice, cultural competence in practice and will be working in facilities that served underserved persons.

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