Newswise — Five minority fellowship program grants are being awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for a total of up to $12.2 million. These three-year grants will be used to train a new wave of behavioral health care providers. The program focuses on increasing the number of culturally competent behavioral health professionals available in underserved racially and ethnically diverse communities.

“As the prominence of behavioral health care needs grows in America, it is essential that we grow and maintain a skilled workforce,” said Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “The Minority Fellowship Program grants help ensure that the behavioral health workforce remains strong, cutting-edge and attuned to the needs of communities where disparities in access and quality services remain challenging.”

Grantees are expected to receive up to $820,000 per year for up to three years. Annual continuation awards may vary, depending on the availability of funds and the performance of the grantees.

The awardees and the first year amounts of their grants are:

* American Psychiatric Association, Arlington, Va. - $789,751 * American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Alexandria, Va. - $819,778 * American Nurses Association, Silver Spring, Md. - $821,123 * Council on Social Work Education, Alexandria, Va. - $821,174 * American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C. - $821,174

For additional information about SAMHSA and its programs visit http://www.samhsa.gov.

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SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.

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