| Foundation Creates Fellowship Program for Mental Health Policy Advocates |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Traci Patterson
MHA Director of Communications
tpatterson@mhahouston.org
713-523-8963 x 476
Merrell Foote
Hogg Foundation Communications Director
merrell.foote@austin.utexas.edu
512) 471-9142
Houston, TX (July 22, 2010) – A new generation of Texas advocates for mental health will get intensive training, education and experience in policy and advocacy work through a new fellowship program created by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health.
Mental Health America of Greater Houston and four other nonprofit advocacy groups from Houston and Austin received foundation funding to hire and mentor an in-house fellow to work on specific projects to improve mental health policy in Texas.
“Texas needs more advocates who understand the state’s complex mental health system and who know how to improve it through public policy work. These five fellows have a rare opportunity to learn the art of public policy work from seasoned experts,” said Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director of the foundation.
“We are pleased to be able to expand our advocacy efforts with the addition of a policy fellow,” said Susan Fordice, vice president and acting CEO at Mental Health America of Greater Houston. “We look forward to working closely with the chosen individual in communities and organizations and with policy-makers on issues important to the mental health and wellness of Houstonians and Texans.”
Recipients of the fellowship grants are:
• Mental Health America of Greater Houston, $68,250
• ChildBuilders, Houston, $66,234
• Advocacy, Inc., Austin, $63,596
• Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc., Austin, $67,944
• Texans Care for Children, Austin, $60,825
To apply for a fellowship position at Mental Health America of Greater Houston visit the website www.mhahouston.org. For information on a fellowship position with other organizations
contact them directly.
The Hogg Foundation also is seeking proposals to develop and conduct the new Hogg Mental Health Policy Academy. The academy will provide training and support for the fellows, their mentors and others involved in advocacy work in Texas. The deadline to submit proposals is 1 p.m. central daylight time on Monday, July 26. Eligibility requirements and other details are online at www.hogg.utexas.edu.
The Hogg Foundation was founded in 1940 by the children of former Texas Governor James Hogg to promote improved mental health for the people of Texas. The foundation’s grants and programs support mental health consumer services, research, policy analysis and public education projects in Texas. The foundation is part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at The University of Texas at Austin.
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