Fellowship Description

Fellowship Overview
The Building Our Leadership and Diversity (BOLD) Prevention Fellowship Program (PFP) is focused on increasing the number of prevention scientists working within Black/African American communities and building their capacity to identify and chronicle programs, practices, and policies proven effective in reducing substance misuse risk factors and consequences and promoting mental health and protective factors or assets in Black/African American communities. BOLD Fellows will receive mentorship from prevention staff in a state prevention department associated with their placement and will be exposed to the day-to-day workings of the site. This is a paid, full-time fellowship opportunity. Fellows will work on projects as assigned by their placement approximately 60% of the time and will dedicate the other 40% of their time to learning and capacity development activities coordinated by the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) network. 

About the PTTC Network 
The purpose of the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network is to improve implementation and delivery of effective substance misuse prevention interventions, and provide training and technical assistance services to the substance misuse prevention field. It does this by developing and disseminating tools and strategies needed to improve the quality of substance misuse prevention efforts; providing intensive technical assistance and learning resources to prevention professionals to improve their understanding of prevention science, epidemiological data, and implementation of evidence-based and promising practices; and developing tools and resources to engage the next generation of prevention professionals. To learn more about the PTTC go to pttcnetwork.org. 

Eligibility 
This is a competitive fellowship program for those committed to improving prevention’s response to substance misuse in Black/African communities. The BOLD-PFP aims to select Fellows with experience working or volunteering in Black/African American communities. They will also demonstrate a commitment to understanding and learning how to provide services that are culturally responsive for Black/African American communities in order to increase wellness and decrease health inequity. Applicants who self-identify as Black or African American are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to applicants who are recent college graduates or early career professionals with experience in substance misuse prevention. 

Fellows must reside in HHS Region 9: American Samoa, Arizona, California, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau.  

Any applications received from other areas will be forwarded to their regional PTTC but we cannot guarantee consideration. 

Fellowship Structure
This is a full-time fellowship opportunity where service will conclude on August 31, 2023.  

Key fellowship components include: 

• Complete capstone project(s) as defined by host organization
• Training 
  • Weekly learning and capacity development activities
  • Preparation for the Prevention Specialist certification exam. 
• Mentoring 
  • Site Mentor - Fellows will receive mentorship from prevention staff in a state, territory, pacific jurisdiction, national organization, and/or federally-recognized tribe or other American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN/) community associated with their placement and will be exposed to the day-to-day workings of the site.
  • PTTC Research Scientist Mentor - A mentor funded by the PTTCs will provide guidance and training regarding the Black/African American substance misuse prevention inventory (see below)
• Black/African American program inventory
  • The BOLD Fellow will work with their cohort members and under the guidance of the PTTC Network and the PTTC Research Scientist Mentor to create a Black/African American substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion programs, practices, and policies inventory. The inventory development project will increase Fellows’ capacity to identify, review, and share effective, culturally specific prevention interventions.
  • At the completion of the Fellowship, participants will apply to present their methods and the inventory at the National Prevention Network Research Conference in 2023 and/or submit to publish in a peer-reviewed journal.
     

Timeline 
August 2022           Fellows call for applications
September 2022     Interview and select Fellows 
October 2022         Fellowship begins October 1, 2022  
August 2023           Fellowship concludes August 31, 2023

Questions 
For questions contact Alyssa O’Hair at [email protected].

Fellowship Application
To apply, complete an online application through the University of Nevada, Reno.

Please be prepared to provide the following materials:  

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter
3) Contact Information for Two Professional References (Academic or Professional)
4) A letter of support (Employer or professor preferred)
5) Please write a brief statement (one page maximum) about how you would contribute toward our mission of creating a culturally inclusive environment in the role for which you are applying