PhD Candidate Tyrone Parchment Awarded CSWE Minority Fellowship

Doctoral Candidate Tyrone Parchment has been awarded a competitive Doctoral Fellowship by the Council on Social Work Education’s Minority Fellowship Program. The goal of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) is to decrease health disparities and improve healthcare outcomes of racially and ethnically diverse populations by increasing the number of culturally competent behavioral health professionals with doctoral degrees aiding underserved populations.

Parchment, a fourth-year Doctoral Candidate is a research scientist at the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research. He is working with his mentor Professor Mary McKay, Director of the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research, on project STEP UP: Promoting Youth Educational Success, Future Options, Mental Health and Positive Development within Inner-city High Schools & Local Communities. His primary research interests include understanding and exploring the role fathers play in preventing and reducing negative behavioral and mental health outcomes for children and families. Parchment said "receiving the MFP’s Doctoral Fellowship will provide me with professional development training, mentorship and other supports while bringing me into a powerful network of prominent scholars of color. The fellowship will also strengthen my skills in being an expert in behavioral health service delivery and a leader in research, teaching and research addressing mental health and substance abuse among under-represented and under-served racial and ethnic communities."

Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Minority Fellowship Program provides up to three years of funding for awardees. In addition to financial support, the program provides professional development training and mentorship. A competitive program, the MFP is designed to support racial and ethnic minority social work doctoral students whose career goals are to provide leadership in serving underrepresented and underserved populations with or at risk for mental health and/or substance abuse disorders. To learn more please visit their website.