In the spirit of promoting our efforts toward the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential and maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice for the counseling profession, the NBCC Foundation in partnership with CCE is pleased to announce the NBCC Foundation ACS Training Award. The ACS award advances the professional identity and development of counselors throughout the nation. 

Twenty (20) awards in the amount of $500 each are available.  

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:  

• Currently hold either professional licensure that authorizes you for independent practice in a behavioral/mental health field, or the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification, issued by NBCC. Your NCC certification must have been maintained with no ethical holds or missed payments for a minimum of 1 year.  
• Must currently hold a master’s degree or higher in a mental health field. Degrees must be from a postsecondary educational institution or program accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).  
• Have extensive clinical experience in providing mental health or substance abuse counseling services. 
• Commit to selecting a CCE-approved ACS training within 1 year of being awarded. 
• Commit to applying for the CCE ACS credential within 1 year of the completion date of your CCE-approved ACS training program. 

The application opens May 31, 2024, and the application deadline is Aug. 31, 2024, at 11:59 pm EDT. 

Training award winners will be announced by the end of December 2024.  

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions or email foundation@nbcc.org. 

If you experience any issues with the Submittable application platform, please email: Support@submittable.com.  

CCE provides the funding for these awards, which the NBCC Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf. 

In the spirit of promoting our efforts toward increasing the capacity of capable counselors to service clients at the highest standards of clinical practice for the counseling profession, the NBCC Foundation in partnership with the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) is pleased to announce the Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH) training award. The BC-TMH award increases the reach and professional development of counselors throughout the nation. 

Twenty (20) awards in the amount of $500 each are available.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

• Currently be a National Certified Counselor (NCC) with no ethical holds OR must hold an active counseling license or a license in a relevant mental health field issued by their state of residence with no ethical holds.  
• Must currently hold a master’s degree or higher in a mental health field. Degrees must be from a postsecondary educational institution or program accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.  
• Have clinical experience in providing mental health or substance abuse counseling services.  
• Commit to completing CCE-approved telemental health (TMH) training within 12 months of receiving the award.  
• Commit to applying for the BC-TMH credential within 12 months of completion of the TMH training.  

The application opens May 31, 2024, and the application deadline is Aug. 31, 2024, at 11:59 pm EDT. 

Scholarship awardees will be announced by the end of December 2024. 

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions or email foundation@nbcc.org. 

If you experience any issues with the Submittable application platform, please email: Support@submittable.com. 

CCE provides the funding for these awards, which the NBCC Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf. 

The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce a scholarship opportunity available through a partnership with the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE). This program provides financial assistance to individuals pursuing the training necessary for the Board Certified Coach (BCC) certification. Five (5) awards of up to $3,000 each are available to cover the costs of CCE-approved BCC training. You can find a list of CCE-approved BCC training providers on their website.  

Training must be chosen within 12 months and an invoice or bill must be submitted to the NBCC Foundation. Funds will be remitted directly to the approved training provider. CCE reserves the right to adjust the award if the tuition is less than the award amount.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:  
 

• Not currently or previously certified as a BCC.  
• Commit to applying for the BCC within 12 months of completion of the BCC training. The BCC certification requires 2,500 hours of post-degree coaching experience working with individuals, groups, or organizations over a period of at least 5 years. 
• Demonstrate exceptional coaching potential through one or more of the following: 

1. Access to the population in need of coaching or working in a setting conducive to coaching. 
2. Background in leadership. 
3. Hold or are pursuing a degree from a relevant program.  

The application opens May 31, 2024, and the application deadline is Aug. 31, 2024, at 11:59 pm EDT.
Scholarship awardees will be announced by the end of December 2024.  

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions or email foundation@nbcc.org.

If you experience any issues with the Submittable application platform, please email: Support@submittable.com.

CCE provides the funding for these awards, which the NBCC Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf. 

The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce the Domestic Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) scholarships. These scholarships are made possible by generous corporate support from the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE). 

The goal of this scholarship program is to increase the number of available professionals providing quality career development services. In doing so, the GCDF scholarship program plays an important role in the Foundation’s mission to leverage the power of counseling by strategically focusing resources for positive change. 

Six (6) domestic scholarships of up to $1,000 each are available to cover the costs of CCE-approved GCDF training. You can find a list of CCE-approved GCDF training providers on their website. Training must be chosen within 12 months and an invoice or bill must be submitted to the NBCC Foundation. Funds will be remitted directly to the approved training provider. CCE reserves the right to adjust the award if the tuition is less than the award amount.  

Eligibility requirements include the following: 

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status. 
• Must possess a high school diploma/GED, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or graduate degree. 
• Must be seeking initial GCDF credential.  
• Must commit to providing career counseling services for 2 years.  

The application opens May 31, 2024, and the application deadline is Aug. 31, 2024, at 11:59 pm EDT. 

Scholarship awardees will be announced by the end of December 2024.  

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions or email foundation@nbcc.org. 

If you experience any issues with the Submittable application platform, please email: Support@submittable.com. 

CCE provides the funding for these awards, which the NBCC Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf. 

The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce the International Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) scholarships. These scholarships are made possible by generous corporate support from the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE). 

The goal of this scholarship program is to increase the number of available professionals providing quality career development services. In doing so, the GCDF scholarship program plays an important role in the Foundation’s mission to leverage the power of counseling by strategically focusing resources for positive change. 

Two (2) international scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each are available. 

Eligibility requirements include the following:  

• Must either hold an active GCDF credential in good standing and be enrolled in an advanced education program in counseling (or advanced education program covering one or more GCDF competency areas, as appropriate to their country) OR be a student currently enrolled in both a GCDF training program and a post-bachelor’s counseling program (or advanced education course covering one or more GCDF competency areas, as appropriate to their country).  
• Must commit to providing GCDF services for 2 years.  

The application opens May 31, 2024, and the deadline is Aug. 31, 2024, at 11:59 pm EDT. 

Scholarship awardees will be announced by the end of December 2024. 

For questions, see our Frequently Asked Questions. Please contact the Foundation at foundation@nbcc.org with any additional questions.  

If you experience any issues with the Submittable application platform, please email: Support@submittable.com. 

CCE provides the funding for these awards, which the Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf. 

The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce the 2024 application period for the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Minority Fellowship Program for Addictions Counselors (MFP-AC). This program is made possible by a grant awarded to the NBCC Foundation in collaboration with NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals, by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The program will administer up to 43 master’s degree-level counseling fellowships of $15,000 for addictions counseling students, plus the travel expenses to participate in other program-related trainings. 

The NBCC MFP helps ensure that the behavioral health needs of all Americans are met, regardless of language or culture, thereby reducing health disparities and improving overall community health and well-being. Minorities include but are not limited to racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, sexual orientation, rural, or military groups. By strategically promoting and providing fellowships to master’s-level counseling students, the NBCC MFP strengthens the infrastructure that engages diverse individuals in counseling and increases the number of substance use disorder professional counselors who provide direct substance use disorder services to minority populations. 

Eligible applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience in addictions/substance abuse services to one or more of the following: underserved minority communities; child/adolescent and geriatric groups; minority communities in inner cities and rural areas; minority persons (including LGBTQI+); or those who are veterans or are from military families.
 

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status. 
• Applicants must not already possess a master’s degree in a behavioral health field. 
• Applicants must not receive any other federal funds (except for federal loans or work-study). 
• Applicants must be enrolled and be in good standing in one of the following programs: 

1. A Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited, master’s-level addictions counseling program or other master’s-level counseling program with a concentration in addictions. 
2. An institutionally accredited master’s-level addictions counseling program or other master’s-level counseling program with a concentration in addictions. 
3. An addictions program accredited by the National Addictions Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC). 

• Applicants must have completed one semester between summer 2023 and summer 2024 in a master’s-level addictions counseling program or other master’s-level counseling program with a concentration in addictions that is CACREP-accredited, institutionally accredited, or NASAC-accredited. 
• Applicants must be currently taking courses at the time of application. Applicants may not have a pending status, deferred status, or other future start date for coursework. 
• Applicants must commit to obtaining an addictions counseling credential, as evidenced by showing proof of applying for a state addictions certification before the end of the fellowship year. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine their eligibility to obtain an addictions counseling credential prior to applying for the fellowship. 
• Applicants must commit to 12 semester hours of substance abuse/addictions coursework, plus a full academic year of internship. (Note: The addictions coursework need not be completed at your home university. The 12 hours must be taken by the end of your academic program, not exclusively during the fellowship award year. On a case-by-case basis, the 12 semester hours may be waived if you apply for your state addiction counseling certification and agree to complete the process.) 
• Applicants are expected to graduate by Dec. 31, 2027 (within 3 years of the date of the fellowship funding). 
• Eligible applicants must not have an anticipated academic program completion date before Sept. 30, 2025, which will be verified in writing by their academic department prior to the awarding of funds. 
• Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with addressing the substance use disorder needs of one or more of the following: underserved minority communities; child/adolescent and geriatric groups; minority communities in inner cities and rural areas; minority persons (including LGBTQI+); or those who are veterans or are from military families. 
• Applicants must commit to providing substance use disorder services to one of the above-named populations within 1 year of graduation and must commit to providing such services for the duration of 2 years postgraduation. 
• Applicants must commit to securing a substance use services-related internship that provides experience with one or more of the minority populations listed above. 
• Applicants must commit to becoming board certified by applying for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification or applying for certification from the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP) prior to graduation and to completing the application process. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine their eligibility to obtain these certifications prior to applying for the fellowship. 
• Applicants must be able to attend the 2025 NBCC Foundation’s Bridging the Gap Symposium to open their fellowship year the week of Feb. 27–March 1, 2025, and to close their fellowship MFP Training during the week of the 2025 NBCCF Fall Institute during the week of Sept. 9–13, 2025, and up to two other training events during their fellowship year. 

African Americans, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are especially encouraged to apply.*

To check the CACREP status of a program, search the CACREP website.

To check the NASAC status of a program, search the NASAC website. 

NOTE: Applicants are strongly advised to verify their eligibility for the NCC or NCC AP prior to applying. Requirements of the NCC certification can be found on NBCC’s website at nbcc.org/Certification/NCC. Requirements of the NCC AP certification can be found on NAADAC’s website at naadac.org/types-eligibility. 

The application opens July 1, 2024, and the deadline is Sept. 30, 2024, at 11:59 pm EDT.

Fellowship awardees will be announced by the end of December 2024.

Disclaimer: Please be advised that all NBCCF MFP awards are subject to future funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA).
 

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). If after reviewing our FAQ document you still have questions, please email Foundation@nbcc.org or call 336-232-0376.

*Eligibility requirements for MFP awards are defined by SAMHSA. The program is not limited to individuals from minority populations; however, SAMHSA does prioritize individuals from the following communities: African American, Alaska Native, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander. SAMHSA’s priority population decision is based on the documentation of significant mental health disparities within these communities and the SAMHSA-identified strategy of increasing the number of individuals representing these communities in counselor education and leadership. This priority is considered when there are applicants with equivalently strong results to the review process. In that case, those applicants who meet the SAMHSA priority are chosen. 

The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce the 2024 application period for the National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program (NBCC MFP) for Mental Health Counselors (MHC-M). This program is made possible by a grant awarded to the NBCC Foundation by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The NBCC Foundation will administer up to 32 master’s-level counseling fellowships of $12,000, plus the travel expenses to participate in program-related trainings for mental health counseling students.  
 

The NBCC MFP helps ensure that the behavioral health needs of all Americans are met, regardless of language or culture, thereby reducing health disparities and improving overall community health and well-being. Minorities include but are not limited to racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, sexual orientation, rural, or military groups. By strategically promoting and providing fellowships to master’s-level counseling students, the NBCC MFP strengthens the infrastructure that engages diverse individuals in counseling and increases the number of professional counselors.
 

Eligible applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with one or more of the following: people with serious mental illness/serious emotional disturbance; child/adolescent and geriatric groups; minority communities in inner cities and rural areas; refugee and migrant groups; minority persons including LGBTQI+; and those who are active-duty military, veterans, or from military families. Eligible applicants must commit to teach, administer services, conduct research, and/or provide direct mental health counseling to at least one of the above-listed populations.  
 

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status. 
• Applicants must not already possess a master’s degree in a behavioral health field.  
• Applicants must not receive any other federal funds (except for federal loans, work-study, or employment). 
• Applicants must have completed one semester between summer 2023 and summer 2024 in a master’s-level counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or counseling program pending CACREP accreditation. 
• Applicants must be currently enrolled full time and be in good standing in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited, master’s-level counseling program or counseling program pending CACREP accreditation. Applicants must be currently taking courses. Applicants may not have a pending status, deferred status, or other future start date for coursework. 
• Applicants are expected to graduate by Dec. 31, 2027 (within 3 years of the date of the fellowship funding). 
• Eligible applicants must not have an anticipated program completion date before Sep. 30, 2025, which will be verified in writing by their academic department prior to the awarding of funds. 
• Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with people with serious mental illness/serious emotional disturbance; child/adolescent and geriatric groups; minority communities in inner cities and rural areas; refugee and migrant groups; minority persons including LGBTQI+; and those who are active-duty military, veterans, or from military families.  
• Applicants must commit to teach, administer services, conduct research, and/or provide direct mental health counseling to at least one of the above-listed populations within 1 year of graduation and for the duration of 2 years postgraduation. 
• Applicants must commit to securing an internship that includes experience with one of more of the minority populations listed above. 
• Applicants must commit to becoming board certified by applying for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification prior to graduation and completing the application process. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine their eligibility to obtain this certification prior to applying for the fellowship.  
• Applicants must be able to attend the 2025 NBCC Foundation’s Bridging the Gap Symposium to open their fellowship year the week of Feb. 27–March 1, 2025, and to close their fellowship year at the 2025 NBCCF Fall Institute during the week of Sept. 9–13, 2025, and up to two other training events during their fellowship year. 

African Americans, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are especially encouraged to apply.* 

To check the CACREP status of a program, search the CACREP website. 

NOTE: Applicants are strongly advised to verify their eligibility for the NCC prior to applying. Requirements of the NCC certification can be found on NBCC’s website at nbcc.org/Certification/NCC. 

The application opens July 1, 2024, and the deadline is Sept. 30, 2024, at 11:59 pm EDT.  

Fellowship awardees will be announced by the end of December 2024. 

Disclaimer: Please be advised that all NBCCF MFP awards are subject to future funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA). 

 

 For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). If after reviewing our FAQ document you still have questions, please email Foundation@nbcc.org or call 336-232-0376. 

*Eligibility requirements for MFP awards are defined by SAMHSA. The program is not limited to individuals from minority populations; however, SAMHSA does prioritize individuals from the following communities: African American, Alaska Native, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander. SAMHSA’s priority population decision is based on the documentation of significant mental health disparities within these communities and the SAMHSA-identified strategy of increasing the number of individuals representing these communities in counselor education and leadership. This priority is considered when there are applicants with equivalently strong results identified during the review process. In that case, those applicants who meet the SAMHSA priority are chosen.

The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce the 2024 application period for the National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program (NBCC MFP) for Mental Health Counselors (MHC-D). This program is made possible by a grant awarded to the NBCC Foundation by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The NBCC Foundation will administer up to 20 doctoral-level counseling fellowships of $22,000, plus the travel expenses to participate in program-related trainings.

The NBCC MFP helps ensure that the behavioral health needs of all Americans are met, regardless of language or culture, thereby reducing health disparities and improving overall community health and well-being. Minorities include but are not limited to racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, sexual orientation, rural, or military groups. By strategically promoting and providing fellowships to doctoral counseling students, the NBCC MFP strengthens the infrastructure that engages diverse individuals in counseling and increases the number of professional counselors.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with one or more of the following: people with serious mental illness/serious emotional disturbance; child/adolescent and geriatric groups; minority communities in inner cities and rural areas; refugee and migrant groups; minority persons including LGBTQI+; and those who are active-duty military, veterans, or from military families. Eligible applicants must commit to teach, administer services, conduct research, and/or provide direct mental health counseling to at least one of the above-listed populations.  
 

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status. 
• Applicants must not already possess a doctoral degree in a behavioral health field.  
• Applicants must not receive any other federal funds (except for federal loans, work-study, or employment).   
• Applicants must currently be board certified by holding the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. If the applicant is not currently board certified, they must document all the following:  

1. A full state license as a professional counselor.  
2. A passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). 
3. A commitment to apply for the NCC credential and to complete the application within the shortest possible timeframe after notification of the MFP award. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine their eligibility to obtain this certification prior to applying for the fellowship.  

• Applicants must have completed one semester between summer 2023 and summer 2024 in a doctoral-level counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or counseling program pending CACREP accreditation. 
• Applicants must be currently enrolled full time and be in good standing in a CACREP-accredited, doctoral-level counseling program or counseling program pending CACREP accreditation. Applicants must be currently taking courses at the time of application. Applicants may not have a pending status, deferred status, or other future start date for coursework. 
• Applicants are expected to graduate by Dec. 31, 2027 (within 3 years of the date of the fellowship funding).
• Eligible applicants must not have an anticipated academic program completion date before Sept. 30, 2025, which will be verified in writing by their academic department prior to the awarding of funds. 
• Applicants must have demonstrated knowledge and experience with people with serious mental illness/serious emotional disturbance; child/adolescent and geriatric groups; minority communities in inner cities and rural areas; refugee and migrant groups; minority persons including LGBTQI+; and those who are active-duty military, veterans, or from military families. 
• Applicants must commit to teach, administer, research, and/or provide direct mental health services to minority and underserved populations in the private, nonprofit, or public sectors within 1 year of graduation and for the duration of 2 years postgraduation.  
• Applicants must be able to attend the 2025 NBCC Foundation’s Bridging the Gap Symposium to open their fellowship year the week of Feb. 27–March 1, 2025, and to close their fellowship year at the 2025 NBCCF Fall Institute during the week of Sept. 9–13, 2025, and up to two other training events during their fellowship year. 

African Americans, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are especially encouraged to apply.* 

To check the CACREP status of a program, search the CACREP website. 

NOTE: Applicants who are not already NBCC board certified counselors are strongly advised to verify their eligibility for the NCC prior to applying. Requirements of the NCC certification can be found on NBCC’s website at nbcc.org/Certification/NCC. 

The application opens July 1, 2024, and the deadline is Sept. 30, 2024, at 11:59 pm EDT.  

Fellowship awardees will be announced by the end of December 2024. 

Disclaimer: Please be advised that all NBCCF MFP awards are subject to future funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA).

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). If after reviewing our FAQ document you still have questions, please email Foundation@nbcc.org or call 336-232-0376.

*Eligibility requirements for MFP awards are defined by SAMHSA. The program is not limited to individuals from minority populations; however, SAMHSA does prioritize individuals from the following communities: African American, Alaska Native, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander. SAMHSA’s priority population decision is based on the documentation of significant mental health disparities within these communities and the SAMHSA-identified strategy of increasing the number of individuals representing these communities in counselor education and leadership. This priority is considered when there are applicants with equivalently strong results identified during the review process. In that case, those applicants who meet the SAMHSA priority are chosen. 

2024–2026 Minority Fellowship Program Advisory Council

The NBCC Foundation (NBCCF) is pleased to announce the search for NBCC Minority Fellowship Program (NBCC MFP) Advisory Council (AC) members to fill positions on Mental Health Counseling (MHC) and Addictions Counseling (MFP-AC) advisory councils for the 2024–2026 term, subject to future funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The NBCC MFP, made possible by a grant awarded to NBCCF by SAMHSA, helps ensure that the behavioral health needs of all Americans are met, regardless of language or culture, thereby reducing health disparities and improving overall community health and well-being. Populations served include but are not limited to those who are underserved and underrepresented because of their race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, disability, or sexual orientation and those underserved who live in rural locations or are affiliated with a military population (active servicemembers and their families or veterans). 

Each MFP Advisory Council (MFPAC) will consist of members willing to promote and support the mission of the NBCC MFP. Advisory Council members are elected to serve a 2-year term (October 2024–September 2026) and may be elected for a second 2-year term. Some domestic travel will be necessary.

Mental Health Counseling (MHC) Advisory Council

Advisory Council will be comprised of:

• Five – NBCC MFP Alumni
• One – Consumer Representative
• One – Family Member Representative

Eligibility Requirements:

• Candidates must be one or more of the following:
• Doctoral-level counselor educator or professional counselor holding the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential and in good standing.
• Master’s-level professional counselor holding the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential and in good standing.
• Consumer representative may also be a professional counselor or counselor educator.
• Family member representative may also be a professional counselor or counselor educator.

NBCC MFP alumni candidates must:

• Have completed the fellowship program 2 years prior to applying to serve as an Advisory Council Member. 
• Have completed all their fellowship program deliverables and be in good standing.
• Demonstrate expertise in providing mental health counseling services to underserved racial and ethnic minority communities. 

Consumer representative and family member representative candidates must:

• Understand the importance of disparity issues and bridging the gap in mental health counseling services to underserved racial and ethnic minority communities. 

Addictions Counseling (AC) Advisory Council

This program is administered by the NBCC Foundation in collaboration with NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals. 

Advisory Council will be comprised of:

• Five – NBCC or NAADAC MFP Alumni
• One – Consumer Representative
• One – Family Member Representative

Eligibility Requirements:

Candidates must be one or more of the following:

• Doctoral-level addictions counselor educator or professional counselor, board certified (NCC or NCC AP), and in good standing.
• Master’s-level addictions counselor, board certified (NCC or NCC AP), and in good standing.
• Consumer representative may also be an addictions counselor or counselor educator.
• Family member representative may also be an addictions counselor or counselor educator.

NBCC or NAADAC MFP alumni candidates must:

• Have completed the fellowship program 2 years prior to applying to serve as an Advisory Council Member. 
• Have completed all their fellowship program deliverables and be in good standing.
• Demonstrate expertise in providing substance use counseling services to underserved racial and ethnic minority communities. 

Consumer representative and family member candidates must:

• Understand the importance of disparity issues and bridging the gap in substance use counseling services to underserved racial and ethnic minority communities.

NBCC MFP Advisory Council Key Responsibilities:

• Make recommendations to NBCC Foundation staff regarding the selection criteria for the fellowships.
• Make recommendations to NBCC Foundation staff regarding the final selection of MFP Fellows from a list of finalists.
• Make recommendations to staff on policies and procedures for administering the program.
• Support the Fellows through regular group check-ins.
• Provide support and guidance to Fellows and mentors during the mentorship process.
• Provide education and leadership to the counseling profession.
• Participate in monitoring fellowship recipients to support adherence to their individual fellowship plans and to the program.
• Assist the NBCC Foundation staff with developing and providing training for the Fellows either virtually through webinars, or through in-person training events and panel discussions.
• Participate in outreach and distribution about behavioral health care career paths to high school, community college, and technical/vocational students in their communities.

Individuals who are of Native American, Black, Latina/Latino, Asian, and Hawaiian Native and Other Pacific Islander descent; individuals who represent LGBTQIA2S+ populations; and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Former NBCC MFPAC members may apply to begin a new term of service on the 2024–2026 Advisory Council.

All interested candidates must submit a résumé/CV and letter of interest. Letters of interest should describe understanding of disparity issues, or experience working with and providing mental health and/or substance use counseling services to underserved populations (including people with serious mental illness/serious emotional disturbance; child/adolescent and geriatric groups; minority communities in inner cities and rural areas; refugee and migrant groups; minority persons including LGBTQI+; and those who are active-duty military, veterans, or from military families). Cultural competency and strong skills in networking, public relations, presentation, communication, goal-setting, and task management are also required and should be evident on the résumé/CV and in the letter of interest. Letters should also describe an understanding of the NBCC MFP program and how the applicant will contribute to the leadership of the program.

Time Commitments: The MFPAC meets at least once every quarter (four times annually October–September) to conduct business. At least one meeting takes place in person and other meetings typically take place through virtual means. Attendance during the MFP final selection meeting (virtual) and MFP Orientation and Training (in person) are mandatory. All expenses involved in NBCC MFPAC travel are reimbursed according to grant allowances. Each term is for 2 years with the option to serve an additional 2 years. MFPAC members will engage in an online training program prior to beginning their term.

Candidates must have the ability to navigate virtual teleconferencing software and be able to make the time commitment to attend to MFPAC responsibilities.

Applications will be accepted until Aug. 31, 2024, at 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight Time.

The NBCC Foundation (NBCCF) is accepting proposals from individuals interested in presenting at the 2025 Bridging the Gap Symposium: Eliminating Mental Health Disparities, to be held Feb. 28–March 1, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. The Symposium theme will focus on counseling skills, research, and resources that advance counseling practices and counselor education to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and promote equitable access to mental health resources.

We welcome applications from presenters who can provide creative and unique presentations that highlight evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant practices or research addressing ways to serve and bridge the gap for underserved communities (including underrepresented ethnic and racial groups, children, veterans, the elderly, military or rural populations, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals). 

Application Deadline is Aug. 31, 2024, at 11:59 pm EDT.

Category Descriptions:

1. Implementation of Trauma-Informed Care — Topics that increase awareness of culturally relevant research and application of trauma-informed care to expand access for underserved clients and communities (including underrepresented ethnic and racial groups, children, veterans, the elderly, military or rural populations, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals).

2. Expanding Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents — Topics that increase awareness of disparities in care and culturally relevant research and clinical practice to expand access and promote optimal mental health for children and adolescents. Focus must be on serving underserved clients and communities (including underrepresented ethnic and racial groups, children, veterans, the elderly, military or rural populations, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals).

3. Strengthening the Profession Through Leadership and Advocacy — Topics that increase access and demonstrate the significance of counselor leadership, advocacy, and political engagement for issues that impact underserved clients and communities (including underrepresented ethnic and racial groups, children, veterans, the elderly, military or rural populations, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals).  

4. Underserved Clients and Societal Institutions — Topics that focus on the empowerment of marginalized voices and enhance access to increased understanding of racism, discrimination, and other societal or systemic barriers to care in educational, governmental, religious, health care, occupational, and other societal institutions. Presentation must increase awareness and understanding of serving underserved clients and communities (including underrepresented ethnic and racial groups, children, veterans, the elderly, military or rural populations, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals).  

5. Decolonizing the Counseling Profession — Topics that increase awareness of and improve access to culturally relevant strategies and interventions in the research, leadership, and practice of counseling, with a specific focus on unique needs and experiences of underserved clients and communities (including underrepresented ethnic and racial groups, children, veterans, the elderly, military or rural populations, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals).  

6. Treatment of Substance Use and Addiction in Underserved Communities — Topics that increase awareness of equitable, evidence-based practices and culturally relevant treatment of substance use disorder and addiction in serving underserved clients and communities (including underrepresented ethnic and racial groups, children, veterans, the elderly, military or rural populations, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals).

7. Suicide Prevention and Awareness — Topics that increase awareness of equitable, evidence-based and culturally relevant approaches in suicide prevention and services for clients and communities (including underrepresented ethnic and racial groups, children, veterans, the elderly, military or rural populations, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals).

Proposal and Policy Guidelines:

Proposals to present must contain and convey sufficient detail to allow NBCCF’s Symposium Planning Committee to understand how the proposed presentation will contribute to the Symposium objectives. Selection is competitive, so you must submit a compelling and complete proposal.

• Persons presenting at the Symposium are expected to use material and language that does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, physical ability, and/or sexual orientation.
• There is a limit of three co-presenters allowed per presentation.
• If your proposal is selected, NBCCF reserves the right, with your consent, to revise presentation titles and/or edit the program summary for promotional and program materials. Please note the character limit as described below. NBCCF will adjust bios, titles, descriptions, and objectives that do not meet this requirement.                               

1. Biography — 2,000 characters
2. Presentation Title — 100 character
3. Description and Objectives (combined) — 2,300 characters

• NBCCF follows the style guide set forth by NBCC and Affiliates, and any edits necessary to conform with these requirements will be made.
• NBCCF reserves the right to cancel a presentation based on noncompliance at any point. This includes, but is not limited to, failure to register for the Symposium by the due date, failure to return required documents by the due date (e.g., agreement, presentation materials, bios, photos), or failure to make presenter changes by the due date.

No more than two proposals from one speaker will be considered. Please complete a separate application for each proposal.

Presentation Types:

Presentations should be highly interactive, collaborative, and show the application of the outcomes of a research project or share findings on the implementation of effective, evidence-based practices. There are two presentation lengths: 90 minutes and 60 minutes.

• 90-minute Workshop Presentation: The 90-minute education sessions follow a standard workshop format consisting of a presentation and brief Q&A session.
• 60-minute Workshop Presentation: The 60-minute education sessions follow a standard workshop format consisting of a presentation and brief Q&A session.
• 60-minute Roundtable Discussion: These sessions are intended to be discussions in which participants discuss and learn more about the topic posed by the presenter. The framework is as follows: presenter will facilitate a brief introduction to the topic, set a context for the discussion, and facilitate a conversation around questions that the participants have or those posed by the presenter. The facilitated session will last for approximately 60 minutes (maximum of a 30-minute presentation/30-minute discussion).

Presenter Benefits Provided by NBCCF:

• Presenters (including co-presenters) receive a complimentary Symposium registration, including admission to the pre-Symposium events, presentations, and networking events as applicable.

1. Complimentary registrations are limited to three presenters per 90-minute presentation, including the lead presenter.
2. Complimentary registrations are limited to two presenters per 60-minute presentation, including the lead presenter.

• Presenters will receive a copy of their attendees’ evaluation report summary with presentation ratings and feedback after the Symposium.
• NBCCF does not pay an honorarium or expenses for presenting at the Symposium, but we hope that the benefits of being a part of our programming and sharing expertise with an emerging group of mental health counselors make the effort worthwhile for presenters.
   

Call for Presenter Proposal Evaluation:

Proposals are evaluated objectively with consideration of the following criteria:

• degree to which the proposed presentation meets the Symposium/program objectives
• presenter’s presentation skills and experience
• desirability of the topic
• clarity of learning objectives
• overall clarity of proposal

Evaluation timeline/schedule:

• July 15 – Aug. 31, 2024: Application period open.
• Sept. 1 – Sept. 15, 2024: Proposals reviewed.
• Oct. 15, 2024: Presenters notified if proposal has been accepted.
   

Other Speaker Requirements:

• Acknowledge availability to speak during any time frame of the event and do not request a change to the presentation time frame assigned, if selected.
• Work closely with event programming department and meet all deadlines.
• Design and provide high-quality PowerPoint, Prezi, or other similar presentation in electronic format by the deadline.
• Recognize that a presentation is an opportunity to share information and is not a showcase for promotion of business, practice, service, or product. 
• Acknowledge that although this event is being planned as an in-person event, circumstances may require the event to be delivered in a virtual format. Please take this into consideration when answering the question(s) related to adapting your presentation to a virtual format. 

The NBCC Foundation is seeking dynamic presenters for our monthly webinar programs on (1) Innovations in Counseling: Working with Minority Populations and (2) Building Professional Excellence. These webinars enhance care for underserved minorities and provide ongoing training to NCCs and CCE credential holders in addition to Foundation scholars and fellows. These resources become part of our capacity-building plan and are archived in our webinar library available on CCE Academy. 

Webinars are conducted online, and no travel commitment is required from our webinar presenters. The NBCC Foundation handles all the logistics of managing the webinar platform, advertising and promotion. All webinar presenters must hold a minimum of a master's degree in counseling or a related mental health field and be a board certified counselor.