2025 MFP Advisory Council Application

2025–2027 Minority Fellowship Program Advisory Council

The NBCC Foundation (NBCCF) is pleased to announce the search for NBCCF Minority Fellowship Program (NBCCF MFP) Advisory Council (AC) members to fill positions on Mental Health Counseling (MHC) and Addictions Counseling (MFP-AC) advisory councils for the 2025–2027 term, subject to future funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 

The NBCCF 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. By strategically promoting and providing fellowships to doctoral- and master’s-level counseling students, the NBCCF 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 underserved populations.   

Each MFP Advisory Council (MFPAC) will consist of members willing to promote and support the mission of the NBCCF MFP. Advisory Council members are elected to serve a 2-year term (October 2025–September 2027) 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 – NBCCF 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 

NBCCF 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 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 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 – NBCCF 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 

NBCCF 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 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 communities. 

NBCCF 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. 

Former NBCCF MFPAC members may apply to begin a new term of service on the 2025–2027 Advisory Council.

All interested candidates must submit a résumé/CV and letter of interest. The letter of interest should describe the applicant’s experience providing mental health and/or substance use counseling services to individuals in need, such as those with serious mental illness or emotional disturbance, children and adolescents, older adults, individuals living in rural or urban communities, and those with military backgrounds. Applicants should demonstrate strong skills in communication, public speaking, goal-setting, and task management. The letter should also reflect an understanding of the NBCC Foundation’s Minority Fellowship Program and outline how the applicant will contribute to the leadership and mission 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 virtually. 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.

NOTE: Applicants are strongly advised to verify their status as an NCC or NCC AP prior to applying. 

Applications will be accepted until July 31, 2025, at 11:59 pm EDT.