Prevention Fellowship Program

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) launched the Prevention Fellowship Program in 2006 in an effort to build a workforce of substance abuse professionals. The Prevention Fellowship Program (PFP) has two components: a Prevention Fellowship Program, and a Prevention Internship Program (established in 2010). During their program experience, fellows and interns focus on acquiring the necessary skills for success in the fields of substance use disorder prevention and behavioral health. The fellowship and internship programs prepare fellows and interns to provide capacity-building Technical Assistance (TA) to support integration of behavioral health prevention services in their state, tribe, or jurisdictions. In addition to building competencies in diverse areas of public, behavioral, and allied health practice, fellows and interns have opportunities to develop critical research, writing, evaluation, and presentation skills within a structured training program.

Since 2006, the Prevention Fellowship Program has served over 150 fellows and interns.  46 States, 8 Jurisdictions, 3 National Organizations, 8 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grantees, and 11 Tribal organizations have supported the PFP by providing mentorship and field placements to fellows and interns. 

Synergy Enterprises, Inc. (Synergy) has managed this program since 2009.  Synergy is a Maryland-based company that provides information technology and management consulting services to a steadily growing local, national, and international clientele in the public and private sectors.