AUSTIN, Texas – Five nonprofit organizations received a total of $687,000 over two years to hire an in-house policy fellow through the Hogg Mental Health Policy Fellow Grants program. The fellows to be hired by the grantees will be recent graduates of social work, law, public policy or other graduate programs who will receive intensive training, education and experience in mental health advocacy and policy work.

The Hogg Foundation launched the Mental Health Policy Academy and Fellows initiative in 2010. The purpose of the grant program is to build both individual and organizational capacity for effective mental health policy and advocacy work. Each fellow is provided with an experienced mentor. Both fellows and mentors attend the Hogg Mental Health Policy Academy. The academy provides training and support for the fellows, their mentors and others involved in advocacy work in Texas. The fellowships are two years long.

“The policy arena is one of the most important levers for bringing about lasting improvements in the mental health system. By definition, a Hogg Policy Fellow develops the skills and experience to play a leading role in transforming mental policy,” said Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director of the Hogg Foundation.

Recipients of the fellowship grants are:

  • Center for Public Policy Priorities
  • Disability Rights Texas
  • National Association of Social Workers Texas
  • Texans Care for Children
  • Texas Pediatric Society

Contact the grantees directly for information on these fellowship positions.

The Hogg Foundation advances recovery and wellness in Texas by supporting mental health services, policy analysis, research and public education. The foundation was created in 1940 by the children of former Texas Gov. James S. Hogg and is part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at The University of Texas at Austin.