The Hogg Foundation defines “lived experience” as someone who has personal or familial experience of receiving and/or coordinating mental health and/or substance use services within various systems in Texas (for example, state hospitals, the public mental health system, child welfare, schools, juvenile justice, etc.). The peer policy fellow is willing to share their experiences to advocate within the policy and advocacy workspace.

Both fellows and the mentors actively participate in all cohort activities during the two-year period, including in the Hogg Mental Health Policy Academy.  The Academy serves as a learning community for fellows and mentors, including monthly meetings that help build a sense of camaraderie. The Academy provides professional development opportunities on topics such as the basics of the legislative process, the state’s budget, and issue-specific presentations from experts in the field.

Policy Fellow Retrospective

We take a look back at our decade of investment in the Mental Health Policy Academy and Policy Fellow Initiative. 

Take a look at the retrospective

Upon receiving grant funds, organizations employ a policy fellow to integrate within their current staff and provide them with one or two mentors, focusing both on policymaking and mental health. Fellows remain with their respective organization for up to two years. Embedded into their training are ongoing opportunities to witness and take part in various policymaking opportunities, such as the legislative session—from testifying at the capitol to forming and participating in advocacy coalitions across sectors.

Throughout the two-year fellowship, the policy fellows focus on diverse and innovative policy projects and activities that focus on the unique vision and mission of their host organization. The policy fellows explore being researchers, writers, presenters, trainers, organizers, collaborators, and leaders.

Policy Academy

The Hogg Foundation’s Mental Health Policy Academy, facilitated by Texans Care for Children, provides substantial professional development and an enriching network in the areas of mental health policy and advocacy.

Participants in the academy receive training to enhance their effectiveness as advocates. They are provided frequent networking opportunities with legislative staffers, policy experts, individuals with lived experience, family members, and direct service providers. In addition, policy fellows and their mentors attend a federal immersion program based in Washington, D.C.

Concepts discussed include:

• Identifying policy challenges, assessing options for addressing them, and developing policy solutions
• The landscape of Texas behavioral health policy
• State budget and legislative process
• State administrative policymaking and implementation 
• Strategies for working with and educating decision-makers in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government
• Importance of lived experience and recovery-focused voices in policymaking and advocacy 
• Understanding the role of public policy in promoting systems change 
• How organizations can inform and/or engage in the public policymaking process