Learn, lead, and make a lasting impact in Olympia
For the past year, the Washington State Health Care Authority, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR), in partnership with the Washington State University (WSU) IMPACT Lab, has welcomed 13 passionate, inquisitive, and hardworking undergraduate and graduate students into the Prevention Fellowship Program.
Fellows play a pivotal role in the DBHR team, helping solve real world problems in prevention science, substance use prevention, and mental health promotion. These interactions provide one-of-a-kind insights into state, local, and community initiatives that impact the health and well-being of children, youth, and families in Washington State.
The DBHR Prevention Fellowship is a paid 10-month experience that offers unparalleled access to Washington State's leaders in behavioral health prevention, treatment, and recovery. Fellows dive into hands-on problem-based learning alongside the state's behavioral health prevention, treatment, and recovery leaders. At the end of the experience, fellows are uniquely positioned to enter the prevention workforce, walking away with newfound leadership and communication skills and a deep understanding of multi-level prevention work.
Prevention science experience is not necessary, and students of all majors are encouraged to apply. We welcome all applicants who have obtained or are working towards a bachelor's degree! Whether your interest is in social work, public health, public policy, communication, public administration, or elsewhere, there is a place for you here at DBHR Fellowship.
Take the challenge! Make a change!
Questions? Contact:
In 2019, the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery welcomed the first cohort of the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR). The new program is supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response grant and implemented in partnership with Washington State University (WSU).
Purpose
The DBHR Fellowship Program works to expand the field of substance use disorder prevention and build capacity in communities. The Fellows will:
- Develop knowledge of prevention science and best practices by participating in statewide prevention trainings
- Gain experience in strategic planning, program design, implementation, and contract and program management
- Assist the state with policy and programmatic development
- Provide technical assistance to communities
Timeline
Applications for Cohort 7 coming soon.
Current Fellows
Cohort 5
|
Akshaya Sivakumar
|
Education
- B.A. Sociology, Gonzaga University
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: TBD
- Phase 3: TBD
|
|
Madeline Kramer
|
Education
- B.A. Public Health - Global Health, University of Washington
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: TBD
- Phase 3: TBD
|
|
Isaac Derline
|
Education
- B.A. Community Health, Western Washington, 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: TBD
- Phase 3: TBD
|
Cohort 6
|
Ridge Bynum
|
Education
- B.S. Psychology, Washington State University, expected graduation May 2021
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: TBD
- Phase 3: TBD
|
|
Alexis Schmierer
|
Education
- B.A. Human Development, Washington State University, 2020
- Certificates: Early Childhood Education and Family Studies,
Washington State University, 2020
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: TBD
- Phase 3: TBD
|
|
Jacqueline Penner
|
Education
- B.A. Human Development, Washington State University, expected graduation
May 2021
- Certificates: Global Leadership and Family Studies, Washington State University,
expected graduation May 2021
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: TBD
- Phase 3: TBD
|
Alumni
Cohort 1
|
Destiny Eversull
|
Education
- B.S. Human Development, Washington State University, 2019
- Minor: Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Washington State University
- Certificate: Family Studies, Washington State University
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Monroe School District, Monroe, WA
- Phase 3: City of Sultan, Sultan, WA
- Phase 4*: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Cohort 1 Fellows had their fellowship extended for an additional 11 months!
Post-Fellowship
- Destiny is currently applying to graduate programs in Child Psychology. She is planning to continue serving people and providing youth with opportunities.
- Destiny's reflection.
|
Kersten T. Tano |
Education
- B.A. Human Development, Washington State University, 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Whatcom County Health Department, Bellingham, WA
- Phase 3: Skagit County Public Health Department, La Conner, WA
- Phase 4*: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Cohort 1 Fellows had their fellowship extended for an additional 11 months!
Post-Fellowship
- Employed as a Prevention System Manager with the Washington State Health Care Authority.
- Kersten's reflection.
|
Cohort 2
|
Endalkachew Abebaw
|
Education
- B.S. Human Development, Washington State University, 2019
- Certificate: Adolescent Development, Washington State University
DBHR Prevention Fellowship:
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Auburn School District, Auburn, WA
- Phase 3: King County Department of Community and Services, Seattle, WA
- Phase 4*: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Cohort 2 Fellows had their fellowship extended for an additional 6 months!
Post-Fellowship
- Currently pursuing a concurrent master's in social work and public health.
- Employed as a Prevention System Manager with Washington State Health Care Authority.
- Endalkachew's reflection.
|
|
Mariel Irvan
|
Education
- B.S. Psychology, Washington State University, 2019
- B.A. Human Development, Washington State University, 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Darrington, WA
- Phase 3: Finley, WA
Post-Fellowship
- Mariel is planning on pursuing a master’s degree in public administration.
- Mariel's reflection.
|
|
Tori McDermott Hale
|
Education
- B.S. Psychology, Washington State University, 2019
- B.A. Human Development, Washington State University, 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Franklin-Pierce Youth First!, Tacoma/Parkland, WA
- Phase 3: Fife, Pierce County, WA
- Phase 4*: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Cohort 2 Fellows had their fellowship extended for an additional 6 months
Post-Fellowship:
- Employed as a Management Analysis III with the Washington State Health Care Authority.
- Tori's reflection.
|
Cohort 3
|
Sophia Hilsen
|
Education
- B.A. Human Development, Washington State University, 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Friday Harbor Prevention Coalition, San Juan County, WA
- Phase 3: Port Angeles, WA
- Phase 4*: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Cohort 3 Fellows had their fellowship extended until September 29, 2020
Post-Fellowship
- Employed as a Youth Empowerment Specialist and Family Advocate in Hawaii.
- Sophia is interested in pursuing her master’s degree in prevention science or child psychology.
- Sophia's reflection.
|
|
Emma Neller
|
Education
- B.A. Public Health & Global Health, University of Washington, 2019
- Minor: Nutrition
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Marysville, WA
- Phase 3: Lakewood, WA
- Phase 4*: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Cohort 3 Fellows had their fellowship extended until September 29, 2020
Post-Fellowship
- Employed as a Research Assocate for the National Association of State Alcohol and
Drug Abuse Directors.
- Planning on pursuing a master's degree in public health.
- Emma's reflection.
|
|
Krista Timm
|
Education
- B.A. Human Development, Washington State University, Fall 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Walla Walla, WA
- Phase 3: TBD
- Phase 4*: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Cohort 3 Fellows had their fellowship extended until September 29, 2020
Post-Fellowship:
- Employed as a Behavioral Health Specialist for Walla Walla County Department of
Community Health.
- Krista's reflection.
|
|
Sazi Wald
|
Education
- M.S.W., University of Washington, 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, Tenino, WA
- Phase 3: Tenino or Rochester, WA
Post Fellowship
- Employed as the Behavioral Health Transition Age Youth Stable Housing Policy Lead with the
Washington State Health Care Authority
- Sazi's reflection.
|
Cohort 4
|
Sabrina DiGennaro
|
Education
- B.A. Human Development, Washington State University, 2020
- Minor: Psychology, Washington State University
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Marysville, WA
- Phase 3: Lakewood, WA
Post-Fellowship
- Employed as the Strengthening Families Program 10-14 Community of Practice and
Evaluator Coordinator for Washington State University.
- Sabrina is interested in pursuing a Ph.D in prevention science with a focus on substance use prevention.
Within substance use prevention, Sabrina's primary interest is responding to the current opioid crisis.
- Sabrina's reflection.
|
|
Rachel Oliver
|
Education
- B.S. Psychology, Washington State University, 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Wellpinit, WA
- Phase 3: Medical Lake, WA
Post-Fellowship
- Employed as a Prevention System Manager Apprentice for the Washington State Health Care Authority.
- Rachel is interested in pursuing a master's degree in prevention science or public health.
Ultimately, she would like to pursue law school and study public policy.
- Rachel's reflection.
|
|
Samantha Pangelinan
|
Education
- B.A. Human Development, Washington State University, 2020
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Yakima, WA
- Phase 3: Granger, WA
Post-Fellowship:
- Samantha is interested in pursuing a Ph.D in prevention science or a master's degree in counseling.
Samantha's primary values are helping youth, families, and the community.
- Samantha's reflection.
|
|
Grace Wilkowski
|
Education
- B.S. Psychology, Washington State University, 2020
- B.A. Human Development, Washington State University, 2020
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: East Spokane Valley, WA
- Phase 3: West Spokane Valley, WA
Post-Fellowship
- Employed as the Coalition Coordinator of the Shadle Prevention and Wellness Coalition in Spokane.
- Grace would like to pursue a master's degree in public health with a concentration in health policy
and administration. Grace's primary interest is to help bring mental health care to rural communities.
- Grace's reflection.
|
News and accomplishments
2020 community shoutout to DBHR Prevention Fellows Emma and Sabrina
- Emma (Cohort 3) and Sabrina (Cohort 4) have spent a portion of their fellowship experience in the Marysville community. Recently, the Marysville Coalition Coordinator shared gratitude for the fellows:
"Thanks again for steering Emma and Sabrina my way this January-June. They have been tremendous assets and invaluable team members. Both provided unique skill sets and incredible passion. Our coalition and myself are stronger and better for their contributions and leadership. I feel for both of them with COVID-19 impacting their community networking opportunities yet they responded with flexibility and adaptability. They have been inspiring for me and I am confident they have a promising and rich future."
DBHR Prevention Fellow Endalkachew highlights the Starts with One campaign on KZOK 102.5
- Endalkachew (Cohort 2) shared a public service announcement on KZOK 102.5 highlighting the Starts with One opioid prevention campaign. On-air, Endalkachew shared a brief overview of the campaign and the importance of disposing and storing opioids in order to prevention opioid misuse in our communities. Click here to listen to a recording of Endalkachew on-air.
2019 Washington State Prevention Summit
- In November 2019, all of the current DBHR Fellows attended the Washington State Prevention Summit in Yakima. Collectively, all nine fellows hosted a workshop on prevention workforce development and the fellowship program. Through the workshop, the fellows conveyed how coalition leaders and prevention professionals at the local and state level can impact workforce development strategies.
