Advocating for the behavioral health workforce on Capitol Hill

On June 18, 2026, members of APA’s Psychology Summer Institute traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for increased funding for the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP). Representing communities across the country, the fellows included advanced doctoral students and early-career psychologists committed to expanding access to culturally responsive mental and behavioral health care.

During their meetings, fellows highlighted the critical role MFP plays in addressing workforce shortages and improving access to care in underserved communities. Established by Congress in 1973 and administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, MFP supports the training, career development, and mentorship of mental and behavioral health professionals who serve communities with limited access to services.

Fellows shared how culturally and linguistically competent providers are essential to reducing barriers to care and improving outcomes for individuals from historically underserved populations. They also discussed the financial challenges many graduate students face, particularly those from under resourced communities, and how fellowship support helps reduce those barriers while strengthening the behavioral health workforce pipeline.

The fellows urged lawmakers to provide $25 million for MFP in fiscal year (FY) 2027, a funding level that would help expand training opportunities and increase the number of mental and behavioral health professionals prepared to serve diverse populations.

This Hill Day is part of APA’s longstanding annual advocacy for MFP, bringing fellows to Capitol Hill each year to share the program’s impact. MFP faced a challenging funding environment last year, and continued engagement through this event helped sustain congressional support and preserve funding. Encouragingly, the program was included in the House version of the FY 2027 appropriations bill, demonstrating bipartisan recognition of its value; this Hill Day aimed to secure increased funding in the final FY 2027 funding bill. At a time when many communities continue to experience shortages of behavioral health providers, fellows emphasized that sustained investment in programs like MFP is essential to ensuring all Americans have access to high-quality, culturally responsive care. APA Services will continue working with congressional champions and coalition partners to advance funding for MFP as the appropriations process moves forward.

For more information, email Raegina Likewise.