Learn, lead, and make a lasting impact in Washington State!
Applications for Cohort 11 of the Washington State Health Care Authority, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery’s (DBHR) Prevention Fellowship Program, beginning in November 2023, are now open!
Applications are due 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
For the past four years, DBHR’s Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Mental Health Promotion Section (DBHR-Px), in partnership with Washington State University’s (WSU) IMPACT Lab, has welcomed 28 passionate, inquisitive, and hardworking undergraduate and graduate students into the DBHR Prevention Fellowship Program.
The DBHR Prevention Fellowship is a paid 10-month opportunity that grants unparalleled access to Washington State's leaders in behavioral health prevention, treatment, and recovery. Fellows play a pivotal role on the DBHR team, helping solve real world problems in prevention science, substance use prevention, and mental health promotion. Through these meaningful interactions, Fellows gain invaluable insights into state, local, and community initiatives that profoundly impact the well-being of children, youth, and families across Washington State.
All applicants with a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent years of relevant experience, are encouraged to apply! Whether your academic focus lies in social work, public health, public policy, communications, public administration, or any other related discipline, DBHR-Px provides an inclusive environment where your aspirations can thrive.
Take the challenge! Make a change! Apply today!
To learn more about the Fellowship Program, review the frequently asked question document, visit the fellowship website, and attend an upcoming informational session:
For any questions, please contact:
Quick links:
The DBHR Fellowship is a 10-month fellowship, designed to expand the field of substance use disorder prevention and build capacity in communities that currently implement CPWI.
The fellowship is broken down in to three phases: Phase 1 in Olympia, Washington working within the DBHR office; Phase 2 in an existing Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (CPWI) community in Washington State, acting as a mentee under a current CPWI Coalition Coordinator; and Phase 3 in a high-need community.
DBHR Prevention Fellowship timeline
Apply using the links below:
Alumni
Cohorts 8-10 fellow pictures and information coming soon!
Cohort 8
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Desirae Armijo
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Education
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
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| Yi (Eileen) Yu |
Education
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
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Cohort 7
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Gilda Yruretagoyena
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Education
- A.A.S., Chemical Dependency, Highline Community College, expected
graduation December 2022
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: TBD
- Phase 3: TBD
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Cesar Zatarain Jr.
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Education
- B.A., Criminal Justice and Criminology, Washington State University, 2021
- Minor in At-Risk Youth Sociology, Washington State University, 2021
- B.A., Psychology, Washington State University, 2021
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: TBD
- Phase 3: TBD
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Angel Cheung
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Education
- B.S., Public Health - Global Health, University of Washington, 2021
- B.S., Biochemistry, University of Washington, 2021
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: TBD
- Phase 3: TBD
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Cohort 6
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Alexis Schmierer
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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: Port Townsend, WA
- Phase 3: Quilcene, WA
- Phase 4: Prevention System Manager Apprenticeship
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Ridge Bynum
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Education
- B.S. Psychology, Washington State University, 2021
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Sunnyside, WA
- Phase 3: Selah, WA
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Jacqueline Penner
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Education
- B.A. Human Development, Washington State University, 2021
- Certificates: Global Leadership and Family Studies, Washington
State University, 2021
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Omak, WA
- Phase 3: Tonasket,WA
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Cohort 5
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Akshaya Sivakumar
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Education
- B.A. Sociology, Gonzaga University
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Tumwater, WA
- Phase 3: Rochester, WA
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Madeline Kramer
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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: Deming, WA
- Phase 3: Port Angeles, WA
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Isaac Derline
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Education
- B.A. Community Health, Western Washington, 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Lakewood, WA
- Phase 3: Orting, WA
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Cohort 4
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Sabrina DiGennaro
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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.
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Rachel Oliver
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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.
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Samantha Pangelinan
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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.
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Grace Wilkowski
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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 Valley School District, Spokane Valley, WA
- Phase 3: West Valley School District, 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.
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Cohort 3
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Sophia Hilsen
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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, 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.
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Emma Neller
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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.
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Krista Timm
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Education
- B.A. Human Development, Washington State University, 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Walla Walla, WA
- Phase 3: College Place, 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 Behavioral Health Specialist for Walla Walla County Department of
Community Health.
- Krista's reflection.
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Sazi Wald
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Education
- M.S.W., University of Washington, 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Tenino, WA
- Phase 3: Tenino/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.
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Cohort 2
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Endalkachew Abebaw
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Education
- B.S. Human Development, Washington State University, 2019
- Certificate: Adolescent Development, Washington State University, 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship:
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Auburn, WA
- Phase 3: 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.
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Mariel Irvan
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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.
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Tori McDermott Hale
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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: Tacoma/Parkland, WA
- Phase 3: Fife, 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.
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Cohort 1
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Alejandra Padilla
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Education
- B.S. Psychology, Human Development, Washington State University, 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Mattawa, WA
Post-Fellowship
- Alejandra left the fellowship early to pursue a new career opportunity.
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Destiny Eversull
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Education
- B.S. Human Development, Washington State University, 2019
- Minor: Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Washington State University, 2019
- Certificate: Family Studies, Washington State University, 2019
DBHR Prevention Fellowship
- Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
- Phase 2: Monroe, WA
- Phase 3: 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.
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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: Bellingham, WA
- Phase 3: 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.
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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.
