Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery Prevention Fellowship

Learn, lead, and make a lasting impact in Washington State!

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 fellows 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.

We are not yet recruiting for Cohort 12; please stay tuned!

More about the Fellowship

Quick links:

Washington State University DBHR Prevention Fellowship page Frequently Asked Questions for Applicants Job description

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

 

Meet the DBHR Prevention Fellows

Alumni

Cohorts 8-10 fellow pictures and information coming soon!

Cohort 8

Desirae Armijo	Education Pending DBHR Prevention Fellowship Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA
Yi (Eileen) Yu	Education Pending DBHR Prevention Fellowship Phase 1: Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA

Cohort 7

Gilda Yruretagoyena	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
Cesar Zatarain Jr.	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
Angel Cheung	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

Cohort 6

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: Port Townsend, WA Phase 3: Quilcene, WA Phase 4: Prevention System Manager Apprenticeship

Ridge Bynum	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
Jacqueline Penner	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

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: Tumwater, WA Phase 3: Rochester, WA
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: Deming, WA Phase 3: Port Angeles, WA
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: Lakewood, WA Phase 3: Orting, WA

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 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.

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, 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, 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.
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: 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.

Cohort 2

Endalkachew Abebaw	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.
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: 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.

Cohort 1

Alejandra Padilla	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.
Destiny Eversull	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.
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.

DBHR Prevention Fellowship news

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.