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VCU Humphrey Fellows Program for 2010-2011

ARRIVAL INFORMATION

Please plan to arrive in Richmond, Virginia on Monday, August 16, 2010. You will be met at Richmond International Airport (RIC) by a VCU staff person who will take you to your housing. Someone will be waiting to meet you in the baggage claim area holding a sign that reads “VCU HUMPHREY PROGRAM.” If you have any problems during your travel to Richmond, please contact Crystal Thomas at 804-356-4519.

If for some reason you will be arriving before August 16, or if you must arrive at some location other than the Richmond airport, please let us know.

If for some reason you miss a connection and you will not arrive as scheduled, please call Crystal Thomas at 804-356-4519.

Finally, please bring a sufficient amount of cash to last you the first 10 days of your stay in Richmond. It will take approximately 10 days for your first stipend check to clear the bank so that you can have access to these funds.

FAMILY

We understand that it is very difficult to be away from your family for 10 months or more, and that you may want to bring them with you to Richmond. However, as noted in the IIE Humphrey Fellows guidelines, you must consider this matter very seriously. The allowance provided by the Humphrey Program, although sufficient for the individual Fellow, is not adequate to cover the additional costs for family members such as housing, food, and health insurance. The cost of bringing family members to the United States may add as much as $550 to $650 per month for each family member.

You should also remember that while in the United States you will be participating in many activities where your family members will not be able to join you. For example, there will be meetings and conferences in other cities, as well as excursions to social and cultural events. In addition, if you choose to do a Professional Affiliation at a site outside of Richmond, there will be no funds to support your family’s travel to and living expenses in this other site. In general, you will be very busy, and the time required to attend to family matters will make it difficult to fully take advantage of the Humphrey Fellowship experience and meet your professional goals. There are, however, two holiday breaks during the academic year when you may wish to have your family visit you. Winter Break will be at the end of the fall semester from December 18, 2010 through January 17, 2011. Spring Break will be in the middle of the spring semester from March 13, 2011 to March 20, 2011. In addition, you will also have a 30-day grace period at the end of the program when you can travel in the United States as a tourist. This would be another time when your families could join you before you return home.

If after considering all of the above, you do decide to bring family members, their arrival should be delayed until at least September 16, 2010. This will give you time to become familiar with VCU and the Richmond community, determine the financial implications, and begin your Fellowship program without having to worry about getting your family settled in at the same time. The one exception to this is if you have children who need to be enrolled in school. In this case, we will consider an earlier arrival. This must be approved by the Associate Coordinator.

For more information and advice on bringing a family member over to the United States, please contact the Humphrey Fellowship Program office at the Institute for International Education, since the DS2019 paperwork for the F2 visa is processed through that office.

ORIENTATION TO VCU AND THE CITY OF RICHMOND

During your first several days at VCU, there will be a variety of structured activities to help you settle into the VCU and Richmond communities and prepare for the busy Fellowship year ahead. The orientation is being jointly organized and led by the Office of International Education and the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies. A preliminary outline of orientation activities is presented below (see Table 1).

Table 1. Humphrey Fellows Orientation Schedule (Draft)

Day 1 – Tuesday, August 17

Morning           Introduction to your VCU housing                                  Pamela Haney
                        --including use of household appliances,
                        heating and air conditioning, garbage collection,
                        internet

Afternoon         Banking Workshop with Ashley Enders, Wachovia
Open bank accounts                                                                                 Crystal Thomas

Evening            Grocery shopping                                                            Crystal Thomas

Day 2 – Wednesday, August 18

Morning           City Bus to MCV                                                                Crystal Thomas

                        IDAS Orientation                                      R Balster, R Koch, C Thomas

Welcome and Introduction of Program Staff
Program Description
Role of IDAS and OIE
Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS activities at VCU
Academic Requirements
Program Mentors
Description of IDAS
Review Program Requirements and Timetable

Afternoon Get VCU ID CrystalThomas

Walking Tour of MCV Campus Crystal Thomas
Tour of Fellowship Office Crystal Thomas

Assignment of office space
Overview of office equipment
Office polices and procedures
Distribute pass cards and keys

Day 3 – Thursday, August 19

Morning    Intercultural Communication Workshop                            Kim Cressy

Afternoon Historic Tour of Richmond, Valentine Museum               Crystal Thomas

Orientation to the VCU Campus Connector Shuttle                         Crystal Thomas

Day 4 – Friday, August 20

Morning Paper work for IIE Crystal Thomas

VCU Information Technology Training

Lotus Notes (e-mail)
Security
Computer scams
VCU Computing Resources

Afternoon Cell Phones Crystal Thomas

Day 5 – Saturday, August 21

Morning Intro to the Richmond Bus System/Shopping Crystal Thomas

Evening Welcome Reception with OIE, IDAS and Fellows Bob Balster

Day 6 – Sunday, August 22

Afternoon Recreational/Cultural Activities Crystal Thomas

Day 7 – Monday, August 23

Morning Review IIE and IDAS Policy and Procedures Crystal Thomas

Travel (notification and forms)

Health Services and Policies Crystal Thomas

Student Health Services
IIE Accident and Sickness Insurance
Vaccinations

Afternoon Individual Academic Advising Alison Breland

Individual Meetings with Mentors Mentors

Day 8 – Tuesday, August 24

Morning           English as a Second Language (ESL)
Placement Test (for those taking ESL)                                               OIE & Crystal Thomas

Individual Academic Advising                                                               Alison Breland

Individual Meetings with Mentors                                                         Mentors

Afternoon   The Life and Vision of Hubert H. Humphrey Robert Balster

                  Humphrey Fellow Mentorship Program                         Robert Balster

                  Individual Academic Advising                                             Alison Breland

                  Individual Meetings with Mentors                                       Mentors

Day 9 – Wednesday, August 25

Morning Intro to Humphrey Seminar A. Breland & R. Koch

Introductions
Overview of US Educational System
Overview of US Government

Afternoon Social/Cultural Activity Crystal Thomas

Day 10 -- Thursday, August 26

First Day of Classes

Day 11 – Friday, August 27

Morning Review of “Humphrey Fellow Guidelines” C. Thomas & R. Koch

Review Program Requirements and Time Table
Stipends and Financial Support

Cultural and Recreational ResourcesAfternoon

Driving Tour of Richmond C. Thomas

August 30 (tentative)

Afternoon OIE Orientation Office of Int’l Education

Welcome
Overview of OIE and OIE Services
Personal safety and security

E-mail scams
Phone scams
Store credit cards

Salutations and Greetings in the United States
Gender and interpersonal communication/space

VCU policies on sexual harassment

Dating in the US
Friendship/Host Families
Shopping in Richmond
ESL training
VCU organizational structure

Evening Reception with Host Families

THE VCU HUMPHREY FELLOWS PROGRAM

The VCU Humphrey Fellows Program is a non-degree program designed to provide mid-career professionals with advanced leadership training that combines academic, practical and cultural activities. Our program involves the public health, substance abuse and other expertise of the entire university faculty as well as that of local health/substance abuse agencies and local and state government in a real-world exposure to research, treatment, prevention and policy in a mid-size American city. Please visit our website, http://www.vcu.edu/idas/humphrey/index.html to be introduced to the previous classes of Humphrey Fellows. In addition, each of you will be matched with one of our former Humphrey Fellows (“alumni buddy”) who has agreed to serve as another resource for you. We will “introduce” you to this person by e-mail, and you may then contact this person with questions you may have about any aspect of the Program and life in Richmond, Virginia.

Program Organization

Substance abuse and other health research are flourishing at VCU and are regularly identified as areas of scholarly excellence. The VCU Humphrey Fellowship program provides a university-wide experience for Humphrey Fellows that includes many opportunities for contact with all of the VCU programs in the substance abuse field. We are able to do this because the entire university effort in substance abuse is coordinated through the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS), directed by Dr. Robert Balster, who also serves as the Coordinator of the Humphrey Program. Our program also includes a major role for local government and community-based organizations in the execution of the Program.

The Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS) serves as the administrative home to the VCU Humphrey Program and coordinates individualized program plans for the Fellows, assists Fellows in developing Professional Affiliations and supports the Fellows’ professional development. The VCU Humphrey Fellowship Program is also supported by the VCU Office of International Education (OIE). OIE assists Fellows in moving to Richmond, coordinates housing, identifies host (“friendship”) families and offers numerous opportunities for meaningful cultural experiences in the Richmond area.

In addition to the Program Coordinator, VCU has many faculty with significant international scientific and leadership experience in public health and substance abuse research and training who can serve as mentors, including the following.

Dr. Faye Belgrave, Professor of Psychology, is an expert on culturally-enhanced and gender-specific drug abuse prevention. She has extensive experience working with underserved and minority-group populations.
Dr. William Dewey is an expert on opiate pharmacology and on science policy. He was the Vice President for Research at VCU before rejoining the faculty in a research role.
Dr. Louis Harris, former Chair of Pharmacology and Associate Vice-President for Health Sciences, is an expert in opiate pharmacology and very experienced in international drug control regulation, having participated in the development of the international Psychotropic Convention and serving for many years as advisor to the WHO drug scheduling effort. He is also visiting distinguished professor of pharmacology at Beijing Medical College.
Dr. Kenneth Kendler is Co-Director of the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics at VCU and is a world leader in research on the genetic determinants of substance abuse and other disorders.
Charles O’Keeffe, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, joined VCU after retiring as CEO of Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals. In this role, he led the development of a successful new medication (buprenorphine) for the treatment of opiate dependence. He also served in the White House Special Action Office of Drug Abuse Prevention during the Nixon administration and as a consultant to the State Department on international drug control regulation.
Dr. Wendy Kliewer is a professor and chair of psychology and faculty member in the Center for the Promotion of Positive Youth Development. Dr. Kliewer’s research interests include stress and coping in youth, with a particular focus on gender differences in youth’s coping and adjustment, and familial influences on youth’s coping and resilience.
Dr. Roy Pickens is a professor of psychiatry and an expert on familial risk factors for substance abuse. Dr. Pickens is a former Director of NIDA’s intramural research program in Baltimore.
Dr. Dace Svikis is a professor in the Department of Psychology. Her research interests include examining gender differences in alcohol and drug abuse treatment and prevention, perinatal addiction, psychiatric screening and assessment, and the translation of treatment research into “real life” clinical practice.
Dr. Michael Weaver is an associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine. Dr. Weaver’s ongoing clinical research activities include examining medication protocols for treatment of acute alcohol withdrawal in a general medical setting, the prescribing practices of physicians with respect to drugs with abuse potential, drug abuse patterns in chronic pain patients, drug courts, and studying the relative potency of smoked marijuana and oral tetrahydrocannabinol.
Dr. Rick Zimmerman is a professor of social and behavioral health with an interest in substance abuse and HIV prevention. His interests include research on mass media campaigns targeting youth and young adults.

Humphrey Program Staff

There are five key personnel responsible for conducting the VCU Humphrey Program: Coordinator, Associate Coordinator, Academic Coordinator, Assistant Coordinator, and the OIE Liaison. In addition, several other VCU personnel dedicate portions of their effort to this project for performing specific functions as described below.

Coordinator: Robert L. Balster is Director of the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS), Butler Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Research Professor of Psychology. He has been funded by the NIH since 1976 and is the recipient of an NIH MERIT Award. He has participated in many multidisciplinary activities, which include membership in the Robert Wood Johnson Research Network on the Etiology of Youth Tobacco Dependence, serving as Editor-in-Chief of Drug and Alcohol Dependence, an international multidisciplinary journal with a heavy concentration in the areas of behavioral and clinical sciences and epidemiology and as Director of IDAS, a multidisciplinary program involving faculty in twelve departments and three schools.Dr. Balster also has extensive experience in international research and training. He was the co-PI of an NIH Fogarty Center grant with Pavlov Medical University in St. Petersburg, Russia. He has hosted international scholars in his laboratories from Mexico, the Czech Republic, Colombia, Russia and France. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the European Behavioral Pharmacology Society and has been an advisor to the WHO for over 20 years, participating in several Expert Advisory Panels, authoring two WHO documents and working with the pharmaceutical industry to improve the functionality of international drug control treaties. He has authored a review of national and international guidelines for drug abuse potential assessment.Dr. Balster also brings extensive leadership and policy experience to this project. They include being President of the CPDD and the Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse Division of the American Psychological Association, and Chair of the Board of Scientific Affairs of the American Psychological Association. From 1994 to 1999 he served as the chief Public Policy officer for the CPDD, working with their Washington lobbying organization to bring science to bear on national drug abuse policy. He has had significant federal government advisory responsibilities, including service as Chair of the FDA Drug Abuse Advisory Committee which provided recommendation on drug abuse control of new medications and on the approval of new drug abuse treatments.

Associate Coordinator: J. Randy Koch, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies. Prior to joining VCU in 2003, he was the Director of Research and Evaluation for the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services, a position he held since 1989. Dr. Koch is a member of several national committees and work groups including, the Outcomes Roundtable for Children and Families and the Forum on Performance Measures in Behavioral Healthcare and Related Service Systems. Dr. Koch has conducted research in university, state government and private-for-profit organizations. He is a community psychologist with expertise in program development and evaluation. Dr. Koch’s research interests include co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, adolescent substance abuse, the etiology and prevention of youth tobacco and other substance use, program performance and outcome measurement, and the dissemination of evidence-based practices. Dr. Koch assists in the administration of the VCU Humphrey Program and coordinates university- and community-based affiliations for the Fellows.

Academic Coordinator: Dr. Alison Breland is the Academic Coordinator. In this role, she is primarily responsible for developing and conducting the Humphrey Seminar Series and helping Fellows identify and register for coursework appropriate for their development. Dr. Breland is trained as a research psychologist, with a background in human laboratory studies. She has conducted research in several areas, including work on alternative tobacco products, youth tobacco use, medications for alcoholism, and the use of evidence-based practices among substance abuse treatment providers. Dr. Breland has also taught courses in general psychology, tests and measurement, and physiological psychology.

Assistant Coordinator: Crystal Thomas is the Assistant Coordinator and will work directly with Fellows on a daily basis and will have an office in proximity to them. Ms. Thomas will plan volunteer and out reach activities for the Fellows as well as attend to day-to-day coordination, planning and problem solving. Ms. Thomas has a degree in psychology.

OIE Liaison: Pam Haney is the Director of International Student and Scholar Services. She will assist the Humphrey Fellows with housing and coordinate their assimilation into the Richmond community through the Friendship Partner program.

Humphrey Program Staff Contact Information

Coordinator
Robert L. Balster, Ph.D. Director
Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies
Virginia Commonwealth University
R. Blackwell Smith Building, Room 760
410 North 12th Street
P. O. Box 980310
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0310
Phone: (804) 828-8402
Fax: (804) 827-0304
E-mail: balster@vcu.edu

Associate Coordinator
J. Randy Koch, Ph.D., Executive Director
Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies
Virginia Commonwealth University
McGuire Hall, Rm. B08C
1112 East Clay Street
P. O. Box 980310
Richmond, VA 23298
Phone: (804) 828-8633
Fax: (804) 828-7862
E-mail: jrkoch@vcu.edu

Assistant Coordinator
Crystal Thomas
Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies
Old City Hall, Suite 350
1001 E. Broad Street
P.O. Box 980344
Richmond, VA 23298
Phone: (804) 828-7819
Cell: (804) 356-4519
E-mail: cathomas@vcu.edu

Academic Coordinator
Alison B. Breland, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate
Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies
Virginia Commonwealth University
Old City Hall, Suite 350
1001 East Broad Street
P. O. Box 980310
Richmond, VA 23298
Phone: (804) 628-2300
Fax: (804) 828-9091
E-mail: abbrelan@vcu.edu

Director of International Student and Scholar Services
Pamela Haney
Director, International Student and Scholar Services
Office of International Education
Virginia Commonwealth University
916 W. Franklin St.
P.O. Box 843043
Richmond, VA 23284-3043
Phone: 804.828.8309
Fax: 804.828.2552
E-mail: pohaney@vcu.edu

Program Components

The Humphrey Fellowship Program at VCU has many components and required activities, and it also provides many opportunities for you to explore your individual interests. The Program components are described below, and a list of major required Program activities/projects are attached to this document (see Summary of Major Program Requirements).

Individual Program Plan: Working with your advisor and the Humphrey Program Coordinator and/or Associate Coordinator, you will develop an Individual Program Plan (IPP) describing your activities for the Fellowship. This plan will be flexible, but it will have measurable goals for progress during the year. Individual Program Plans will include five types of activities: 1) Humphrey Seminar; 2) other academic coursework in your areas of interest; 3) Professional development activities, which may include day trips to local substance abuse and other health facilities, attendance at conferences, workshops and seminars, and meetings with state and national experts; 4) Professional Affiliations, including off-campus and on-campus affiliations; and 5) cultural excursions including visits to museums and historical sites, participation in ethnic festivals and so forth.

Humphrey Seminar Series: The Humphrey Seminar Series is intended to provide Fellows with the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics related to the US in general and substance abuse specifically. The series varies somewhat from year to year based on the interests and goals of the Fellows. In addition, during the seminar, Fellows also have the opportunity to learn from their classmates about international experiences with public health issues. The primary objectives of the Seminar Series are:

To familiarize Fellows with the US and Virginia government, health care, behavioral health care, and educational systems
To help Fellows better understand basic epidemiology, scientific research methods, program evaluation, monitoring and evaluation systems, and to critically evaluate scientific literature
To further educate Fellows about substance abuse issues relevant to particular populations (e.g., individuals with co-occurring disorders or HIV/AIDS, those involved in the criminal justice system, and women and adolescents), as well as particular focus areas (epidemiology, prevention, treatment, and policy)
To assist Fellows in the development of leadership skills, such as intercultural communication, grant writing, creating change, developing posters and oral presentations, as well as publishing professional manuscripts

The Seminar Series is held in both the fall and spring semesters, with Fellows meeting once a week for approximately three hours. A portion of each class includes a didactic lecture, but time is also reserved for class discussion, both on the topic for that class but also of current events and other matters of general interest. The seminar has been established as a 5-credit per semester graduate-level course (pass/fail) open only to Humphrey Fellows. The course is directed by Dr. Alison Breland of the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies. While the fall Seminar is generally set prior to the Fellows’ arrival, the spring semester offerings are guided by the Fellows and Dr. Breland, depending on the Fellows’ interests.

Lecture topics for previous years of the Humphrey Seminar are listed below. Lectures are delivered by VCU faculty, local leaders, and/or nationally-known speakers.

The US Government System
The US Healthcare System
Scientific Evidence—Reading the Literature
What is Evidence-based Practice?
History of Drug Control and Regulation
America and Global Security Issues
Substance Abuse Services for Women
NIDA Efforts to Monitor Substance Use/Abuse
Prescription Drug Abuse
Virginia Prescription Monitoring System
Costs of Substance Abuse to State and Local Governments in Virginia
Epidemiological data – National Surveys and Uses
HIV/AIDS in Virginia and Prevention Efforts

The Humphrey Seminar also includes several workshops. Previous workshops have included:

An Introduction to Library Services
“CDCynergy”—Designing of health communication plans and development of sound interventions
Intercultural communication
Grant writing
Creating change
Creating poster presentations

Elements of leadership training and knowledge are interwoven throughout the lectures, activities, and discussions of the Humphrey Seminar. Through the Seminar, Fellows have opportunities to interact with both junior and senior leaders in the substance abuse field who serve as lecturers.

In addition to attending the seminars, Fellows are expected to give three presentations during the year: (1) a presentation on their home countries, including a brief introduction to the country (e.g., demographics, geography and government), the epidemiology of substance use, and your goals for the Fellowship; (2) a presentation and critique of a published manuscript; and (3) a final project.

The final project focuses on each Fellow’s top priority for change upon returning home along with step-by-step activities describing how these changes will be implemented. Final projects are presented at the end of the spring semester. Projects can vary and may include: a detailed description of a research project they plan to implement in their home countries, a grant application with a U.S. collaborator for research to be conducted in their home countries; a best practice program adaptation for use upon return home; a program evaluation/needs assessment or a plan for an evaluation/needs assessment in their home countries; development of a manual for use by agencies in their home country (on topics such as treatment options, best practices, and evaluation methodologies), or some other project of particular value to the Fellow.

Fellows begin developing the topic for their final project during the fall semester, and turn in a short PowerPoint presentation with their ideas, including the rationale and background, at the end of the fall semester. Mid-spring, Fellows turn in a draft of the project (also in PowerPoint form). In the spring, the last three sessions of the seminar series are devoted to presentation of final projects. The Fellows’ advisors and other VCU faculty may be invited to attend these presentations. Fellows receive a formal evaluation of their presentation conducted by Program staff.

Finally, as part of the Humphrey Seminar, Fellows are also required to take a web-based course on research with human participants. In addition to providing Fellows with valuable information about ethical issues in the conduct of human research, successfully completing a web-based test on this material is a prerequisite for participating in any VCU research project involving human participants. This year, Fellows are required to submit a certification of completion by December 1, 2010.

The Humphrey Seminar is a critical component of the VCU Program. However, it is recognized that there may be other professional development opportunities that may conflict with the scheduled class time. Therefore, fellows are allowed one absence per semester in order to attend other professional development activities. Academic Coursework: A variety of other courses are available that can be taken for credit or audit. Additional courses that may be of interest are offered by the Departments of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Health Administration, Epidemiology and Community Health, and Psychology. Our goal is to develop a Program Plan that seeks balance between didactic, highly organized activities and more flexible one-on-one and small group experiences described below. Generally, Fellows are strongly discouraged from registering for more than 11 credits of didactic courses each semester including the 5-credit Humphrey Seminar. Please note that for those Fellows who prefer not to take traditional academic courses, opportunities exist for doing independent study with a VCU faculty member. If you are interested in this option, you should discuss it with the VCU Humphrey Fellowship Program Academic Coordinator.

Professional Development Activities (short-term): A wide variety of training and professional development activities are available to enhance your skills in specific areas. These include various on-campus seminars, short courses on such topics as information technology (e.g., software classes, library usage), teacher training, grant writing, and others. An up-to-date listing of these opportunities will be provided to you after your arrival. Somewhat less formal professional development will occur through attendance at local and national meetings and conferences and field trips to a variety of public health and substance abuse treatment programs, state and local agencies, and advocacy organizations. In addition, you will be expected to attend and make a presentation at the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s International Forum, and to attend the annual meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) in June, 2011. We anticipate that you will attend at least one additional conference or workshop during your Fellowship.

Of particular interest to some Fellows will be the opportunity to observe and participate in the legislative process. Each year, the Virginia General Assembly (which meets just across the street from campus) typically addresses several pieces of legislation related to substance abuse policy and services. Fellows will have an opportunity, if they desire, to discuss the intent of the legislation with its legislative sponsors and to talk to members of organizations with specific interests (both pro and con) in the proposed legislation. Fellows will also have the opportunity to learn how to track legislation as it moves through the General Assembly both by using the State’s web-based Legislative Tracking System and by attending committee meetings where public comments/testimony are provided. Through this experience, Fellows will learn how the delivery of substance abuse prevention and treatment services are influenced by public policy and the political process.

Professional Affiliation: Each Fellow is required to participate in at least one Professional Affiliation (PA) for a minimum of 30 work days (approximately 6 weeks). PAs may be extended beyond 30 days to complete a project if both the Fellow and host organization agrees. PAs may either be located in the Richmond area (Local PA) or at site located anywhere in the United States (Non-local PA). We strongly encourage VCU Fellows to have both a local and non-local PA.

Fellows will meet with the Coordinator or Associate Coordinator and their individual advisors to identify potential PAs and to develop a plan for the affiliation. Specific tasks to be completed, schedule of activities, etc. are negotiated between the Fellow and the host organization. The emphasis for each affiliation is on obtaining practical experience and the development of leadership skills in the chosen area. Drs. Balster and Koch will monitor the quality of the PA experience through regularly scheduled discussions with the Fellows and contacts with the host organization.

The Richmond metropolitan area is home to a large number of substance abuse organizations that will be excellent sites for a local PA. These organizations cover a broad range of functions including prevention and treatment services, policy development and program planning, program evaluation, funding, and advocacy:

Governor’s Substance Abuse Services Council
Governor’s Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (GOSAP)
Office of Substance Abuse Services, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS)
Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA)
Henrico Area Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Board
Chesterfield Community Services Board
Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance (SAARA)
Division of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Virginia Department of Health (VDH)

There are also opportunities to become affiliated with one of the substance abuse programs housed at VCU. These may include basic research laboratories in animal or clinical pharmacology, the Survey and Evaluation Research Laboratory which conducts program evaluation, as well as policy and survey research (including a regular state-wide phone survey), the Mid-Atlantic Addiction Technology Transfer Center, the Virginia Impaired Health Practitioners Program, the NIDA Clinical Trials Network, the Virginia Youth Tobacco Projects or many others. In some cases, these opportunities may be used to satisfy the requirement for a PA. Or, Fellows may choose to work on a project with a faculty member for academic credit or work with them on a more informal basis.

Non-local PAs are typically conducted at the end of the Fellowship year, usually starting in early May. The Humphrey Coordinator, Associate Coordinator and advisors assist the Fellows in identifying an appropriate PA. Fellows are encouraged to begin the process of identifying possible sites for their PAs shortly after their arrival at VCU.

Cultural Excursions: Over the course of your Fellowship, we will provide several opportunities for you to take advantage of the many historical and cultural resources in Richmond and the surrounding area. We are very fortunate to live in a city that is rich in history and culture, with several fine museums, art galleries, and historical homes and buildings. In addition, we are within easy driving distance of an amazing array of cultural, historical, and political resources in Washington, D.C. These experiences will greatly add to your enjoyment of your Fellowship experience and provide you with additional opportunities to learn about the United States.

ABOUT VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

Virginia Commonwealth University is an urban, public institution enrolling more than 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, professional and doctoral students on its two thriving campuses, located in the heart of Richmond.

More than 1,900 faculty members and nearly 1,200 adjunct faculty members comprise the University’s teaching force. VCU faculty attracts more than $230 million in sponsored research funding, and it is ranked by the Carnegie Foundation as one of the nation’s top research universities. The total workforce of the University — faculty, physicians, nurses and administrative and support staff — is over 18,000.

Research strengths at VCU include the basic and health sciences, business, behavioral sciences, public affairs, and the humanities. Among VCU’s many national rankings are 26 programs in the top tier of the U.S. News and World Report review, with two ranked number one in their discipline (for more information see: www.vcu.edu/ranking.

As part of a long-range strategic plan, VCU has been enhancing its stature as one of the nation’s leading research universities. Strategic projects have included establishing a new School of Public Health, which will be an important factor in translation of research into practice and for health promotion.

VCU offers 60 baccalaureate, 67 master’s, 40 doctoral as well as first professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and a variety of applied health fields; providing students with the unique opportunity to pursue their own educational goals and making VCU the most comprehensive university in Virginia. For more information about VCU, please see our website at www.vcu.edu.

ABOUT RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Richmond, the capital city of the state of Virginia, has a metropolitan area population of over 1.2 million. Richmond combines the excitement and opportunity of a large urban and international business center with the pace and traditions of an historical and residential area. Within easy driving distance of Washington, D.C., the U.S. capital, Virginia Beach and the Atlantic Ocean, and the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, Richmond’s location offers many sites of interest outside the city as well. For more information about Richmond, see www.richmond.com.

THE INSTITUTE FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL STUDIES

The Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS) was established at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1993 to promote excellence in research and education on substance abuse. Currently, the Institute is comprised of nearly 50 faculty members from 10 academic departments within the university, thus enabling a multidisciplinary approach to addressing the complex problems associated with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. With the efforts of VCU faculty and the help of other institutions focusing on alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse, IDAS has become a thriving research enterprise for VCU students and faculty, a national leader in addictions research and a valuable resource to the commonwealth of Virginia.

The substance abuse research conducted by IDAS faculty spans the disciplines of medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, as well as clinical and services research on community-based treatment and prevention. A major focus of our research is on the biological basis for the actions of drugs of abuse on the brain; significant contributions have been made to the study of cocaine, opiates, marijuana, alcohol, hallucinogens, tobacco, inhalants and PCP. This research has been particularly valuable in providing the scientific basis for developing new drug abuse treatments. Other important areas of substance abuse research include the study of behavioral and genetic factors related to drug addiction, the evaluation of abuse liability of new medications, and the development and evaluation of new prevention and treatment models. IDAS faculty also have made major contributions to the study of tobacco use and dependence in youth.

This multi-disciplinary focus has enabled VCU to become one of the leading universities in the world in attracting research support for studies of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. In 2009, IDAS faculty members generated approximately $21.5 million in external funding from numerous federal, state and private sources.

In addition to the large amount of sponsored research conducted by IDAS faculty members, they are widely recognized for their scholarly contributions to the field of substance abuse. The Humphrey Program Coordinator and director of IDAS, Dr. Robert Balster, serves as editor-in-chief of the scientific journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, and, during a typical year, faculty members published 200 books and scientific journal articles on drug and alcohol abuse. Three faculty members are past presidents of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), the longest standing organization in the United States addressing problems of drug abuse and dependence. Individual faculty members also have received numerous awards, including three recipients of the Nathan B. Eddy Award for lifetime scientific achievement, an award for mentoring young addictions scientists, the Joseph Cochin Award for early career contributions, and the Michael Morrison Award for service to the profession, all from CPDD.

The Institute is affiliated with several large research and knowledge-application efforts of national prominence. These include a research center grant and a pre- and postdoctoral training grant from NIDA. IDAS also has joined with faculty at Johns Hopkins University to be one of the first collaborating centers of NIDA’s Clinical Trials Network. This network of community-based treatment programs linked to regional universities conducts research on the effectiveness and feasibility of new science-based treatments for addictions. VCU hosts the Virginia Health Practitioners Monitoring Program for assessment, treatment planning, referral and monitoring of impaired health practitioners in the commonwealth. Finally, the Institute is home to the Virginia Youth Tobacco Projects, a statewide research effort addressing the causes and prevention of youth tobacco use, and it actively collaborates with the Mid-Atlantic Addictions Technology Transfer Center, also located at VCU.

IDAS has strong ties to other institutes and centers at VCU, including the Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, the Institute for Women’s Health and the Massey Cancer Center. You can learn more about the Institute at our website: www.vcu.edu/idas.

THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

The Office of International Education at VCU comprises six units and serves the needs of international students and scholars as well as students who desire an educational experience abroad. OIE provides immigration, international admissions and recruitment services, English language programs, study abroad opportunities and international student and scholar services. Most importantly for you as a Humphrey Fellow, OIE coordinates your housing while at VCU.Please Note: Immigration advising for Humphrey Fellows is done directly through IIE and the Humphrey Fellowship Program, not through VCU’s Office of International Education.

OFFICE SPACE

We will provide office space for you in Old City Hall, a beautiful and historic building located on Capitol Square and just across the street from the VCU Health Sciences campus. It is very close to most classes and meetings you will need to attend, and it is on the bus line. Office furniture and equipment (including shared photocopier, telephones and fax machine) will be provided at no cost. The Humphrey Fellowship suite includes your office, which you will typically share with another Humphrey Fellow, a conference/meeting room, and offices for the Academic Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator.

E-MAIL AND COMPUTERS

You will be provided with free e-mail and internet access at VCU. Your office will include a PC for your individual use that is connected to a shared laser printer. If you already have a good quality laptop, you should consider bringing it with you.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS

Before a Fellow can apply for a social security number, he/she has to be validated in the SEVIS system. It takes ten days after a Fellow is validated in SEVIS system before the Social Security Administration can issue the number.

Therefore, IIE asks that within 10 days of the Fellows arrival, you obtain copies of the following documents and send them to IIE:

1) DS2019 Form
2) I-94
3) U.S. visa
4) First pages of the Fellow's passport

We also need to receive the Fellows' current street addresses in the U.S., even if they are temporary.

As soon as IIE receives these documents, they will validate the Fellows in SEVIS. We will then provide a Sponsors' letters for each Fellow for him/her to apply for the Social Security Number. By the time these are prepared and sent to you, you should be validated in SEVIS and the Social Security Administration should be able to access that validation in order to provide the Fellow a number.If you are assigned to attend pre-academic training, we encourage you to obtain your SSN during this time. It will help things go more smoothly after your arrival at VCU. Otherwise, we will help arrange transportation for you to obtain your SSN from the Social Security Administration Office located at

:4212 Park Pl Ct                                   OR                   13551 Waterford Place
Glen Allen, VA 23060                                             Midlothian, VA 23112
(804) 934-4570‎                                                            (804) 744-0227
(804) 673-7555‎

HEALTHCARE

Health Insurance: As you know, you will receive accident and sickness coverage through the Humphrey Fellowship Program. However, this will not cover pre-existing conditions. Given this, if you do have any pre-existing medical conditions that may require treatment while you are in the U.S., we strongly encourage you to keep your current insurance if that option is available to you. The Humphrey accident and sickness coverage requires a co-payment for each insured health care incident. This year the co-pay was $15 for office visits, urgent care or hospitalization. All insurance claims must be handled by each Fellow with assistance by the Humphrey staff if problems arise. Please note that the accident and sickness coverage provided through the Humphrey Fellowship Program provides minimal coverage. Previous Fellows have suggested that you should consider getting supplemental health insurance, but you should do so at your own discretion. As a registered, full-time Fellow at VCU, you will have access to the university health clinic which provides limited no cost health care within the clinic’s capacity. This does not include prescriptions or visits to specialists. Also, be mindful that VCU’s Student Health Clinics do not accept insurance; services provided there will be billed to you directly. Again, you will be required to have health insurance for any family members you bring to Richmond—this will be at your expense. Healthcare in the United States is very expensive, and neither VCU nor IIE will cover the cost of healthcare for your dependents in the U.S. Prescription Medications: If you are currently taking any prescription medications, if possible, please bring an adequate supply with you. Also bring copies of prescriptions or information regarding dosage in case you need to obtain an additional supply while you are in Richmond—an original prescription written in English by your physician would be best. In addition, since the Humphrey Program accident and sickness coverage will not cover dental services, try to have all necessary dental work done before you leave for the United States.Immunizations: The Code of Virginia (Section 23-7.5) requires all full-time students to provide documentation (English translations please) of their immunizations. Proof of the following is required:


          1 tetanus given within the past 10 years
          1 meningococcal meningitis vaccine or signed waiver
          3 hepatitis B or signed waiver
          2 measles
          2 mumps
          2 rubella

Please send your immunization records English translations please) to Jeannine Uzel, the Immunization Coordinator for VCU Student Health PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL and bring a copy with you, also. Her address is:

Jeannine Uzel
VCU Student Health Services
PO Box 842022
Richmond, VA 23284-2022
Fax (804) 828-1093
USHS-Immuniz@vcu.edu

Ms. Uzel will review the records and let us know what is missing. We will arrange for group clinics to Patient First (a local clinic) once you have arrived in Richmond to provide any immunizations you are missing. Patient First clinics will accept your health insurance for adult immunizations.Please Note. All Fellows will be given a tuberculin skin test at VCU. One exception is if you have documented proof of a definite positive reaction previously. In the case that you test positive, you will be sent directly for a chest x-ray, which must be done here at VCU. Having been vaccinated with BCG does not make any difference. You will be responsible for the cost of the test as well as the chest x-ray if in fact you test positive. Your insurance will not cover these costs if you are showing no symptoms at the time of diagnosis. An x-ray can cost upwards of $150.00-$200.00.Any Fellow who will have patient contact will have additional immunization requirements.If you have not already had any of the required vaccinations before you arrive in the U.S., you will be responsible for the costs to have them done here. We strongly urge you to have all necessary vaccinations administered prior to your arrival.

FOOD AND DIETARY RESTRICTIONS

Please complete the form (attached) describing any dietary restrictions you have and e-mail it to jrkoch@vcu.edu. We will use this information when we plan any group meals. Richmond offers many diverse restaurants and food markets including, Asian, Latin and South American, African and Middle Eastern. Dietary requirements, such as a Halal and vegetarian diets can also be accommodated here.

TRANSPORTATION

As a medium size city, Richmond does not have the same highly developed mass transit system available in many of our larger cities such as Washington, DC and New York City. However, it is also free of most of the traffic congestion common in larger cities and many of the places you will need to travel to are conveniently located.

Richmond does have a public bus system that will take you to most places in the Richmond metropolitan area, and as a VCU student you are entitled to free public bus service. The city bus can also be used to take you to the MCV campus, stopping approximately 4 blocks from your office at Old City Hall. In addition, there is a free campus bus system that will take you to several different locations on both campuses.

The VCU campuses and your office are also located a short bus ride away from several state and local agencies where you are likely to have meetings and where you may choose to do your Professional Affiliation as well as many restaurants, nightclubs historical sites and art galleries. You will also find that there are numerous recreational, athletic and cultural resources on both campuses, typically free or at minimal cost, that are easily accessible by the VCU bus system or within easy walking distance.

The greatest transportation challenge you are likely to have is traveling to low cost shopping areas. Most shopping malls and discount stores are located outside the city center, and while it may be more convenient for you to shop on weekends, bus service to these areas is very limited at this time. While we will coordinate some shopping trips, you will need to consider these things when planning other shopping outings.

Previous Fellows have recommended that you strongly consider purchasing a car for use during your Fellowship. They found that this greatly increased their ability to take advantage of the various professional, cultural and recreational resources within the greater Richmond metropolitan area. To keep the cost low, an alternative is to jointly purchase a car with one or two other Fellows. This was done by three of the 2008-09 Fellows who found this to work very well.

If you can obtain an international driver’s license before coming to the United States, you may find this to be very helpful. This will allow you to rent a car or be an occasional driver during your stay in the U.S. If you plan to buy a car while you are in the U.S., you should bring with you papers documenting your driving record and insurance, translated into English, as these documents may enable you to purchase car insurance more inexpensively.

BANKING/CREDIT CARDS

It is recommended that you arrive with a Visa or MasterCard attached to your bank account back home. If you are not able to obtain a credit card before coming to the U.S., be sure to bring a current bank statement, translated into English, so that you can obtain a card a little more easily once you are here.

Shortly after your arrival, we will help you set up a bank account. A representative from Wachovia Bank (a reputable, national bank found all over the country) will come to give you an overview about banking in the U.S. as well as the services available and offer advice on which services will best meet your needs. Wachovia Bank offers a checking account, called Crown Banking which our past fellows have found useful. The advantages of that account are listed below but can be reviewed in greater detail at www.wachovia.com. We encourage you to read over all banking information carefully.

Free Premium Savings or money market account
Free Crown checks
Free safe deposit box
Two free withdrawals at non-Wachovia ATMs
Free Overdraft Protection transfers
Free domestic incoming wires
Free cashier's checks, money orders, traveler's checks and notary services
Interest-earning checking account with interest compounded daily
Discounts on home equity line/loans
Add Way2Save® to Crown Banking®—we pay you a bonus to save

Of course, there are several options for banking and you are not limited to choosing the one that we present. Wachovia is a national bank with a longstanding relationship with the University. You are certainly welcome to investigate other banking options including the following:

CELL PHONES AND COMMUNICATING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Since we must be able to get in touch with you during an emergency, we require that all Fellows have a functioning cell phone with voice mail. We will have cell phone representatives available during orientation to provide information on the most affordable and efficient plans.

If you are interested in investigating some available options ahead of time, here are some options:

AT&T
T-Mobile (Former Fellows have commented that this is a good option)
Sprint

Previous Fellows have found it easier to use their cell phone plan for calls within the U.S. and to use Skype for their international communications.

If you are not familiar with Skype, it is software that allows users to make telephone calls over the Internet. Calls to other users of the service and to certain other numbers are free, while calls to other landlines and mobile phones can be made for a small fee. Additional features include instant messaging, file transfer and video conferencing. You may find it helpful to set up a Skype account prior to leaving home so that you can contact your family when you first arrive. However, Skype is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and cannot be used for emergency calling. It should be used in addition to a cell phone account you have purchased. You can download the software for free at www.Skype.com

EXTRACURRICULAR INTEREST SURVEY

Although you will be very busy with your professional development activities, we recognize that you will want to continue to pursue your individual hobbies and other recreational activities or perhaps explore some new interests. Fortunately, VCU and the Richmond community have the resources available to meet almost any interest. To help us begin to identify what resources will be of particular interest to you, please complete the short Extracurricular Interest Form attached to this document and e-mail it to jrkoch@vcu.edu.

We think you’ll find that there are many recreational and cultural activities at VCU and the greater Richmond community. These include sporting events, ethnic festivals, art museums and galleries, dance, music and much more. We will organize several recreational and cultural events during your time in Richmond, but the best way to take advantage of what the community has to offer is to be adventurous! Get out and explore! When you do, you’ll make new friends, learn more about our culture and have opportunities to share your culture with others. To help you get started, below are a couple of web sites that you’ll want to check on a regular basis to see what is going on in Richmond and at VCU.

www.usca.vcu.edu/
www.styleweekly.com(see “Arts and Culture” and “Calendar”)

WEATHER

The weather in Richmond during the summer (June to September), when you will be arriving, is hot and humid. During early fall, (October to November), daily high temperatures will be much cooler. In the winter, (December to March), temperatures are colder, but still relatively mild. Snowfall is infrequent and rarely amounts to more than a couple of inches. When it does snow, it usually melts away within a day or two.

Richmond, VA average temperatures (in degrees Fahrenheit) and precipitation is presented below.

	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEPT	OCT	NOV	DEC
Max. Temp	45.3	49.3	58.4	68.9	76.2	83.6	87.5	85.7	79.7	69.3	59.7	49.7
Avg. Temp	36.4	39.5	47.7	57.1	65.4	73.5	77.9	76.3	69.8	58.3	49.0	40.4
Min. Temp	27.6	29.7	37.0	45.3	54.6	63.3	68.3	66.8	59.9	47.2	38.4	31.1
Rain (inches)	3.55	2.98	4.09	3.18	3.96	3.54	4.67	4.18	3.98	3.60	3.06	3.12

Source: http://www.hellorichmond.com/Weather.Cfm

DRESS

When packing clothing, you should consider preparing for all types of weather during the program year. Light clothing is recommended for your arrival, as August can be very warm in Richmond. For winter you will need a warm coat, hat, scarf and gloves. It is possible to purchase all types of clothing in Richmond after you arrive, but they may be less expensive in your home country.

Dress for classes at the university is generally casual. Jeans, skirts, shorts and athletic shoes (sneakers) are acceptable. Professional dress will be essential for meetings off campus, formal events, conferences and Professional Affiliations. This can include suits/sport coats and ties for men, and skirt suits, pant suits and dresses for women. Both dress and causal shoes are needed and should be comfortable for a lot of walking. You may also want to bring clothing that is specific to any sports or hobbies in which you participate.

There will be opportunities during your Fellowship to wear clothing currently or historically typical for your country. You are welcome to bring these with you (see below).

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

As you know, your Humphrey Fellowship will include a combination of professional, academic, and cultural activities. To fully participate in these activities and to ensure that your experiences here are as relevant as possible to the work you will do when you return home, we suggest that you consider bringing the following with you:

Information about the healthcare system in your home country, particularly focusing on substance abuse and/or HIV/AIDS, with specific information about a problem or program that will be the focus of your work as a Humphrey Fellow. During the course of the Humphrey Fellows seminar, you will be required to make a presentation on this topic. The information you bring should include data on the epidemiology of some aspect of substance abuse and/or HIV/AIDS and information related to your country’s programs and policies that address this problem. The format of the information you bring could include summary data you have assembled, government and academic reports, PowerPoint slide presentations you have prepared, etc.
Any data files that you may want to work on while you are here. You will have access to excellent computer facilities, statistical software, and consultation to help you to analyze your data.
National dress and handicrafts, recipes, and other items native to your country. There are many cultural fairs and other activities that will provide you with opportunities to share your culture with others. You may also want to bring photographs, slides, and DVDs that will help you share your native culture. One of the social-cultural activities we have is “movie night” in which each Fellow shows a DVD from their home country. The movie may be a documentary, a comedy, drama or anything that you think will provide your colleagues with greater insight into your culture.
You will be traveling to many new places and making lots of friends. Previous Fellows have found it very rewarding to have a small digital camera to record their Fellowship experiences.

ATTACHMENTS/FORMS

Summary of Major Program Requirements
Humphrey Fellowship Professional Interest Inventory
Extracurricular Interests Form
Dietary Restrictions
Arrival Information Form

VCU Humphrey Program
Summary of Major Program Requirements

Requirement	Contact Person(s)	Due Date

Submit copies of processed DS-2019 Form, J-1 Visa, I-94 form and passport-face page and current address	Crystal Thomas	August 20

Presentation on home country for Humphrey Seminar	Alison Breland	mid-Sept

Submit initial Individual Program Plan (IPP)	Bob Balster Randy Koch	Oct 1

Attend Global Leadership Forum in Washington, DC	Crystal Thomas	Nov

Submit very brief PowerPoint summary of idea for final project	Alison Breland	Dec 8

Complete web-based human subjects training and submit certificate (participation in a human research study may require that this be completed earlier)	Alison Breland Randy Koch	Dec 1

Submit ITIN or SSN	Crystal Thomas	Dec

Update Individual Program Plan (IPP)	Randy Koch Bob Balster	Dec 15

Submit abstract for NIDA International Forum	Randy Koch Bob Balster	Jan 15 or Feb 15

Update Individual Program Plan (IPP)	Randy Koch Bob Balster	March 1

Last date to submit requests for computer-subsidy reimbursement	Crystal Thomas	March

Submit draft Humphrey Seminar Project (PowerPoint)	Alison Breland	March 15

Deadline for submitting Professional Affiliation Proposal	Bob Balster Randy Koch	To be Determined

Submit Grant Tax forms	Crystal Thomas	March 31

Attend training on poster presentations	Crystal Thomas/ Stephanie Hart	March

Present Humphrey Seminar Project	Alison Breland	April

Attend VCU Humphrey Fellowship Graduation	Crystal Thomas	April

Deadline for extension requests	Crystal Thomas	May

Attend IIE Year-End Retreat	Crystal Thomas	May

Submit Year-End Evaluation Forms to IIE	Crystal Thomas	May/June

Submit Year-end Report/Final IPP	Randy Koch Bob Balster	June 10

Update contact information in home country	Crystal Thomas	June

Attend NIDA International Forum and CPDD in Hollywood, Florida	Crystal Thomas	June 16-23

Humphrey Fellowship Professional Interest Inventory

Name: _____________________________________

This form has three columns. In the first column, several types of professional interests (grouped into several different categories) are listed that you may want to pursue during your Humphrey Fellowship. In the second column, under “Major Areas of Interest,” please place an “X” beside each professional interest you would like to pursue during your Humphrey Fellowship. In the third column, under “Most Important,” place an “X” to indicate the one professional interest in each group that you most want to work on. We will use this information, in part, to identify a mentor for you who has similar interests.

Major Areas of Interest Most Important
(select only one)

Focus Area

Substance Abuse Prevention ____ ____
Substance Abuse Treatment ____ ____
Substance Abuse Policy ____ ____
Basic Science of Addiction ____ ____
Epidemiology of Substance Use/Abuse ____ ____

Strategies

Direct Service Delivery/Clinical Services ____ ____
Research ____ ____
Policy Development and Planning ____ ____
Program Development/Evaluation ____ ____
Program Management/Administration ____ ____

Special Populations

Adults ____ ____
Adolescents ____ ____
Persons with HIV/AIDS ____ ____
Persons with co-occurring disorders ____ ____
Women ____ ____
Criminal Justice ____ ____
Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender ____ ____
Other: __________________ ____ ____

Drugs

Nicotine (tobacco) ____ ____
Alcohol ____ ____
Cannabis (marijuana) ____ ____
Opiates ____ ____
Amphetamines ____ ____
Hallucinogens ____ ____
Cocaine ____ ____
Prescriptions Drugs ____ ____
Other:_________________ _ ____

Please list any other particular professional interests you would like to focus on during your Humphrey Fellowship:

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

VCU Humphrey Fellowship Program
Extracurricular Interests Form

Please list all of your current recreational interests (hobbies, athletics, art, music, swimming, ballroom dancing, etc.) that you would like to continue to participate in during your stay in the United States.

1.___________________________________________________________________________

2.___________________________________________________________________________

3.___________________________________________________________________________

4.___________________________________________________________________________

5.___________________________________________________________________________

Please list any new recreational interests (hobbies, athletics, art, music, swimming, ballroom dancing, etc.) that you would like to try during stay in the United States.

4.___________________________________________________________________________

5.___________________________________________________________________________

Thank you very much!

VCU Humphrey Fellowship Program
Dietary Restrictions Form

Please describe any dietary restrictions you may have. In particular, indicate if you area a vegetarian or vegan.

Vegetarian: ____

Vegan:____

Other Dietary Restrictions:

___________________________________________________

HUMPHREY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
INSTITUTE FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL STUDIES
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
P. O. Box 980344
Richmond, VA 23219

TRANSPORTATION FROM RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Richmond International Airport is located eight (8) miles from the city.

For additional information, please contact:

Crystal Thomas
Assistant Coordinator, VCU Humphrey Fellowship Program
Virginia Commonwealth University
PO Box 980344
Phone: (804) 828-7819, Cell: (804) 356-4519, Fax: (804) 828-9091
cathomas@vcu.edu

It is important that you fax or e-mail Crystal by August 6, 2010. If we do not receive your information by this time, we cannot guarantee your pick-up. Please e-mail all of the following information or complete the form below and return as soon as it is available.

AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION FORM
(For use at Richmond International Airport only)

This form should be returned to the Crystal Thomas: fax (804) 828-9091 or e-mail cathomas@vcu.edu

NAME:

DATE I WILL ARRIVE: __________________ TIME: ____________ AM___PM___

NAME OF AIRLINE: ___________________________ FLIGHT NO.______________

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR APPEARANCE (or attach a recent photograph):

________

______

* If there is a change/delay in your flight schedule or you miss a connecting flight, please call Crystal Thomas at (804) 828-7819 or (804) 356-4519. Crystal will be coordinating your pick-up at the airport.