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APA Launches “Resilience
for Kids & Teens”
Reading, writing, arithmetic and ... resilience? Resilience, the
fourth "r," is being added to the lesson plans in schools
throughout the country this fall with the launch of APA’s
“Resilience for Kids & Teens” campaign.
As an integral part of this campaign, APA member psychologists
will have access to materials for use in conducting community outreach
with parents, teachers and youth aimed at helping kids and teens
build their resilience. The campaign materials are contained in
a “toolkit” expected to be available by the end of September.
At that time, members may obtain the “Resilience for Kids
& Teens” campaign materials online at http://www.APApractice.org
and/or by calling toll-free, 1-877-274-8787, ext. 135, and requesting
a toolkit from the APA Campaign Services Bureau.
The “Resilience for Kids & Teens” campaign focuses
on teaching the skills of resilience, or the ability to adapt well
to adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or even significant sources
of stress. The campaign launch includes the distribution of a special
September 19 issue of Time for Kids (TFK) Magazine on the topic
of resilience. The TFK Magazine helps children learn the skills
of resilience using "kid-friendly" language developed
using parents, teachers and child psychologists.
The TFK special issue was created because the APA and TFK found
that teachers were eager for language they could use in classrooms
that would help children deal with the situations they face at school
and at home. The special issue of TFK magazine will be sent to more
than 2 million fourth- through sixth-graders and their teachers.
In addition, APA is offering an online brochure for parents and
teachers who want to help children build resilience, and an online
brochure aimed at teens, to which MTV contributed. Both brochures,
“Resilience for Kids & Teens: A Guide for Parents and
Teachers” and “Resilience for Teens: Got Bounce? will
be available at APA's online help center, http://www.APAHelpCenter.org
starting in mid-September.
The “Resilience for Kids & Teens” campaign is an
outgrowth of APA's successful “Road to Resilience” campaign
that first looked at the skills of resilience shortly after the
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
 
APA Practice Organization
Guide Assists Practitioners with HIPAA Transaction Rule Compliance
The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA) is intended in part to improve the efficiency and effectiveness
of the U.S. healthcare system by encouraging the establishment of
standards and requirements for the electronic transmission of certain
health information. Congress recognized that in order for the electronic
transmission of healthcare information to be well received, it would
have to be accompanied by increased privacy and security protections.
Since HIPAA’s passage in 1996, the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services has promulgated several rules governing HIPAA
implementation. Psychologists need to be aware of three of these
rules in particular –- the Transaction Rule, the Privacy Rule,
and the Security Rule.
Health professionals and other ‘entities’ covered under
the Transaction Rule face an extended compliance deadline of October
16, 2003. To help practicing psychologists understand this Rule,
how it affects their practices, and the steps that can be taken
to ensure compliance, the APA Practice Organization has developed
and disseminated a guide, “Getting Ready for HIPAA: A Psychologist’s
Guide to the Transaction Rule.”
The Guide has been mailed to licensed members of APA who pay the
APA Practice Organization special assessment and is also available
to them for free download at http://www.APApractice.org.
This online resource is a service of the APA Practice Organization
designed for special assessment payers. Information and products
concerning the HIPAA Transaction Rule, as well the Privacy and Security
Rules, are found at the “HIPAA Compliance Center” inside
APApractice.org.
Call for Nominations
APA’s Board of Professional Affairs (BPA) is pleased to
invite nominations for membership on its two committees, the Committee
on Professional Practice and Standards (COPPS) and the Advisory
Committee on Colleague Assistance (ACCA).
In a continuing effort to broaden representation in APA governance,
BPA seeks nominations from a wide variety of sources. Self-nominations
are welcomed.
COPPS is a standing committee to BPA. Its mission includes (1 the
development, review, and evaluation of practice guidelines for providers
of psychological services; (2) providing assistance with BPA to
other APA bodies developing practice guidelines; and (3) monitoring,
evaluating, and developing information regarding the scientific
and professional aspects of psychological services.
While all applicants will be seriously considered, those with experience
in guideline development, forensic psychology, in APA governance,
and those who have a legal background are particularly encouraged
to apply. BPA seeks candidates who will enhance the diversity of
the Committee. Well-developed writing, editorial, and information
research skills are an asset to the Committee.
Participation in COPPS requires a significant annual time commitment
including two meetings in Washington, DC, work on individual projects,
and conference calls. Committee members cannot serve simultaneously
on another APA standing or continuing board committee and no one
can serve consecutive term on a committee unless an exception is
voted by two-thirds of the board.
There are three appointments available on COPPS, with three-year
terms beginning in January 2004.
COPPS will review nomination materials and forward its recommendations
to BPA, which will select new members in the fall of 2003. All completed
applications will be considered. Individuals with experience in
forensic psychology, APA governance, and the legal system are particularly
encouraged to apply. Well-developed writing editorial, and information
research skills are an asset to the Committee. BPA and COPPS seek
candidates who will enhance the diversity of the Committee.
ACCA is an advisory committee to BPA. Its mission includes: (1)
investigating the unique needs of psychologists for colleague assistance;
(2) promoting the development and continuation of state-level colleague
assistance programs and peer assistance networks; and (3) developing
relationships between state ethics committees, boards of examiners,
and colleague assistance programs.
Participation in ACCA requires a significant time commitment including
two meetings per year in Washington, DC, work on individual projects,
and conference calls.
There are two appointments available on ACCA, with three-year terms
beginning in January 2004.
ACCA will review nomination materials and forward its recommendations
to BPA, which will select new members in the fall of 2003. Nominees
are particularly sought with experience working with impaired or
distressed professionals, occupational health programs, forensics
issues, prevention/program development, and/or the effects of delivery
system changes. Nominees who have previously worked with an ethics
committee and/or state-level psychological association are encouraged.
BPA and ACCA seek candidates who will enhance the diversity of the
advisory committee.
The deadline for nominations is September 19, 2003. Please send
nominations, including a 75-word description of qualifications and
a curriculum vitae, to Ernestine Penniman at the APA address. Note
that nominators of other individuals are responsible for ensuring
that these materials are submitted. Electronic submissions are encouraged
and should be sent to Ernestine Penniman.
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