From the Public Interest Directorate

• Psychologists Sought to Train HOPE
• The APA Women's Programs Office at Convention, August 2002, Chicago, Illinois
• New Online from the APA Women's Programs Office
• Call for Nominations to the Committee on Women in Psychology
• Call for Nominations to the Committee on Aging

Psychologists Sought to Train HOPE

The American Psychological Association’s (APA) HIV Office for Psychology Education (HOPE) Program is currently recruiting psychologists from across the country to become Regional HIV/AIDS Continuing Education Trainers. Doctoral level Psychologists with HIV-related clinical work, research, and training experience are encouraged to join an established faculty of trainers sponsored by the APA.

Established in 1991 by a three-year contract from the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the APA’s HOPE Program is gearing up for another round of training. Recently, the HOPE Program received an additional three years of funding which will support an update of the HOPE Training Resource Materials, recruitment of additional psychologist trainers, a national Train-the-Trainer Conference (NTC), and the development of a web-based, online continuing professional education program.

Applicants chosen to become HOPE Regional Trainers will receive state-of-the-science training materials developed in collaboration with national experts on HIV/AIDS and the mental health needs of diverse populations living with HIV/AIDS at the HOPE National Training of Trainers Conference in Dallas, Texas, February 27- March 2, 2003. Additionally, those chosen can expect HOPE Program staff to offer timely technical assistance, information updates and help in developing and setting up area trainings.

Because HOPE is nation-wide, Regional Trainers will be part of a collaborative network, and because HOPE is at the APA, trainers can offer CE credits to their program participants. All HOPE asks of its trainers is that they commit themselves to training at least 30 of their colleagues within three years after attending the NTC and completing the new 4 part, 4 hour, HIV online CE training! The APA Office of Continuing Professional Education awards continuing education credits for completion of both the NTC and the online training.

Application to become a HOPE Regional Trainer involves the submission of a curriculum vitae, a completed application form, and a letter describing the applicants HIV-related clinical work, training or lecture presentations, and research.

The HOPE Program has adopted an affirmative action approach to Regional Trainer recruitment. Qualified, doctoral level applicants who reflect the diversity of the AIDS epidemic in terms of gender ethnicity, geographic location, and diverse populations served will receive priority consideration. Application deadline is August 30, 2002.

To request an application or additional information, please contact Christopher Rowe, HOPE Program Training Director at the APA address, by phone at (202) 216-7603, or by email.

The APA Women’s Programs Office at Convention, August 2002, Chicago, Illinois

Thursday, August 22, 5:00 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.
Women’s Policy Issues: How to Advocate on Behalf of Women and Their Families
Chair: Lori Valencia Greene, Senior Legislative and Federal Affairs Officer, APA Public Policy Office
Location: Hilton Chicago Hotel, Conference Room 4M

Saturday, August 24, 10:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Seeking NIMH and NIDA Research Funds: Advice and Counsel
Chair: Lula A. Beatty, PhD
Participants: Mary C. Blehar, PhD; Cheryl A. Boyce, PhD
Location: PI Suite, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel
Space is limited for this event, so please R.S.V.P. by calling (202) 336-6149, or email Stephanie Olmstead-Dean.

Saturday, August 24, 6:00 p.m.
Division 35 Social Hour - CWP Leadership Awards
Presentation of CWP Leadership Award by Meg. A Bond, PhD, Chair, Committee on Women in Psychology
Location: Hilton Chicago Hotel.

New Online from the APA Women’s Programs Office

Proceedings of the October 2000 Summit on Women and Depression www.apa.org/pi/wpo/women&depression.pdf

Women’s Programs Office: Report of 2001 Activities www.apa.org/pi/wpo/wpo2001.html

Committee on Women in Psychology: Report of 2001 Activities www.apa.org/pi/wpo/cwp2001.html

Call for Nominations to the Committee on Women in Psychology

The American Psychological Association’s Committee on Women in Psychology (CWP) is seeking nominations for two new members to begin terms in January 2003. The committee functions as a catalyst by interacting with and making recommendations to the various parts of the APA’s governing structure, the APA’s membership, and the Society for the of Psychology of Women, as well as to other relevant groups. Additionally, the committee collects information and documentation concerning the status of women and develops the means by which the participation of women in roles and functions of the profession could be increased.

Committee members plan, develop, and coordinate various activities regarding the status of women. In addition to its ongoing responsibilities to monitor activities and policy within psychology that relate to women’s issues, CWP’s current strategic initiatives include translating research in women’s health to practice and policy, women as research participants, and increasing women in leadership such as journal editors.

CWP is interested in persons with demonstrated interest and experience in women’s issues to serve a three-year term beginning in January 2003 and ending in December 2005. CWP is committed to ensuring the representation of all constituencies within APA. Therefore, the areas of expertise divided among the members are: academic experience, clinical experience, science experience, and extensive governance experience. Each year, two new members are selected based on their qualifications vis-à-vis the particular slate requirements for that year. CWP places a priority on maintaining representation within the committee’s membership that reflects the diversity of psychology and society (e.g., ethnicity, culture, age, disability, sexual orientation, and geographic location).

For this term’s slate requirements, CWP seeks at least one member active in a nonacademic setting (such as practice, community based, or government, or other public service). To fulfill the committee’s commitment to full diversity in representation, at least one of the slates should be filled by an ethnic minority psychologist. Letters of nomination should clearly describe the candidate’s specific qualifications relative to these criteria. Nominees to CWP must be full members of APA.

Selected candidates will be required to attend two committee meetings a year in Washington, DC, with expenses reimbursed according to APA guidelines for travel and reimbursement. Meeting dates for this membership term are March 28-30, 2003; September 19-21, 2003; March 26-28, 2004; October 1-3, 2004; March 18-20, 2005; and September 23-25, 2005. Committee members also work on CWP priorities between meetings, including regular conference calls. Workload is heaviest in the months immediately before and after meetings. If possible, members attend a CWP meeting at their own expense held during the APA Convention.

Nomination materials should include the nominee’s qualifications, a letter from the nominee indicating willingness to serve on CWP and a current curriculum vita. Self-nominations are also encouraged. APA nominations are open to members who are retired or employed less than full time. Nominations and supporting materials should be sent by September 2, 2002, to Stephanie Olmstead-Dean, APA Women’s Programs Office at the APA address or via email.

Call for Nominations to the Committee on Aging

The American Psychological Association’s Committee on Aging (CONA) is seeking nominations for two new members. CONA is interested in persons with substantive professional specialization in aging issues to serve a three-year term beginning January 2003 and ending December 2005.

The mission of CONA is to advance psychology as a science and profession and as a means of promoting health and human welfare by ensuring that older adults, especially the growing numbers of older women and minorities, receive the attention of the Association. Its goals include:

• provide advocacy for a scientific agenda on aging to policymakers and private and public funding agencies
  

• advocate for policies that enhance the availability and reimbursement of health and mental health services to older adults and their families
  

• contribute to the formulation and support of public policies that promote optimal development of older adults, facilitate psychological practice with older persons, and expand scientific understanding of adult development and aging
  

• promote inclusion of knowledge about adult development and aging in all levels of education, including continuing education, training programs, and professional development of psychologists
  

• develop and disseminate information concerning the scientific findings and practice issues about older adults to psychologists, other professionals, policymakers, and the public
  

• serve as a visible focus for the coordination of information among groups within APA that address aging issues and offer consultation to relevant APA boards, committees, divisions, state associations, and directorates, and
  

• ensure that older members of APA receive the appropriate attention of the association

Selected candidates will be required to attend two committee meetings a year in Washington, DC, with expenses reimbursed by the APA. In 2003, the Committee will meet March 28-30 and September 19-21. Members are also expected to work on Committee priorities between meetings and encouraged to attend a CONA meeting held during the APA Convention at their own expense.

Nomination materials should include the nominee’s qualifications, a letter from the nominee indicating willingness to serve on CONA, and a current curriculum vita. Letters of support from other APA governance groups, APA divisions, state psychological associations and other groups or organizations will also be accepted. Nominations are open to all members including those who are retired or employed less than full time.

Nominations and supporting materials should be sent by August 30th, 2002 to: Deborah DiGilio, Aging Issues Officer, APA Office on Aging at the APA address or via e-mail.