2003 Annual Reports for Boards and Committees

AD HOC COMMITTEE ON PSYCHOLOGY AND AIDS (COPA) ANNUAL REPORT 2003

2003 Committee Members:
Richard Jenkins, Ph.D. (Chair)
Dena Gray
Bianca Guzman, Ph.D.
Karen Ingersoll, Ph.D.
Maureen Lyons, Ph.D.
David Martin, Ph..D.
Mary Jane Rotheram, Ph.D.
Staff Liaison: John Anderson, Ph.D.

The overall mission of the Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology and AIDS (COPA) is to guide the development and implementation of the American Psychological Association’s organizational response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. More specific objectives of COPA are: (1) to educate psychologists and society at large on the various and unique roles psychology can contribute to the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic; (2) to encourage and support psychologists in their efforts toward eliminating this epidemic through effective strategies of preventive education and intervention; (3) to stimulate behavioral research in a variety of areas associated with HIV prevention and mental health services for persons affected by HIV/AIDS; (4) to facilitate linkages between APA, behavioral researchers, medical researchers and community-based organizations for the purpose of coordinating and improving HIV-related research and mental health services; (5) to create educational resources about HIV/AIDS to APA members and the public; (6) to provide guidance and direction for APA HIV/AIDS advocacy activities at federal, state and local levels; and, (7) to serve as an oversight committee for APA Office an AIDS activities.

During 2003, COPA conducted monthly, one-hour conference calls to discuss the committee’s activities. Members of COPA held a face-to-face meeting on May 30-June 1, 2003. In addition, members of COPA regularly communicate with each other via e-mails and additional phone calls in order to make progress on the committee’s various initiatives.

1. Provide Direction and Oversight for Policy and Advocacy Activities Related to HIV/AIDS: COPA members held periodic meetings with Public Policy Office (PPO) staff to receive updates on important legislative issues. COPA members have also provided written and oral feedback to the staff of PPO on policy initiatives associated with HIV/AIDS.

2. Advise APA Staff and Establish Liaisons with Governance Groups and Organizations Outside of APA Regarding HIV/AIDS Issues:

COPA established liaisons with a variety of government agencies and COPA routinely provides recommendations to those liaisons regarding HIV/AIDS issues. Additionally, COPA has provided feedback and input on resolutions and initiatives formulated by APA boards and committees. COPA has also provided feedback to Office on AIDS staff regarding the effective development and management of federally-funded training and technical assistance programs (i.e., the HOPE Program and the BSSV Program) administered through the Office on AIDS. COPA members have also provided technical assistance with respect to the development of the Office on AIDS website. In addition, COPA members have contributed articles to the Office on AIDS newsletter entitled, Psychology and AIDS Exchange, and they have served as guest editors of special editions of the newsletter.

3. Formulate New APA Initiatives and Policies to Meet the Continually Changing Challenges Posed by the Epidemic.

COPA recently developed a policy resolution supporting legal access to sterile syringes as a strategy for HIV prevention and a resolution opposing abstinence-only education for HIV prevention. COPA also has been active in promoting collaborations between researchers and community-based organizations (CBOs) for the purpose of fostering the implementation of evidence-based HIV prevention interventions. COPA members developed an evaluation resources website for CBO’s and psychologists who are implementing science-based HIV programs in their communities.

4. Improve Psychology Education in the Area of HIV/AIDS and Educate Society at-Large About the Roles Psychologists Can Play in the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

COPA members conducted a survey of graduate students entering internship to assess their HIV-related training experiences. To honor and further encourage the contributions of psychologists to HIV/AIDS, COPA initiated leadership awards for distinguished and emerging leaders in the field who have shown excellence in research, practice, policy, or education. Currently, COPA members are developing an additional award to recognize important work by non-psychologists.