APA's Office of Ethnic and Minority Affairs (OEMA) has received a
three-year, $1.43 million grant renewal for its "Enhancing minority biomedical talent in psychology" project from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). A joint venture of OEMA and NIGMS, the project aims to increase retention and recruitment of ethnic minorities in biomedical research. Instead of funding pre- and postdoctoral programs, OEMA funds departmental activities that expand the educational pipeline in biomedical psychology at the undergraduate level.
Four years ago, NIGMS, a subsidiary of the National Institutes of Health, awarded OEMA $820,000 for the project. OEMA, in turn, distributed the money to 14 universities and colleges across the country. The original NIGMS grant in 1996 had a three-year limit, but was extended until September 2000.
With the new grant the project will help fund new and previously funded activities such as:
A multicultural course for inclusion in Miami Dade Community College curriculum and the promotion of biomedical/psychological research as an important area of study among minority students.
Overall, the project will maintain its goals to demonstrate the effectiveness of a systemic approach for increasing ethnic-minority participation in the educational pipeline for biomedical research careers in psychology. This year will also include regional site visits, extensive project follow-up and regional and institutional Web site development.
Time is running out for renewing your membership dues
Members and Affiliates are urged to send in their 2001 dues/fee payments and journal orders to ensure updated records and to take advantage of the member or student journal credits. Prompt payment also guarantees uninterrupted delivery of the Monitor on Psychology and American Psychologist.
Members who renew on time receive the APA membership card, which offers discounts on a variety of consumer services, as well as eligibility for APA's Insurance Trust programs, receipt of APA newsletters and a variety of other money-saving benefits.
Questions related to dues, fee payments or replacement statements should be directed to APA Membership
at the APA address; (800) 374-2721, (202) 336-5580; TDD: (202) 336-6123; fax: (202) 336-5568; e-mail: Membership
Nominees sought for APA boards and committees
Take a more active role in your association by nominating your colleagues--or yourself--to serve on one of APA's many boards and committees. APA seeks nominations for the following groups:
Committee on Rural Health
Send nominations to the APA Election Committee at the APA address by Feb. 1. Nominations are forwarded to the appropriate board or committee as they develop their nomination slates, which are submitted to the Board of Directors Subcommittee on Nominations. APA's Board of Directors grants final approval and determines the composition of all board and committee election slates. Nominees selected through this process will appear on the 2001 board/committee ballot, which will be mailed on Oct. 31 to all members of the 2001 APA Council of Representatives.
For more information on the election process for boards and committees, contact the director of elections, (202) 336-6087; e-mail: Elections.
Minority Fellowship Program applications due Jan. 15
APA's Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) is still accepting applications for its Fellowship Programs, which aim to increase the knowledge of ethnic-minority mental health. Fellowships will be awarded in areas such as mental health and substance abuse services, mental health, HIV/AIDS research and neuroscience.
Eligible applicants must be American citizens or permanent residents; enrolled full-time in a doctoral program at the time the fellowship is awarded; and must demonstrate a commitment to a career in psychology or neuroscience related to ethnic-minority mental health.
Applications are available through Jan. 15 at www.apa.org/mpf, by e-mailing MFP or by writing APA/MFP Fellowship at the APA address.
CE Winter Weekend announces keynote speaker
Florence Kaslow, PhD, of the Florida Couples and Family Institute will give the keynote address on family systems and legal issues during APA's third annual CE Winter Weekend, Feb. 8-11, in New Orleans. The event is sponsored by APA's Office of Continuing Professional Education and the Continuing Professional Education Committee, with collaboration from Div. 29 (Psychotherapy).
The program, "Families across the life span: Update on practice issues," will also feature other prominent speakers who will present sessions on significant family practice issues that will include topics on children; aging; families in transition; gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals in families; and grief and end-of-life issues. The closing session will provide an opportunity for case consultation with the speakers using cases submitted by participants.
For program and registration information, see the ad on page 81 or contact Amanda Marcotte, (202) 336-5994.
APA invites graduate student applications for 2001-02 Public Interest Policy internships
APA is accepting applications for its 2001-02 Public Interest Policy Internship Program. The internship provides psychology graduate students with an understanding of how psychological research can inform public policy and the roles psychologists can play in its development. The one or two interns selected will work on public interest policy issues in APA's Public Policy Office in Washington, D.C., which helps formulate and implement APA positions on major federal policy initiatives in the areas of public interest, education and science.
Beginning next September, the intern will work for 12 months on a broad range of public interest concerns involving children, youth and families; women; lesbian, gay and bisexual persons; aging; ethnic minorities; AIDS; disabilities; media; and crime and violence. Activities involve participating in legislative and advocacy work, assisting in the preparation of testimony and briefing materials and attending coalition meetings.
Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program in psychology or a related discipline, in at least the third year of graduate training, and be able to work 20 hours per week. The internship provides a stipend of $13.50 per hour.
Interested students are required to submit the following materials by March 15: a detailed résumé providing information about educational background and relevant professional, public policy and/or legislative experience; a statement of 500 words or fewer expressing the applicant's interest in the internship and what the applicant hopes to learn from the experience; and two letters of reference, including one from the department indicating the applicant is enrolled and in good standing with the institution. Submit the application to: APA Public Policy Office/Internship Program at the APA address. Direct inquiries to Deborah Cotter at (202) 336-5668.
Science Directorate accepting proposals for occupational health psychology curriculum
APA's Science Directorate is accepting applications from universities interested in developing curricula in the area of occupational health psychology (OHP) for the 200102 academic year. New awards are expected to be $18,000 to $22,000. Currently funded sites may submit new proposals soliciting limited funds to continue their programs for a second year. However, second-year grant awards will depend on the quality and feasibility of the proposal. Completed applications must be received by March 1. APA's Science Directorate administers and oversees the grants. Applications can be found at
www.apa.org/science/ohp/application.htm.
Volunteer to spread the good word about APA benefits
APA seeks university and college faculty members who will volunteer to disseminate information about APA membership, as well as APA books, journals and other products and services on their campuses.
For information, contact Mia Yi, Membership Development, at the APA address, (800) 374-2721, ext. 5610; TDD: (202) 336-6123; fax: (202) 216-7628.
New APA listserv is a forum for CE issues
In his June column, APA President Pat DeLeon, PhD, JD, wrote about the increasing importance of Continuing Professional Education for the profession of psychology and invited APA members to join a new APA forum for discussion of CE issues.
As part of this initiative, the APA Office of Continuing Professional Education administers the CEPsych listserv, which is open to anyone interested in discussing lifelong learning issues in psychology. To subscribe, send an e-mail
to Listserv. Leave the subject line blank and type subscribe CEPsych followed by your first and last name in the body of the message.
Interested in the APA Presidency?
Members who are interested in being nominated to be the APA President-elect in 2001 are invited to speak to the Council of Representatives on Saturday, Feb. 24, in Washington, D.C. The nominations ballot will be mailed to all voting members on Feb. 1, with a 45-day balloting period. Members are responsible for their own transportation and lodging costs. For more information, you may contact the Governance Affairs Office at (202) 336-6087.
--D. SMITH
