APA's Ethnic Minority Office to help develop school violence prevention software
APA's Office of Ethnic Minority Affairs (OEMA) has signed on as project coordinator of "Violence: It's Everybody's Business," an interactive multimedia project on school violence prevention sponsored by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS).
The software will cover diverse issues, such as understanding alternatives and consequences of violent behavior, increased parent-child communication and the involvement of the entire community. The project seeks to promote a community approach to school violence prevention. Companion manuals and curricular units will be developed for use by parents and teachers. The project is geared toward ethnic minority children (K12), parents and teachers in all communities.
"We want to encourage children and adults to tap into their community and cultural strengths and use them to promote children's resilience and resistance to violence and community norms that support violence prevention," says Bertha Holliday, PhD, OEMA's director.
The project will create 10,000 copies of the software to be distributed to at least 7,500 public schools across the country. Focus groups and experts from science, education and the community will collaborate to ensure that the software meets the cultural and developmental needs of its intended audiences.
APA is one of eight institutions and corporations that received a contract from CMHS to develop software content and technical assistance for the multimedia project. As project coordinator, OEMA will coordinate the
project goals, assist in the
development of software content,
collaborate on cultural, developmental and technical issues, and establish a panel of national stakeholders who will direct the software to various schools.
To learn more about CMHS school violence prevention efforts, contact Harriet G. McCombs, PhD, project officer at hmccombs@samhsa.gov; to learn more about OEMA's involvement in the software project, contact Helen K. Scott; fax: (202) 336-6040.
Council selects candidates to run for APA's Board
APA's 1999 Council of Representatives has nominated six of its members to appear on the 2000 Board of Directors election ballot. The six finalists have been presented to the Election Committee and the committee has reviewed, accepted and certified the results of the election. They are:
| Nominees |
Votes |
| Charles L. Brewer, PhD |
57 |
| Tommy T. Stigall, PhD |
52 |
| Katherine C. Nordal, PhD |
50 |
| Stephen T. DeMers, EdD |
47 |
| Phillip S. Pierce, PhD |
37 |
| Stephen A. Ragusea, PsyD |
36 |
APA mailed the ballot to council members on April 17, and the election closed on May 17. The auditing firm of Johnson Lambert and Company has tallied the results and notified
the nominees to determine their willingness to serve if elected. The final ballot to elect the two new members-at-large were mailed to members of the 1999 Council on July 3.
APA hires new staff member to head Healthy Adolescents Project
Hal Lipton, MSW, has stepped in as the new Project Manager of APA's Healthy Adolescents Project (HAP) and the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) project. HAP is an APA initiative created to promote adolescent health activities within the association and educate other professionals about adolescent psychology. The EMSC program, part of an APA contract with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, examines the mental health needs of children who require emergency medical care.
For HAP, APA is writing a document on adolescent development for parents as well as professionals, including lawyers, nurses, doctors and school administrators.
"So much has been written about abnormal behavior in adolescents that a guideline on 'normal and healthy' adaptations to physical, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual influences on adolescents is needed," says Lipton.
APA is also collaborating with Partners in Program Planning for Adolescent Health (PIPPAH) to produce a monograph on normal adolescent development. The PIPPAH partners include APA, the American Medical Association, the American Bar Association Center
on Children and the Law, and other organizations.
Lipton will also work as project manager on two APA/EMSC contracts. The first project involves publishing a summary of a consensus conference held at APA about the mental health issues of children and their families during medical emergencies. The second project involves producing a bibliography on the services needed to assist prehospital and emergency department staff in dealing with traumatic events involving children.
CE committee seeks nominations
APA's Continuing Professional Education Committee anticipates five vacancies beginning in January. The new members will serve three-year terms beginning January 2001 and ending December 2003. Members
are required to attend two committee meetings each year in Washington, D.C., with travel and housing
expenses reimbursed by APA. Members work on committee projects between meetings and are encouraged to attend APA's Annual Convention each year. APA does not reimburse travel and housing expenses for the convention.
As defined in APA's Association Rules, the committee develops policy and program recommendations for the association's continuing professional education (CE) program, working collaboratively with the Office of Continuing Professional Education. The committee's tasks include:
• Developing and delivering CE programs and products.
• Providing educational and technical assistance to APA directorates, divisions, state associations and other sponsors.
• Collaborating with organizations that want to become approved CE sponsors.
• Providing review of all sponsors and organizations seeking APA sponsor approval.
• Identifying, promoting, implementing and evaluating research, development and innovations in CE.
The committee seeks to assemble a diverse group of psychologists who can represent the practice community and APA divisions. It encourages nominations from individuals with knowledge of or background in children, schools, health, multicultural interests and technology issues.
The deadline for submissions is Sept. 1. To nominate an individual, please submit the nominee's curriculum vitae and a letter stating the
nominee's interest in serving. Self-nominations are encouraged. Send materials to Karen Kanefield, CPE Office, at the APA address, (202) 336-5988..
Commission to consider petition for proficiency recognition
APA's Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology (CRSPPP) has received
a petition to recognize psychopharmacology as a proficiency.
This petition results from the combined efforts of APA Divs. 28 (Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse), 31 (State Psychological Association Affairs), 42 (Independent Practice), 50 (Addictions) and 55 (American Society for the Advancement of Pharmacotherapy). The petition now enters a period of public notice and opportunity for comment.
Copies of the petition will be available on request for review and comment during the two-month period of public notice, which began on June 1. Written comments may be submitted to CRSPPP until Aug. 1.
Upon receipt of comments, CRSPPP will publish an announcement in the Monitor for members to review and respond to the petition and the comments. For more information, contact Martha Braswell, special projects officer, Education Directorate, at the APA address, (202) 336-6140; e-mail.
Nominations sought for Women in Psychology Committee members
APA's Committee on Women in Psychology invites nominations for two new members to begin terms in January 2001. The committee interacts with and makes recommendations to the various parts of the governing structure, membership and Div. 35 (Society for the Psychology of Women) and collects information and documentation on women's status and how their roles and functions in the profession could be expanded.
The new members will serve a three-year term beginning in January 2001 and ending in December 2003. At least one of them should have extensive APA governance experience and one should be a Hispanic/Latina, Asian or Native American psychologist. Letters of nomination should describe the candidate's qualifications relative to these criteria.
Selected candidates will be required to attend two committee meetings a year in Washington, D.C., with expenses reimbursed by the APA. If possible, members attend a committee meeting at their own expense held during APA's Annual Convention.
Nomination materials should include the nominee's qualifications, a letter from the nominee indicating willingness to serve and a current curriculum vitae. Self-nominations are encouraged. APA nominations are open to members who are retired or employed less than full time. Nominations and supporting materials should be sent by Sept. 1 to Susan Houston, Women's Programs Office, at the APA address.
Nominations sought for disability committee members
APA's Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology is seeking nominations for two new members to begin three-year terms on Jan. 1. The committee recommends, influences, develops and advocates on issues, activities and policies related to the equitable treatment of psychologists and others with disabilities.
The mission of the committee is to promote the:
• Psychological welfare of people with disabilities.
• Inclusion of knowledge about disabilities and disability issues in education, training programs and professional development of psychologists.
• Development and implementation of psychological service delivery modes responsive to the needs of people with disabilities.
• Awareness of disability in psychological research as well as research activity in disability areas.
The committee seeks psychologists involved in research or practice on disability issues, and with experience in APA governance. A strong priority will be given to applicants who themselves have a disability (visible, invisible or due to a chronic health condition or injury). The committee welcomes applications from individuals with minority status such as ethnic minority, gay/lesbian/bisexual, or those living with HIV/AIDS.
The candidates selected for membership to the committee will serve for three years and be required to attend two committee meetings a year in Washington, D.C., with expenses reimbursed by APA. Next year, the committee will meet March 2325 and Sept. 2123. APA nominations are open to members who are retired or employed less than full time.
Nomination materials, including a letter from the candidate indicating
a willingness to serve and a current curriculum vitae must be received
by Aug. 24. Please forward materials to Anju Khubchandani, Public Interest Directorate, at the APA address, (202) 336-6038 (v); (202) 336-5662 (TTY); e-mail..
Committee on Children, Youth and Families seeks nominations
APA's Committee on Children, Youth and Families (CYF) anticipates two vacancies in 2001. The committee is particularly interested in candidates who have experience and expertise in adolescence (particularly issues of communication and the media), public-policy advocacy, children and families at multiple risk, educationally based interventions, early intervention and prevention, and resilience issues.
Examples of current initiatives include training psychologists to work in the public sector; psychological implications of disasters; managed care; and immigrant children, youth and families, with specific attention to issues of cultural competence.
The committee places a priority on maintaining representation within the committee's membership that reflects the diversity of psychology and society (e.g., ethnicity, culture, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation and geographic location). APA nominations are open to all members, including those who are retired or employed less than full time.
The candidates selected will serve on the committee for three years and will be required to attend two meetings a year in Washington, D.C., with expenses reimbursed by APA. The committee will meet March 2325 and Sept. 2123, 2001; March 1517 and Sept. 2022, 2002; and March 2830 and Sept. 1921, 2003. The successful candidates are expected to attend at their own expense the informal CYF meeting held during APA's Annual Convention. Members are also expected to work an average of 10 hours per month on CYF-related issues.
Nomination materials should include a curriculum vitae and a letter from the candidate indicating a willingness to serve. All materials must be received by Aug. 21. Candidates may wish to provide letters (not more than three) supporting their nomination. Send materials to CYF Nominations, Public Interest Directorate, at the APA address.
APA urban committee requests nominations
APA's Committee on Urban Initiatives (CUI) is seeking nominations for two new members to begin terms in January 2001. The committee contributes to a greater understanding and amelioration of urban problems; promotes aspects of urban life that enhance individual and societal growth; encourages research, training and practice; and seeks to develop effective public policy related to urban issues.
The committee requests nominations from candidates with interest and experience in urban issues to serve a three-year term beginning in January 2001 and ending in December 2003. The committee seeks one member with expertise in urban work issues and another with expertise in urban education. One of these new members should be an individual with expertise in underserved populations--such as the poor, women, ethnic minorities or immigrant populations--and one of the openings should be filled by an ethnic-minority psychologist. Letters of nomination should describe the candidate's qualifications regarding these criteria.
Committee members are required
to attend two meetings a year in Washington, D.C., with expenses reimbursed by APA. Members will also devote time to CUI activities between meetings. If possible, members attend a CUI network meeting at their own expense held during APA's Annual Convention.
Committee members should be members of APA. Nomination materials should include the nominee's qualifications, a letter from the nominee indicating a willingness to serve and a current curriculum vitae. Self-nominations are encouraged. Nominations are open to members who are retired or employed less than full time. Send nominations and supporting materials by Aug. 15 to Leslie Cameron, Public Interest Directorate, at the APA address.
Committee on Accreditation accepting third-party testimony
APA's Committee on Accreditation (CoA) requests third-party testimony from students, faculty and
consumers on all programs scheduled for a 2001 site visit and periodic review.
Listings of the programs scheduled for review, instructions for provision of third-party comment and deadlines for filing comment can be found on CoA's Web site at www.apa.org/ed/accred.html. This information also is available by contacting APA's Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, at the APA address, (202) 336-5979.
--M. WATERS
