Cogan hit the ground running as 'Bailey AIDS Policy' fellow

When Jeanine C. Cogan, PhD, became this year's William A. Bailey AIDS Policy Congress-ional Fellow, she interviewed almost a dozen congressional offices in search of the perfect position. Her last interview was at Rep. Diana DeGette's (D-Colo.) office, and the experience was so positive she accepted on the spot. Since then, she's done everything from answer mail to write a bill that would protect psychiatric patients from inappropriate restraint.

"When I interviewed with DeGette's legislative director, she said I would be responsible for my own issues and have direct access to the congresswoman," says Cogan. "I would be able to hit the ground running."

The year-long fellowship gives psychologists interested in HIV/AIDS policy, lesbian and gay issues or related issues an opportunity to learn more about the legislative process and help the government put psychological knowledge to use. APA established the program in tribute to APA staffer Bill Bailey's tireless advocacy for psychological research, training and services related to AIDS. Bailey died of AIDS in 1994.

Functioning as a full-fledged legislative assistant, Cogan monitors gay and lesbian-related legislation and ensures that DeGette co-sponsors bills that reflect her progressive positions. DeGette is co-sponsoring the Employment Nondiscrimination Act and the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, for example.

But a news article about deaths caused by the use of restraints in psychiatric institutions, homes for the mentally retarded and similar institutions has shifted Cogan's interest in a new direction. Working with APA Congressional Fellow David J. Pittenger, PhD, Cogan wrote the Patient Freedom From Restraint Act of 1999 to provide guidelines for appropriate restraint use.

Cogan had a taste of legislative success even before she became the Bailey fellow. For the last two years, she was a fellow in APA's Public Policy Office. Awarded by APA's Div. 9 (Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues), that fellowship helped Cogan and other advocates get language into an appropriations bill to force the government to address the issue of problematic eating habits among adolescents.

After earning a doctorate in social psychology from the University of Vermont in 1993, Cogan spent three years working on a National Institute of Mental Health-funded grant examining the mental health consequences of anti-gay hate crimes. Although her future is still hazy, she is now exploring the possibility of think-tank work.

In the meantime, Cogan's working her way through the backlog of constituent mail she must answer. But even that onerous task has taught her a lesson, she says, sifting through the 30 letters on her desk.

"Letters to your legislators really matter," says Cogan. "One person can really have an impact."

--R. Clay



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