Candidates for APA President
What role should APA play in enhancing teaching and learning of students at all levels, as well as mechanisms by which APA can improve the overall quality of education in psychology at all levels?
APA's role in education, including current initiatives, grants and conferences, warrants the greatest possible emphasis to convey opportunities (e.g., science and service careers for youth of underrepresented groups) and to disseminate the scope of our work (e.g., to the public at large, scientists in other disciplines). I would expand the development of innovative and engaging Web materials (e.g., http://opl.apa.org) to teach and to be available to teachers, support state associations and divisions to pilot innovative models for teaching, and disseminate more broadly the remarkable materials and resources available from the Education and Public Interest Directorates.
What steps should APA take to increase the portability of licenses from state to state?
We ought to continue to convey how portability will improve patient care and why nonportability rules make little sense in a world where effective treatments traverse state lines (e.g., telehealth, Web-based treatments, emergency response to disasters). My experience with health professionals and state legislators and my work with and administrative responsibilities for inpatient and outpatient populations will augment my ability to lobby for, partner with and be on call to serve state associations and patient advocate groups to make the case. Our key arguments: improved patient care and access to care, and restriction of our trade (please see www.votekazdinapa.yale.edu).
