A cross-section of sessions at APA’s 2007 Annual Convention will examine psychology’s involvement in policy-making.

In one of these sessions, “Psychology and Federal Policymaking: Opportunities and Challenges Presented by APA Congressional and Executive Branch Fellows,” held Saturday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m., APA’s 2006–07 class of legislative fellows will reflect on their experiences working in Washington, D.C.

The program’s co-directors, Annie Toro, JD, MPH, and Ellen Garrison, PhD, will co-chair the session, which include the following presentations:

• Kathleen Pierce, PhD, of the U.S. Department of Defense, “Bringing Psychological Science to National Security.”

• Matthew Shepherd, PhD, of the office of Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), “Can a Psychologist Be on the Wrong Side of the Aisle? Experiences of an APA Congressional Fellow.”

• Joel Szkrybalo, PhD, of the office of Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), “No Child Psychologist Left Behind: Closing the Gap Between Psychological Science and Education Policy.”

• Susan Walch, PhD, of the office of U.S. Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), “A Tale of Two Cultures: Lessons Learned in Patience and Tolerance for Behavioral Scientists and Policymakers”

• Abyssinia Washington, PhD, of the office of U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), “Urgent Care: Perspectives of a Child Clinician on the Hill.”

Another convention session will focus on “Psychology and Aging Policy: Advocating for America’s Growing Aging Population.” Chaired by Diane Elmore, PhD, of APA’s Public Interest Government Relations Office, and held Friday, Aug. 17, at 9 a.m., the session will feature discussion of successful aging advocacy exemplified in the 2005 White House Conference on Aging, the 2006 reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, and the 2006 midterm elections. Presenters will also explain how psychologists can get involved in aging policy initiatives. The presentations include:

• Donna Rasin-Waters, PhD, of Brooklyn, N.., “Psychologists and Advocacy Concerning the Older Adult Voter.”

• Suzann M. Ogland-Hand, PhD, of Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, “One Psychologist Can Make a Difference.”

• David V. Powers, PhD, of Loyola College, “Psychology Advocacy: Watch One, Do Two, Teach Twenty.”

The discussant will be Michael A. Smyer, PhD, of Boston College.

—APA’s Public Interest Government Relations Office