Apply for an APA-sponsored health policy fellowship

APA is seeking a licensed, doctoral-level psychologist with three to five years' experience and an interest in public policy for a one-year APA-sponsored fellowship. The position provides the opportunity to work in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on national policy issues related to psychology, managed care, health-care reimbursement and financing and other health-care policy matters. A stipend of approximately $74,000, commensurate with the fellow's experience, will be available. The fellowship is slated to begin in January 2005.

Applications are due Sept. 17. Candidates should send a curriculum vitae, a writing sample and a letter describing their interest and experience in public policy and public service to Elizabeth A. Cullen, JD, Director of Congressional Affairs, APA Practice Directorate, at the APA address. For more information, call (202) 336-5889.

APA trains undergrads during first-ever stat seminar

Twenty-two college undergraduates from around the country studied psychological research and statistical methods during APA's first-ever seminar for Advanced Statistical Training in Psychology (ASTP), held July 10-18 at the University of Maryland, College Park.

The nine-day, hands-on tutorial targeted rising seniors and recent graduates who plan to attend psychology graduate programs and ultimately pursue research careers. In particular it served students from traditionally underrepresented groups in psychology, such as members of ethnic-minority groups and first-generation college students.

Co-taught by Keith Maddox, PhD, an associate psychology professor at Tufts University, and APA senior scientist Brett Pelham, PhD, an associate psychology professor at the State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, ASTP taught students the skills necessary to analyze and interpret data in psychological research. Mauricio Carvallo of SUNY-Buffalo served as the teaching assistant.

Using computer-assisted statistical packages such as the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), students developed the kind of hands-on skills that most graduate students only acquire late in their graduate training, Pelham noted. For example, the students conducted simple slopes tests to probe statistical interactions in multiple regression.

While regular lectures covered statistical and methodological topics, the seminar also featured discussions on controversial topics such as ESP and recovered memories. Finally, the program included guest lectures and group discussions that focused on professional socialization, including the processes of applying to graduate school and finding a mentor.

Check out new resource guide for graduate students with disabilities

APAGS and APA's Office on Disability Issues have released a new resource guide for psychology graduate students with disabilities. The guide includes:

* An introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

* Strategies for program orientation and preparing for a successful experience.

* A primer on understanding and meeting program requirements.

* Tips on training and professional development.

The guide also lists national resources on disability issues. For a copy, visit www.apa.org/apags or www.apa.org/pi/cdip, or call APAGS at (202) 336-6014; TDD: (202) 336-5662.

Teachers swap teaching techniques, grade AP exams

APA's Education Directorate sponsored a Teaching Exchange at the annual 2004 Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology Reading in June, when collegiate and high school faculty graded approximately 70,000 AP Exams in Psychology.

APA's first-ever exchange, held as a special two-hour evening program during the reading, gave the more than 200 psychology teachers in attendance a chance to enhance their teaching skills by attending 16 presentations by teachers who shared their innovative teaching techniques. Maureen McCarthy, PhD, APA's director of precollege and undergraduate psychology, served as a table leader during the reading and helped to coordinate APA's sponsorship of the event.

The AP psychology exam gives high school students the chance to earn college credit while still in high school. It is designed to introduce students to the facts and principles in each of psychology's major fields.

Apply for funding to host an international psychology meeting

APA's Office of International Affairs seeks applicants for its annual $3,500 fund that provides support to organizations that will host international meetings and conferences attended by psychologists.

Funding applications should include:

* A brief description of the applicant's organization, including its need and mission statement.

* A description of the organization's relationship with APA.

* An overview of the event, including its objectives, activities and preliminary program.

* A description of the structure within the organization that will carry out the event.

* The event's budget, including the portion requested from APA and other funding sources.

* A description of the event's proposed products, such as monographs or CD-ROMs.

Submit applications by March 15, 2005. For application guidelines or more information, contact the Office of International Affairs at the APA address; e-mail: international@apa.org.

Apply for international travel award

The American Psychological Foundation (APF) seeks applicants for the $1,000 David International Travel Award. The award supports a young psychologist--a doctoral candidate or someone with no more than five years' postgraduate experience--who is interested in studying human reproductive behavior or population issues. Made possible by a donation from Henry P. David, PhD, the award will subsidize the winner's travel to an international or regional congress of his or her choice.

The submission deadline is March 15, 2005. For a list of application criteria and an application form, contact the Office of International Affairs at the APA address; (202) 336-6025; fax: (202) 218-3599; e-mail: international@apa.org.

APA seeks practitioners for National Depression Screening Day

Consider participating in the 14th annual National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) on Oct. 7. Co-sponsored by APA, NDSD aims to focus national attention on depression, manic-depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, to screen for the disorders and to connect those in need of treatment with mental health professionals.

APA seeks practitioners to either partner with a hospital or clinic on a screening or to screen their own clients on Oct. 7, or another day in October or November.

NDSD organizers provide tools and education resources for screenings and referrals, as well as sample publicity materials and tips on running a program. The organizers also provide participating psychologists with screening forms containing scoring instructions and referral guidelines, diagnostic aids, a clinician's guide, posters, videos and educational materials for diverse audiences, including older adults and Spanish-speaking clients.

Last year, screenings took place at approximately 7,000 sites nationwide, including hospitals, mental health clinics, colleges, primary-care offices and public settings such as community centers, older adult facilities and supermarkets.

For registration information, contact Screening for Mental Health, the organization that administers NDSD, at (781) 239-0071; e-mail: info@mentalhealthscreening.org; Web site: www.mentalhealthscreening.org.

Comment on documentation of practice guidelines

The Committee on Professional Practice and Standards (COPPS) of APA's Board of Professional Affairs seeks comments on its document "Determination and Documentation of the Need for Practice Guidelines," currently undergoing review as proposed APA policy. In August 2001, the APA Council of Representatives approved as APA policy the document, "Criteria for Practice Guideline Development and Evaluation." The APA Board of Directors then asked for a further expansion of Section 2.2 of the criteria, which indicates that practice guidelines should be written only when there is a clearly demonstrated and documented need.

In response to this request, COPPS drafted the "Determination and Documentation" document.

APA members, divisions and state, provincial and territorial psychological associations can now comment on the document. To read it and submit comments, visit www.apa.org/practice/guidelines_cmt.html. Submit comments by Dec. 1.

The original council-approved policy document is available at www.apa.org/practice/Dev_and_Eval.pdf.

Renew your membership dues

APA will send its 2005 dues statements for members, associate members and fellows in late September.

The deadline for payment is Nov. 19. Prompt payment ensures that your records will be updated and that delivery of the Monitor, American Psychologist, your APA membership card and other benefits will not be interrupted.

Your paid membership also provides a credit toward the journal of your choice, discounts on APA publications, delivery of timely information and updates and continued eligibility for APA Insurance Trust programs.

If you don't receive your dues statement this month, contact APA's Membership Office at (800) 374-2721 or (202) 336-5580; TDD: (202) 336-6123; fax: (202) 336-5568; email: membership@apa.org.

Faculty: Share APA membership benefits with your students

Spread the word to psychology students about APA products, services and membership benefits tailored just for them through APA's Department Volunteer Network (DVN). DVN connects students to APA by providing faculty volunteers with association news, catalogs, program fact sheets and applications to distribute on their campuses. To learn more or to join DVN, contact Membership Development at the APA address; e-mail: dvn@apa.org.

--M. GREER