Levant presents presidential citations

In May, APA President Ronald F. Levant, EdD, presented presidential citations to four psychologists:

• Leslie H. Hicks, PhD, a Howard University psychology professor, for his "service to the association and colleagues in a multitude of capacities, beginning in 1968 with his tenure as administrative officer for scientific affairs." Hicks has also served on numerous APA boards and committees, including the Committee on Ethics in Human Research, the Education and Training Board, the Committee on Equality of Opportunity in Psychology, the Board of Social and Ethical Responsibility in Psychology and the Publications and Communications Board.

Gwendolyn Puryear Keita, PhD, and Henry Tomes, PhD, presented the citation on Levant's behalf on May 6 at a celebration of Hicks's 50 years at Howard University.

• Donald M. Bernstein, PhD, a Fairleigh Dickinson University psychology professor, for his "numerous and varied contributions to psychology in New Jersey and to the New Jersey Psychological Association [NJPA]." Bernstein served as NJPA president in 1984 after serving as editor of the journal New Jersey Psychologist and as chair of NJPA's legislative committee. He served as NJPA's director of professional affairs for more than 12 years until his retirement at the end of this month.

Levant presented Bernstein with the citation at the NJPA meeting on May 13.

• Raymond F. Hanbury, PhD, chair of NJPA's Addictive Behaviors Committee and NJPA Disaster Response Network coordinator, for his "commitment to improving psychological services to the public." Hanbury, NJPA's 2000 president, is the APA Disaster Response Network's northeast region representative. He also provides pro bono work as clinical director of the critical incident stress management team in Monmouth and Ocean counties in New Jersey.

Levant presented Hanbury with the citation at the NJPA meeting on May 13.

• Stanley Moldawsky, PhD, NJPA federal advocacy coordinator and one of the "fathers of New Jersey psychology" for his "leadership and dedication throughout his career to both APA and NJPA." Moldawsky, NJPA's 1975 president, was part of the "Dirty Dozen" that mobilized practitioners to be involved in and advocate for practice. He has also served on APA's Board of Directors, Council of Representatives, Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice and Board of Professional Affairs.

Levant presented Moldawsky with the citation at the NJPA meeting on May 13.

Students: Present at APA's 2006 Annual Convention

Although APA's 2006 Annual Convention in New Orleans, Aug. 10–13, is 11 months away, students interested in presenting must send their materials to APA's Central Office by Dec. 2 for consideration. For more information on APA's convention policies, visit www.apa.org/convention.

Comment on programs up for accreditation review

APA's Committee on Accreditation is accepting third-party testimony from students, faculty and consumers on all programs scheduled for a 2006 site visit and periodic review.

Visit www.apa.org/ed/accreditation for listings of the programs scheduled for review, instructions on how to file third-party comments and filing deadlines. For more details on how to provide third-party testimony, refer to Section 7 of the Accreditation Operating Procedures, located at www.apa.org/ed/oprtgprcd.pdf, or contact APA's Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation at the APA address; (202) 336-5979.

APA's DiGilio elected National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging chair

The National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging (NCMHA) elected APA Aging Issues Officer Deborah A. DiGilio, MPH, chair at the group's May meeting. DiGilio will serve a two-year term.

Established in 1991, NCMHA aims to provide opportunities for professional, consumer and government organizations to work to improve the availability and quality of mental health services for older Americans and their families through education, research and increased public awareness. Since 2001, APA and its Office on Aging have provided staff support and served as the organizational host of NCMHA.

The coalition also elected its executive board, which includes APA member Robert Bernstein, PhD, of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law; Willard Mays, of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors; Alixe McNeill, of the National Council on the Aging; Anita Rosen, PhD, of the American Society on Aging and Council on Social Work Education; Laura Young, PhD, of the Older Women's League; Mildred Reynolds, EdD, of the National Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance; and Robert Rawlings, of the Oklahoma Mental Health and Aging Coalition.

Apply for a spring ethnic-minority grant

The American Psychological Association of Graduate Students' Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs awards up to two $500 grants each spring semester for projects that recruit, retain and enhance the training of ethnic-minority graduate psychology students.

For more information, visit www.apa.org/apags/members/schawrds.html. The application deadline is Dec. 1.

Experience federal policy-making by serving as an APA congressional fellow

APA is seeking applications for its 2006–2007 Congressional Fellowship Program, which sponsors up to six psychologists to serve as legislative assistants on the staffs of members of Congress or congressional committees for a one-year period beginning in September 2006.

The fellowship program encourages more effective use of scientific knowledge in government and broadens perceptions in the research, practice and governmental communities about the value of psychology-government interaction. Activities may include conducting legislative or oversight work, assisting in congressional hearings and debates, and preparing speeches and briefing materials. Prospective fellows must demonstrate competence in scientific or professional psychology and display sensitivity toward policy issues and a strong interest in applying psychological knowledge to national issues. Special fellowships are available for psychologists with expertise in educational assessment and health and behavior issues, including HIV/AIDS.

To qualify, applicants must be U.S. citizens, be APA members and hold a doctoral-level degree in psychology or a related field. A minimum of two years' postdoctorate experience is preferred.

The one-year appointment begins Sept. 1, 2006, and includes a stipend that ranges from $55,000 to $70,000, depending on the recipient's years of postdoctorate experience. A supplement of up to $3,500 is available for relocation to the Washington, D.C., area and for travel expenses during the year. An additional monthly stipend of $350 is provided for health insurance and other fellowship-related expenses. Fellows will be selected in early spring.

To apply, submit a curriculum vitae and three letters of reference specifically addressing abilities related to the fellowship. Include a 1,000-word personal statement that addresses your career goals, interest in the fellowship, potential contributions to the legislative process and what you want to learn from the experience.

Applications must be received by Jan. 2. Send materials to: APA Congressional Fellowship Program, Public Policy Office, at the APA address. For more information, contact the Public Policy Office at (202) 336-6062 or visit www.apa.org/ppo/fellows. APA is an equal opportunity employer.

New award recognizes education and training

In March, APA's Board of Educational Affairs created an award that will recognize a program's distinguished contributions to the education and training of child and adolescent mental health psychologists.

The award will recognize APA- or Canadian Psychological Association-accredited doctoral and internship programs, as well as postdoctoral training programs, that prepare students and psychologists to promote the development of child and adolescent mental health in the context of families, schools or communities.

The board will develop the criteria and the process that will be used in considering nominations in the upcoming months.

For more information, see upcoming issues of the Monitor and the Education Directorate's Web site, www.apa.org/ed.

Volunteer for National Depression Screening Day

Mark Oct. 6 on your calendar for the 15th annual National Depression Screening Day.

National Depression Screening Day organizers provide volunteers with a comprehensive package of materials to screen the public for mood and anxiety disorders. NDSD also offers online and in-person screening for co-occurring mental health and alcohol disorders.

For more information, visit www.mentalhealthscreening.org; (781) 239-0071.

--Z. STAMBOR