Formal Statements and Covenants
That Guided
the Commission's Efforts
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and Training in Psychology In October 1994, the APA President (Ronald Fox, PhD) established the APA Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention, and Training in Psychology (CEMRRAT) to accomplish the following: 1. Review and synthesize existing data regarding ethnic minority recruitment, retention and graduation, and education and training in psychology. 2. Describe the components that impact successful ethnic minority recruitment,1 retention, and training for psychology. 3. Explore the nature of barriers and obstacles that prohibit significant ethnic minority recruitment, retention, and training in psychology. 4. Recommend the development and implementation of innovative ethnic minority recruitment, retention, and education and training models. 5. Define the role(s) of organized psychology in influencing ethnic minority recruitment and retention and encouraging multicultural education and training. 6. Develop a five-year plan of action for APA addressing ethnic minority recruitment, retention, and training. This charge was approved by the CEMRRAT on October 27, 1995. and Training in Psychology The APA Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention, and Training in Psychology (CEMRRAT) on December 9, 1994, revised and approved the following definitions of subject areas: Recruitment: Involves information/strategies focusing on improving the representation of ethnic minorities (students, faculty, etc.) in psychology. Retention and Graduation: Involves information/strategies focusing on retaining and graduating ethnic minority students at all levels of the education pipeline, keeping ethnic minorities (be they student, faculty, or professional) in the discipline (includes, but not limited to mentoring; professional, emotional, and financial support; acknowledgement of contributions; and solicited meaningful participation). Education and Training: Involves strategies/curriculum focused on improving cultural and ethnic diversity in course content and practicum experiences, and expanding the theoretical, methodological and knowledge base of the science of psychology by modeling and otherwise encouraging the formulation and investigation of research questions on ethnic minority issues; also, involves information/strategies to educate and train psychologists to work with and on behalf of culturally and ethnically diverse populations, whether in an educational, research, or practice framework. and Training in Psychology Prepared by Richard M. Suinn, PhD, Chairperson, CEMRRAT, and approved by CEMRRAT on May 12, 1995. Three events led to the appointment of the APA Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention, and Training in Psychology (CEMRRAT):
From the initial charge to the Commission, and directly relevant to the Council of Representatives and BEA Resolution, the following are goals of the Commission: Increase the numbers of ethnic minority students recruited into the academic pipeline who are retained, and who graduate. Steps might include: reaching out to raise the size of the pool of potential psychology majors; (a) making psychology a more salient career; (b) enabling students to achieve academic success and career preparation once in psychology; (c) enabling departments to be successful as joint participants in recruitment, retention and graduation, and curriculum development. Increase the numbers of ethnic minority faculty who are recruited into and advance in academic positions. Steps might include: (a) enabling faculty candidates and departments to be successful joint collaborators in recruitment and advancement of ethnic minority members; (b) documenting the "value-added" of increased diversity in departments; (c) organizing career consultation and career development opportunities. Stimulate the development of ethnic diversity knowledge and competencies through curricula and other published materials. Steps might include: (a) making information available on existing diversity publications such as through evaluative reviews; (b) increasing the availability of useful curriculum methods and resources; (c) organizing human resources in collaborative settings for mutual sharing and instruction. It is the vision of the Commission members to be truly a unique body, thoroughly committed to taking ethnic minority goals "to the next level" by building on prior foundations, while reaching for new heights. Each member personally dedicated himself/herself to "getting things done" rather than again stating what we already know, of aiming at concrete planning rather than generic envisioning, and adopting action-oriented steps with a view toward products rather than further debated and empty discourse. The very term "Commission" has challenged us; we shall now see if we are able to meet our own high standards for ourselves. and Training in Psychology The APA Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention, and Training in Psychology (CEMRRAT), on October 27, 1995, reviewed and approved its operating principles to read as follows. Summarize existing knowledge that pertains to ethnic minority recruitment, retention and graduation, and education and training and make it available to the general public. CEMRRAT will utilize as its operating definition of ethnic minorities: African American/Black, Asian American/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic/Latino(a). This definition involves consideration and sensitivity to the diversity within ethnic minority groups to include but not limit to gender, sexual orientation, disability, and those of mixed ethnicity/race. Involve many specialists with diverse expertise in the Commission's work. Keep the APA membership informed about the Commission's activities and progress; systematically use APA organizational media to communicate with members. Work with other organizations. Particular attention should be given to APA affiliated and non-APA affiliated academic and professional organizations such as: State and Regional Psychological Associations, APA Divisions and Governance Groups, the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students, Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools, Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology, National Education Association, National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology, Association of Postdoctoral and Internship Centers, the national ethnic minority psychological associations (AAPA, ABPsi, NHPA, SIP), etc. Develop collaborative and cooperating relationships with these and other organizations whose work is germane to ethnic minority recruitment, retention and graduation, and education and training. Disseminate information and products developed by the Commission. Make systematic use of professional and public print and electronic media, organizational linkages, and public education strategies. Influence legislation and public policy related to ethnic minority recruitment, retention, and training issues. Work with public officials and with grassroots networks. Clarify implications for research and program evaluation. Involve appropriate expertise so that findings are interpreted appropriately for use by psychological educators, researchers, and service providers. Encourage evaluation of initiatives; ensure that all summary and review findings include implications for both action and research. 1CEMRRAT will utilize as its operating definition of ethnic minorities: African American/Black, Asian America/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic/Latino(a). This definition involves consideration and sensitivity to the diversity within ethnic minority group to include, but not limited to, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and those of mixed ethnicity/race. |