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2007 Education Leadership Conference Advocacy Agenda, September 8-11, Washington DC
Finally, on Tuesday morning after last preparations, questions, and issue briefs, the participants were on their way to Capitol Hill to talk about re-authorizing SAMHSA specifically the need for better investment in workforce training and the strengthening of the Campus Suicide Prevention program. The participants came back after their hill visits energized and hopeful for what may be accomplished on these issues with this Congress. Congressional Members and their staff were interested in our issues and many were supportive! ELC participants did an impressive job this year communicating the need for Members of Congress to consider our recommendations during the SAMHSA reauthorization. It is because of such efforts by APA members that we are able to see real change in the way Congress views psychology's contributions and gives recognition to the vital role it is playing. Below are photos of some of the ELC participants and their Members of Congress:
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This year's advocacy portion of the annual Education Directorate's Education Leadership Conference (ELC) centered on the reauthorization of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA). The focus was on the Education Directorate's recommendations for the Campus Suicide Prevention Program and mental health workforce development initiatives, which are two issues of importance within SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services. Historically, SAMHSA has done little to support workforce training, except for the successful albeit small Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) which provides grants for pre and post doctoral fellowships primarily for minority psychologists. Nevertheless, the SAMHSA strategic plan has several key guiding principles which include: the need for improvement in clinical training and continuing education using evidence-based practices; the need to initiate widespread leadership training; the need to address critical training topics (e.g., integration of mental/behavioral services with primary care) and shortages (e.g., services for children and older adults). Therefore, in addition to requesting a specific authority for the MFP, the Education Directorate recommended a considerable expansion in the CMHS workforce development efforts to include institutional grants and loan repayment. Also APA is advocating for an expansion of SAMHSA's data collection and analysis to include information on providers.
APA is taking a lead role in promoting changes to the Campus Suicide Prevention Program, a program authorized as part of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (GLSMA). The Campus Suicide Prevention program is largely based on the APA initiated Campus Care & Counseling Act, which was introduced during the 108th Congress by Sen. Jack Reed in the Senate and Rep. Danny Davis in the House.. During the negotiations on the GLSMA, a number of provisions that had been included in the original legislation were not adopted as part of the final law. APA recommends that funds be increased and the uses of funds be expanded during the upcoming reauthorization.. Specifically, the APA recommendations include expanding the range of mental health services provided on campus and allowing funds to be used to strengthen mental and behavioral health training opportunities in internship and residency programs, such as psychology doctoral and post-doctoral training.
There were several speakers that gave ELC participants background into these important issues. Ron Manderscheid, PhD, former Branch Chief of the Survey and Analysis Branch, Center for Mental Health Services gave a very informative presentation on how to Bridge the Training Chasm. Dr. Manderscheid spoke about the growing problem of healthcare delivery and the quality of healthcare needed in the near future.[ 
After our terrific guest presenters provided participants with background into the issues, Nina Levitt Ed.D., Associate Executive Director for Government Relations APA Education Directorate and Jenny Smulson, Senior Office, Legislative and Federal Affairs APA Education Directorate described the issues and explained the recommendations. The “asks” of the Suicide Prevention GLSMA were to: 1) authorize expanded use of funds; and 2) increase authorization of appropriations to $10 million in FY 2009. The “ask” of the Workforce Development issues were: 1) Authorize Minority Fellowship Program; 2) Add training programs (i.e., institutional grant and/or loan repayment program); and 3) Expand data collection and analysis capability.
Following the presentations, approximately one hundred participants geared up for Hill visits with their Members of Congress or their staff that were scheduled for the following morning. Earlier in the day, record numbers of participants attended a session on “Advocacy for Novices.” They were quickly able to put what they learned in the morning session to use in the afternoon session which was led by Christopher Kush of Soapbox Consulting. Christopher prepared the group by explaining how to get their message across and then he led the participants in role playing that enabled them to practice their advocacy skills.
Monday evening ELC participants also attended a special reception in honor of Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY), who has expressed support for another important Education Directorate legislative initiative: funding for the Graduate Psychology Education Program (GPE). In the Majority and a senior member of the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services-Education Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over GPE and many other Education advocacy legislative issues, Rep. Lowey has enormous influence on Capitol Hill. In fact, for many years now Rep. Lowey has been a proponent for education, a champion of health care 
services for women, children, and the elderly, and recently a strong advocate for mental health care for returning veterans. APA members and Education Government Relations Office staff will continue to seek Rep. Lowey's support for increased funding for the GPE program, the only federal program solely dedicated to the education and training of psychologists.
