New Regional Coordinators Join the FEDAC Grassroots Network

We are very pleased to welcome the following newest Regional Coordinators: Kermit A. Crawford (Director, Center for Multicultural Mental Health, Boston University School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center); Paul M. Robins (Program Director, Pediatric Psychology, Co-Director, Psychology Internship Program Department of Psychology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia); Barry Edelstein (Professor, Department of Psychology, West Virginia University); Gayle Robbins (Counseling & Psychological Services, University of Georgia Health Center); Brick Johnstone (University of Missouri – Columbia, School of Health Professions, Department of Health Psychology); Tami De Coteau (VA BHHCS); and Linda Forrest (Counseling Psychology and Human Services. University of Oregon). At this time, we are excited to report that we now have 20 FEDACs, with one recruit pending. Please join us in thanking all the current and new FEDACs for taking time from their very busy schedules to serve in this most important capacity. It is through their recruiting efforts and support that our grassroots network is successful…and growing!

Unprecedented Response to GPE Action Alert!

ED-PPO would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to our recent Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) Action Alert. In fact, when we asked for your help to save the GPE Program, you really delivered! Congress received over 3,500 messages from the psychology education community…the largest response to an Education-PPO Action Alert ever!

Most importantly, as a result of your immediate and overwhelming support, we have made substantial progress in gaining support for GPE from key legislators. In fact, in a recent Hill meeting with a psychologist-constituent, the Hill staffer hastened to report that “the staff has already discussed the [GPE] program and the program has the Senator’s full support”. This unequivocal support was no doubt influenced by the 60+ e-mail messages that the office had received regarding the GPE Program.

Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) Honored at NCSPP Mid-Winter Meeting

At its recent mid-winter meeting the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP) held a reception honoring Congressman Sam Farr (D-17-CA), member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. The NCSPP reception provided an opportunity for NCSPP members, California constituents, and Nina Levitt, EdD, Associate Executive Director for Education Policy, to speak directly to the Congressman about the importance of the Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) Program. Mr. Farr is a strong supporter of mental and behavioral health services and is likely to champion FY 2007 funding for the GPE Program.

Mark Your Calendars - Annual Education Advocacy Breakfast Meeting

Please be sure to mark your calendars for the Annual Education Advocacy Breakfast Meeting, which will be held during the APA Convention in New Orleans on Saturday, August 12th from 7:30-9:00 AM (exact hotel/room location to be announced later). Keynote speaker this year will be Michelle Snyder, PhD, Associate Administrator for Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Also attending will be Rear Admiral Donald Weaver, MD, Deputy Associate Administrator, BPHC, HRSA. As BEA members may recall, Education-PPO staff has been working for some time now to promote integrated mental and behavioral health care at Community Health Centers (CHC). As head of the federal CHC program, and a psychologist, Dr. Snyder’s perspective should be of great interest to everyone attending, especially those individuals wishing to provide services to underserved populations and communities. The presentation should be especially meaningful given that the breakfast meeting is taking place in New Orleans – a city in tremendous need of integrated health care services. See you there!

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