Table of Contents

1. What is the role of the Government Relations Office?
2. How does federal policy affect me?
3. What are the hot issues for psychology in public policy?
4. How can I get involved?
5. Where can I learn about advocacy for psychologists?
6. Where can I find more information about the legislative process?
7. Where can I find out about current legislation pending before Congress?
8. Does PPO have an internship program?
9. Does APA sponsor federal policy fellowships?

1. What is the role of the Government Relations Office?

The APA Government Relations Office works to inform members of Congress and their staff about psychology and its relevance to federal policy, to advocate for increased support for federally-funded psychological research and behavioral and mental health services, to strengthen the voice of psychology at the regulatory level, to promote opportunities for the education and training of psychologists, and to bring to bear the expertise of psychologists to address our nation's challenging human welfare problems. PPO was established in 1991 to centralize the advocacy efforts of the Science, Education, and Public Interest Directorates of the APA. More information is available on the About PPO page.

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2. How does federal policy affect me as a student, educator, researcher, or clinician?

Each year, hundreds of bills are introduced and considered by Congress that affect you, your work, issues that concern you, and your community - from elementary schools to universities, from health care training to provision of services, and from scientific research to integrating research into health care services. PPO works with policymakers to ensure that the voices of students, researchers, educators, and clinicians are heard. If you or your institutions receive federal funding through student aid, research grants, or other federally-administered programs, your funding and program's policies may be affected by changes to federal laws and regulations. The most effective means of getting psychology's message to your Representative and Senators is through grassroots advocacy.

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3. What are the the hot issues for psychology in public policy?

For the most recent information, visit the PPO homepage. The PPO Action Alert page has additional issues that are currently of concern to psychology.  For a monthly update, you can read the PPO Update in the APA Monitor on Psychology and SPIN -- APA's Science Policy Insider News.

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4. How can I get involved?

You can subscribe to the Public Policy Advocacy Network (PPAN). PPAN -an e-mail grassroots network to help interested psychologists advocate for their discipline. PPO disseminates information and action alerts to PPAN members focusing on recent or upcoming federal legislative or regulatory action of concern to psychology. The periodic PPAN action alerts let you know what you can do to influence the legislative or regulatory process.

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5. Where can I learn about advocacy for psychologists?

Learn more by visiting the PPO Advocacy Guide page to read A Psychologist's Guide to Participation in Federal Policymaking.  

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6. Where can I find more information about the legislative process?

The Library of Congress Web site provides an excellent overview of The Legislative Process. 

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7. Where can I find out about current measures pending before Congress?

Visit Thomas, a legislative database maintained by the Library of Congress to find information about current measures pending before the House and Senate.

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8. Does PPO have an internship program in psychology and public policy?

PPO offers internship opportunities at the graduate level.  

Graduate students: To be considered for the Public Interest Policy Internship Program, you must currently be a graduate student - in at least your second year of study. The criteria and  instructions for application can be found on the Public Interest Policy Graduate Student Internship Program page. Graduate students may also apply for the Dalmas A. Taylor Summer Minority Policy Fellowship sponsored by the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI). Visit the SPSSI Web site for more information about this summer fellowship and other policy opportunities.

Undergraduate students: PPO does not have a formal internship program for undergraduates.  However, internship placements are occasionally available for an academic semester or for the summer for college credit. (You will need to check with your college or university program concerning this possibility.) Whenever possible, PPO will compensate undergraduate student interns who are unable to arrange for course credit.  

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9. Does APA sponsor federal policy fellowships?

Yes. Since 1975, the APA Congressional Fellowship Program has administered the APA Congressional and Science Policy Fellowship Programs, which offer members the opportunity to spend one year as a special assistant with a member of Congress or congressional committee on Capitol Hill or with a federal agency, such as the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research at the National Institutes of Health. The programs are intended to:

• Provide psychologists with an invaluable public policy learning experience;



• Contribute to the more effective use of psychological knowledge in government; and



• Broaden awareness about the value of psychology-government interaction among psychologists and within the federal government.

Congressional Fellows often engage in the following activities:

• Conducting legislative or oversight work;



• Assisting in congressional hearings and debates; and



• Preparing briefs and writing speeches.

Read the APA Monitor on Psychology article "New perspectives," to learn about the experiences of some APA Congressional Fellows.

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Government Relations Office
Revised: July 2004

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