February 20, 2003

On February 12, 2003, Congress approved a more than two-fold increase for the Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) Program in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Despite tight budget allocations and other pressing considerations, Congress approved $4.5 million for psychology education and training in the Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr): $3 million to continue the GPE program and an additional $1.5 million to support graduate training in geropsychology within the GPE program.

The initiative has been a top legislative priority for APA’s Education Directorate, Public Policy Office, and Office on Aging, and represents the culmination of tremendous grassroots efforts by psychologists around the country.

It is especially noteworthy that the GPE program advances the recognition of psychology as an essential health profession of national significance within the BHPr, which is charged with “coordinating, evaluating, and supporting the development and utilization of the Nation’s health personnel.”

Much of the credit for this big win goes to APA members across the nation, who provided the critically needed grassroots support. APA member Herbert Goldstein, PhD (of St. Petersburg, FL), successfully launched an effort to gain first-ever FY 2002 funding for the GPE program, by enlisting the support of Representative Bill Young (R-FL), Chair of the full House Appropriations Committee. In addition, APA member Robert Devies, PhD (of Alliance, Ohio) was instrumental in garnering the support of Representative Ralph Regula (R-OH), Chair of the House Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

In addition, Peter Nathan, PhD, of the University of Iowa, with the help of the Education Directorate and the Iowa Psychological Association, hosted a reception honoring Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chair of the Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee. Senator Harkin’s support for GPE was evident in the final Senate bill, which included specific instruction in the committee report to continue GPE with a separate geropsychology component in FY 2003.

Finally, Members of APA's Committee on Aging and Division 12, Section 2-Clinical Geropsychology, as well as APA's grassroots networks, including the newly established Federal Education Advocacy Coordinators (FEDAC) network, played a vital role in participating in visits on Capitol Hill, sending letters and making calls to their members of congress in support of the GPE program.

IMPORTANT NEXT STEP

In order to continue strong Congressional support for GPE, and to demonstrate the enormous need and interest in the new federal program, it is critical that the Bureau of Health Professions receives a serious response from the psychology community (especially geropsychology) in the upcoming GPE grant application cycle. To that end, below is general information about the GPE program that was established in FY 2002. WE WILL SHARE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, INCLUDING THE 2003 TIMELINE AND GUIDANCE FOR APPLICATIONS.

GPE PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) program provides funds to train health service psychologists to work with other health professionals in the provision of services to underserved populations (e.g., children, rural persons, chronically ill, and victims of abuse and trauma). In addition, funding to train geropsychologists who provide health care services to older persons will be established in 2003. Funding is provided through a competitive grant process to APA - accredited doctoral and internship (or postdoctoral residencies if allowed by the agency) programs for basic or advanced training. Allowable use of funds is likely to include trainee stipends, support for clinical teaching psychologists, faculty and curriculum development, model demonstration programs and technical assistance.

Last year, approximately 65 applications were received for 18 grants. The request for proposals (RFP) was announced on April 2nd, 2002, in the Federal Register, and application materials were made available at the Bureau of Health Professions website with links from the APA website. Technical assistance was provided through a series of conference calls arranged following the Federal Register announcement. In addition, a Peer Review Panel made up of psychologists from around the country met in the summer to review the grant applications. Funds for FY 2002 were disbursed on September 30, 2002 (the last day of the fiscal year). A similar schedule is expected for the FY 2003 funding cycle.

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