Goal:Establish a campus-based nationwide, comprehensive education advocacy grassroots network to assist the APA Public Policy-Education efforts to gain increased federal support for psychology education and training. This Federal Education Advocacy Coordinators (FEDAC) network will be developed regionally, beginning with doctoral education and training programs in key states. When fully completed, the FEDAC network will include individuals representing university psychology undergraduate and graduate departments, psychology training programs, professional schools, psychology high school teachers, and academic/administrative leaders. The FEDAC network is not intended to supplant or compete with other psychology grassroots networks (e.g., Practice Directorate, PPAN, APAGS, etc.), but will work collaboratively with them whenever possible and appropriate.

Background: A fully successful federal advocacy program requires an organized, comprehensive grassroots network. Support from psychology education constituents across the nation is, in fact, critical to advancing psychology education and training and the application of psychology to education. Approximately one third of APA members are employed in educational settings and nearly one half of the members engage in educational activities. In addition, within APA there are approximately 64,000 student members, and 2300 high school teacher affiliates. These psychologists, students and faculty from hundreds of universities, colleges, professional schools, and secondary schools have the potential to unite and become a powerful voice on Capitol Hill.

Targeted Approach: FEDAC regions will be developed nationwide using a targeted phase-in regional approach. Priority will be given to those states within the various regions that have key legislators serving on Congressional Committees, which oversee education and training legislation: Senate HELP Committee, House Commerce Health Subcommittee; Senate and House Labor/Health, Human Services Appropriations Committees.

Annual FEDAC Meeting: An annual fall meeting of the Regional FEDACs will be held in Washington, in conjunction with the newly established Education Leadership Conference. The 2 ½ day meeting (Saturday through Tuesday) will include plenary sessions and speakers on legislative initiatives of importance to psychology education and training, as well as advocacy grassroots training sessions and follow-up hill visits.

FEDAC Nomination and Selection Process: Names of individuals interested in serving as a volunteer Regional FEDAC will be solicited from the various psychology education/training organizations (e.g., APPIC, COGDOP, CUDCPP, NCSPP, TOPSS, etc.) and other relevant sources. One FEDAC per each of the (10) designated regions will then be selected by the Director of Education Policy, in consultation with the BEA Advocacy Subcommittee and Education Directorate Executive Director. Though not required, individuals with previous federal (or state) advocacy experience will be urged to volunteer and given preference.

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