2016 marks the 30th anniversary of APA’s Children, Youth and Families Office (CYFO). This page highlights the work of CYFO over the last 30 years, including CYFO milestones since its founding in 1986, resolutions adopted by APA’s Council of Representatives on children, youth and family issues, and distinguished psychologists who are alumni of the Committee on Children Youth and Families.
30 Years of the APA Children, Youth and Families Office
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Milestones
1986-94
- "When You Need Child Day Care" (English)/ "La Seleccion del Mejor Cuidado para el Nino de Edad Preescolar" (Spanish).
- "Psychological Testing of Language Minority and Culturally Different Children" (pamphlet).
- Mary Campbell conducts a survey of APA’s activities related to children, youth and families.
- Special issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology ® (December 1994) on the impact of poverty on children, youth and families” (with Div. 12/Sec 1).
1995-98
- National conference on "Violence Against Children in the Family and the Community: A Conference on Causes, Developmental Consequences, Intervention and Prevention."
- Violence in relationships: Love shouldn't hurt
- APA Resolution on Immigrant Children, Youth and Families .
- APA Resolution on School Dropout Preventionopens in new window (PDF, 21.39KB).
1999-2003
- APA Working Group on Children’s Mental Health created "APA’S Response to the Surgeon General’s Action Agenda for Children’s Mental Health."
- "An Annotated Bibliography on the Implications of Interactive Media for Adolescents."
- "Developing Adolescents: A Reference for Professionals."
- APA Resolution on Children’s Mental Health .
2004-2005
- Report of APA Task Force on Advertising and Children .
- "Addressing Missed Opportunities for Early Childhood Mental Health Interventions: Current Knowledge and Policy Implications."
- APA Task Force on Psychology’s Agenda for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
-
APA Resolution on Bullying Among Children and Youthopens in new window
(PDF, 39.54KB).
- Developed APA talking points on children’s mental health.
2006-2008
- Children and Trauma: Update for Mental Health Professionals.
- Children and Trauma: Tips for Mental Health Professionals.
- Report of the Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice with Children and Adolescents .
- Report of the Task Force on Resilience and Strength in African-American Children and Adolescents .
- Report of the APA Working Group on Psychotropic Medications for Children and Adolescents.
2009-11
- Promoted healthy lifestyles and prevented obesity and unhealthy weight control behaviors in children and youth.
- Partnered with communication scientists, collaborating across disciplines and leveraging impact to promote children’s mental health.
- Acting Boldly to Change Diet and Exercise for Kids Program .
2012-14
- CYFO co-sponsored the 2nd National Children’s Mental Health Summit (2013).
- CYFO co-sponsored the American Bar Association’s Conference “Addressing the Unspeakable: Confronting Family and Community Violence.”
- "Working with Refugee Children and Families: Update for Mental Health Professionals" (PDF, 724.72KB) (booklet).
2015-16
- Worked with the Center for Disease Control on Essential for Childhood framework.
-
Technical Report on the Review of the Violent Video Game Literature from the Task Force on Violent Mediaopens in new window
. (PDF, 413KB)
- During Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week co-sponsored with Child Mind Institute, launched the 4th annual Speak Up For Kids Campaign. Partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services and the Child Saving Institute on their respective campaigns.
- Membership in Striving To Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere Action Council, with special involvement in the communications workgroup.
2025
Resolutions
APA's Council of Representatives, the association's highest policy-making body, has adopted resolutions on the following children, youth and family issues. The resolutions are available online.
- Corporal Punishment.
- Policy Statement on Social Practices that Induce Violence.
- Prevention of Motor Vehicle Trauma and its Psychological and Physical Sequelae.
- Prevention of Obesity and Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors in Youth.
- Psychological Issues Related to Child Abuse and Neglect.
- Resolution on Bullying Among Children and Youth.
- Resolution on Child Custody.
- Resolution on Children’s Mental Health.
- Resolution on Ending Homelessness.
- Resolution on Immigrant Children, Youth and Families.
- Resolution on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youths in Schools.
- Resolution on Promoting Healthy Active Lifestyles and Prevention of Obesity and Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors in Children and Youth.
- Resolution on School Dropout Prevention.
- Resolution on Sexuality Education.
- Resolution on the Maltreatment of Children with Disabilities.
- Resolution on the Psychological Needs of Children Exposed to Disasters.
- Resolution on the Use of Psychology to Market Tobacco Products.
- Resolution on Violence against Children by Governments.
- Resolution on Violent Video Games.
- Resolution Opposing Child Sexual Abuse.
- Use of Psychology to Market Tobacco Products.
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Optional Protocols.
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- Violence in Mass Media.
Alumni 1986-2016
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*Members who acted as chair or co-chair
Last updated: August 2025Date created: 2016