Public Interest Government Relations Office (PI-GRO)

March 2015 Update

www.apa.org/about/gr/pi

This report, including links to additional information about our activities, is available online at www.apa.org/about/gr/pi.

Middle top: Aging: From left: Glenn Smith, PhD, Robert S. Willson, PhD, and Margaret Gatz, PhD, at APA’s dementia prevention Capitol Hill briefing Top right: Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) addresses the crowd at APA’s Capitol Hill briefing on police-community relations post-Ferguson Bottom left: CYF: APA staff appearing in photos disseminated via the Twitter #InvestInUs campaign to call attention to the importance of child care, early learning, and other federal early childhood programs Bottom right: APA President Barry Anton, PhD, ABPP addresses the crowd at the Congressional Fellowship 40th anniversary

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PI-GRO actively engages in shaping federal policy to promote psychology in the public interest. As part of APA’s Public Interest Directorate, the office promotes the application of psychology to the fundamental problems of human welfare and the promotion of equitable and just treatment of all segments of society. This work involves informing Congress, the White House, and federal agencies about psychological science and practice and their relevance to federal policy.

PI-GRO regularly works with APA membership to help ensure the success of its advocacy efforts and to enhance the ability of the field to advocate on key issues. PI-GRO relies on member experts to assist in the development and dissemination of educational and advocacy materials that are shared with Congress and the executive branch. In addition, PI-GRO provides APA members and student affiliates with a variety of public policy and advocacy opportunities, including:

} Federal advocacy trainings and Capitol Hill visits

} Congressional Fellowship Program

} Public Interest Graduate Student Policy Internship

} APA Federal Action Network

In this report you will find information about the significant achievements and efforts of PI-GRO in 2014. To learn more about PI-GRO initiatives, please visit PI-GRO’s website at www.apa.org/about/gr/pi and consider joining the Federal Action Network at http://advocate.apa.org.

Judith Glassgold, PsyDDirector, PI-GROAssociate Executive Director, PI DirectorateDirector, APA Congressional Fellowship Program

Amalia Corby-Edwards, MSSenior Legislative and Federal Affairs Officer

Micah Haskell-HoehlSenior Policy Associate Administrator, APA Congressional Fellowship Program

Cynthia Malley, MPALegislative Assistant

Stefanie Reeves, MA, CAESenior Legislative and Federal Affairs Officer

Leo Rennie, MPASenior Legislative and Federal Affairs Officer

Ben Vonachen, MALegislative and Federal Affairs Associate

Clara FajardoPublic Interest Policy Graduate Intern

Rachel O’Connor, MAPublic Interest Policy Graduate Intern

Meet Our Staff

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PI-GRO Key Issues

AGING

} Advocacy efforts address mental health care and community-based services, poverty, violence, suicide, elder abuse, caregiver support, and improving psychological services in long-term care.

CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

} Advocacy efforts address child abuse, access to child care and preschool programs, improving mental health, juvenile justice, and violence prevention.

ETHNIC MINORITY AFFAIRS

} Advocacy efforts address improving health and reducing health care disparities, cultural competence, the Minority Fellowship Program, American Indian/Alaska Native health services, and immigration.

HEALTH DISPARITIES AND HEALTH CARE REFORM

} Advocacy efforts address reducing health disparities across all populations, health care reform policy, increasing access to mental and behavioral health services, and addressing the social determinants of health.

HIV AND AIDS

} Advocacy efforts address substance use, mental and behavioral health, stigma, and the effective application of psychology to the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

} Advocacy efforts address access to health care, employment protections, stigma, international issues, parents with disabilities, and elementary and secondary education.

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER ISSUES

} Advocacy efforts address stigma, discrimination and prejudice, hate crimes, health disparities, health data collection and research, violence, bullying prevention, and workplace rights.

POVERTY AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS

} Advocacy efforts address access to health care, education, safe and affordable housing, adequate wages, safety net programs, and employment laws.

TRAUMA, VIOLENCE, AND ABUSE

} APA advocacy efforts include victim support, expanding the research base on violence prevention, strengthening the capacity of mental health systems to respond to violence and abuse, and supporting related federal funding.

WOMEN’S ISSUES

} Advocacy efforts include addressing postpartum depression, reproductive health, prevention of violence and abuse, and equality in employment and education. K

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Empowering Members to Bring Psychology to Policymakers

ADVOCACY TRAININGS AND HILL DAYS

} PI-GRO regularly engages APA membership through

advocacy trainings and Capitol Hill visits. Over

the last year, a number of groups participated in

these activities, which typically include training

on the fundamentals of the legislative process and

advocacy, engaging in issue-specific presentations,

role playing, and attending meetings with members

of Congress or their staff. These opportunities focus

on key association public policy objectives, allowing

participants to make a direct impact in ongoing

GRO initiatives.

Recent 2014 PI-GRO trainings included:

APAGS Advocacy Training. PI-GRO staff provided federal advocacy training for members of the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students Committee on LGBT Concerns (January 7, 2015). The graduate students got an overview of Congress, federal agencies, and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to prepare them for in-district meetings with their members in the Senate and House of Representatives.

PI Governance. Taking advantage of APA’s Fall 2014 Consolidated Meetings, PI-GRO staff provided training and federal advocacy opportunities for psychologists sitting on the Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest; Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns; and the Committee on Psychology and AIDS. The four governance members visited with representatives and senators from multiple congressional delegations and discussed critical federal HIV/AIDS activities, such as the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, National Institutes of Health AIDS research, and service programs supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that reach individuals living with HIV. Subsequently, SAMHSA government affairs staff met with the group to discuss Obama administration priorities on related issues,

including SAMHSA’s 2015 budget, prescription drug abuse and mental health systems reform, HIV and LGBT issues, SAMHSA’s new strategic plan, and the agency’s Workforce Strategic Initiative.

Divisions 9 and 27. APA, Division 9, the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI), and Division 27, the Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) held a daylong advocacy training and Hill day during the 2014 APA Convention in Washington, DC. The 50 graduate students and psychologists met with their members of Congress to urge support of the Family Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act of 2013 (H.R. 3712/S. 1810).

Working Group on Health Disparities in Boys and Men. Members of this APA working group met with staff of Reps. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) and Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), chairs of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Hispanic Caucus, respectively, during the 2014 APA Convention in Washington, DC. They advocated on behalf of funding to improve health outcomes for men and boys from disadvantaged populations through policies that advance related research and improve access to mental health services.

CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY

APA strives to bring psychological information to bear on policy. Testimony at congressional hearings provides expert information that is part of the formal record and provides APA’s and psychology’s perspective on key issues.

Suicide and Violence Prevention. Joel Dvoskin, PhD, ABPP, represented APA on a distinguished panel of witnesses at a September 18, 2014, hearing before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight, “Suicide Prevention and Treatment: Helping Loved Ones in Mental Health Crisis.” His testimony presented a multidimensional approach to suicide

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prevention and framed suicide prevention as an essential part of violence prevention. The testimony also addressed suicide risk and protective factors, successful means to reduce risk and prevent suicide, the link between suicide and other types of violence, and APA public policy recommendations.

Police Militarization. APA submitted written testimony for the September 9, 2014, hearing before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, “Oversight of Federal Programs for Equipping State and Local Law Enforcement.” The statement outlined psychological research regarding implicit bias and the implications it holds for law enforcement encounters with racial and ethnic minorities, particularly when involving military weaponry transferred to local authorities under the 1033 and related programs. APA also outlined several research-based approaches that minimize the risk for violent encounters between law enforcement and the public and maximize the chances for community collaboration with, and public trust in, law enforcement.

Psychological Research and Civil and Human Rights. APA submitted written testimony for a December 9, 2014, hearing of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights, “The State of Civil and Human Rights in the United States.” The testimony detailed how psychological research provides fundamental insights into:

} Prejudice, discrimination, and perceptions of ethnic minority individuals;

} Racial profiling, police–community relations, and nonbiased criminal justice and educational policies; and

} Employment discrimination and equitable workforce policies.

Psychology provides tools for reducing prejudice and plays a strong role in advancing civil and human rights.

For example, the testimony highlighted contributions of psychological research in improving police-community relations in light of recent conflicts and violence between police and minority communities.

As part of APA’s efforts to improve police–community relations, APA submitted written comments to the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing on February 17, 2015. The comments highlighted research on equity-based policing, community-based policing, and behavioral health interventions to reduce stress and improve behavioral health with police departments. Recommendations to the task force included increasing behavioral health resources within police departments.

Assessing Persons With Disabilities. APA Member Irene W. Leigh, PhD, testified on Capitol Hill before the National Council on Disability (NCD) on its report Rocking the Cradle: Ensuring the Rights of Parents With Disabilities and Their Children. Dr. Leigh, Professor Emerita in the Department of Psychology at Gallaudet University, served on the task force that developed the 2011 guidelines for psychologists in their assessment of and intervention for persons with disabilities. NCD references the guidelines throughout its 2012 report.

Dr. Leigh’s testimony focused on different aspects of the guidelines, including assessment, cultural differences, and the ability for persons with disabilities to parent. Dr. Leigh also highlighted the need for more research specific to parents with disabilities. This congressional event continues collaboration between APA and NCD. Over the last two years, APA worked with NCD to bring attention to the considerable difficulties faced by parents with disabilities.

Empowering Members to Bring Psychology to Policymakers ... continued

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BRIEFINGS AND EVENTS

Psychological knowledge gained through research and practice provides up-to-date guidance to policymakers. Targeted briefings bring the best psychological information directly to members of Congress and their staffs.

LGBT Behavioral Health Disparities. APA hosted a roundtable on November 21, 2014, in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of LGBT Outreach and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The session, “Addressing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Behavioral Health Disparities by Improving Access to Care,” was simultaneously broadcast on the web, where it still can be viewed. Held during the open enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the event highlighted the potential for ACA to reduce behavioral health disparities LGBT individuals face by increasing access to health insurance coverage.

Improving Police–Community Relations. APA hosted a November 12, 2014, congressional briefing, “Post-Ferguson: The Psychology of Improving Police and Community Relations,” in cooperation with Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who also gave remarks before about 100 attendees. The distinguished panel included:

} Tom Tyler, PhD, Macklin Fleming Professor of Law and Professor of Psychology at Yale Law School;

} Lorraine W. Greene, PhD, ABPP, APA Council of Representatives, Nashville, TN; and

} Ellen Scrivner, PhD, ABPP, Deputy Director, both at the COPS Office and the National Institute of Justice (DOJ) Ret.; currently, Executive Fellow, Police Foundation, Washington, DC.

APA CEO Norman B. Anderson, PhD, moderated the panel and served as a discussant during the question and answer session. Panelists presented research and practice

insights on improving police–community relations through increasing procedural justice and reducing biased-based policing. The timely insights underscored concerns such as the militarization of policing and other relevant policy issues psychological science could influence within the Department of Justice and local law enforcement agencies.

Dementia Prevention. APA’s Public Interest Government Relations Office (PI-GRO) hosted a congressional briefing on July 11, 2014, entitled “Can We Prevent Dementia? Cutting-Edge Research and Interventions.” PI-GRO worked closely with the Committee on Aging (CONA) and Science Government Relations Office in organizing the briefing. The panel comprised:

} CONA Chair-Elect Glenn Smith, PhD, Professor of

Psychology, Division of Neurocognitive Disorders, Mayo College of Medicine, Rochester, MN;

} Robert S. Wilson, PhD, Professor in the Departments of Neurological Sciences and Psychology at Rush University Medical Center; and

} Margaret Gatz, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Gerontology and Preventive Medicine, University of

Southern California Dornsife College of Letters, Arts

and Sciences.

The presenters described some of the interventions under development and evaluation by psychological scientists and other researchers to enhance cognitive health for older adults and individuals with neurodegenerative disease. They also discussed how greater emphasis on prevention could improve the well-being and reduce the suffering of older adults and their families and slow the growing health care costs of dementia in our country. K

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For complete information about PI-GRO activities, please visit the office’s issue-specific webpages:

AGING

http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/aging/index.aspx

Lead Staff: Ben Vonachen; Former Staff: Roberta Downing

} Working to include psychology in White House Conference on Aging

} Supported reintroduction of Older Americans Act

CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/cyf/index.aspx

Lead Staff: Amalia Corby-Edwards

} Supported legislation to reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act in the 114th Congress

} Urged Congress to fully fund maternal home visiting programs; prioritize early learning and child care; and support safe, quality early learning experiences

ETHNIC MINORITY AFFAIRS

http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/minority/index.aspx

Lead Staff: Stefanie Reeves

} Sent a letter in support of resources to reduce trauma among Native American populations and increase funding for the Indians Into Psychology program

} Urged shift away from detention of immigrant children and families

HEALTH DISPARITIES AND HEALTH CARE REFORM

http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/health-care/index.aspx

Lead Staff: Judith Glassgold

} Presented on behavioral health disparities at a conference of FamiliesUSA

} Signed on to a letter supporting a 4-year reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Portfolio Updates

Post-Ferguson briefing: From left: Tom Tyler, PhD; Lorraine W. Greene, PhD, ABPP; Ellen Scrivner, PhD, ABPP; APA CEO Norman B. Anderson, PhD, at APA’s congressional briefing on community-law enforcement relations

HIV/AIDS: From left: Mark Brennan-Ing, PhD (CLGBTC), Gary Harper, PhD (BAPPI), Monica Rivera-Mindt, PhD (COPA), and Matthew Skinta, PhD (COPA), making visits to Capitol Hill and executive branch agencies during the Fall 2014 Consolidated meetings

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HIV/AIDS

http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/hiv/index.aspx

Lead Staff: Leo Rennie

} Joined key partners in supporting the continuation of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program

} Advocated for APA priorities in a new federal initiative to reduce HIV disparities among gay and

bisexual men, including men of color

INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/disability/index.aspx

Lead Staff: Stefanie Reeves

} Provided comments pertaining to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act in an APA letter on reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

} Despite obstacles, continued to support the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of

Persons With Disabilities

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) PERSONS

http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/lgbt/index.aspx

Lead Staff: Leo Rennie

} Supported key legislation to promote and protect global LGBT human rights

} Supported a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule that requires institutions providing services to beneficiaries to define same-sex marriage based on state of celebration

POVERTY AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS

http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/socioeconomic/ index.aspx

Former Staff: Roberta Downing

} Advocated, mobilized grassroots around a successful effort to defend federal poverty research

} Continued advocacy on paid sick leave and paid family leave

TRAUMA, VIOLENCE, AND ABUSE

http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/violence/index.aspx

Lead Staff: Amalia Corby-Edwards

} Advocated for efforts to reduce trafficking of women and children

} Applauded efforts to bolster mental health systems’ response to violence

WOMEN’S ISSUES

http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/women/index.aspx

Lead Staff: Amalia Corby-Edwards

} Participated in the Madison Summit on Campus Climate and Sexual Misconduct, held at the University of Wisconsin, on reducing campus sexual assault

} Joined with other national provider organizations to protect provider–patient relationships and support science-based perspectives by opposing H.R. 36, which would threaten providers with

fines/imprisonment for delivering professional and

compassionate care to women seeking abortions K

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Membership OpportunitiesCONGRESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

http://www.apa.org/about/gr/fellows/index.aspx

Lead Staff: Judith Glassgold

This APA-wide program, administered by PI-GRO, offers APA members the opportunity to spend one year as a special assistant to a member of Congress or congressional committee on Capitol Hill. In addition to providing one general fellowship, APA offers the APF-funded Jacquelin Goldman Fellowship (developmental/child clinical psychologists). To recognize those with unique backgrounds, the Catherine Acuff Fellowship (mid-career and senior psychologists) and the William Bailey Health and Behavior Fellowship are awarded to individuals selected for the general fellowship. The 2015–2016 selection process wraps up this March.

At the 2014 APA Convention in Washington, DC, APA celebrated the Congressional Fellowship Program’s 40th Anniversary. Events included a special reception in the new APA conference center and a retrospective symposium that featured program champion and former APA President Pat DeLeon, PhD, JD, MPH, and fellows from across the decades.

The 2014–2015 fellows serve in the offices of Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT).

FEDERAL ACTION NETWORK

http://advocate.apa.org

Lead Staff: Micah Haskell-Hoehl

This grassroots advocacy network allows psychologists and students to stay up-to-date on APA’s federal policy initiatives, influence federal policymakers with a unified voice on issues of importance to psychologists, and make use of simple tools to connect with and influence members of Congress. Through the network, users receive periodic emails alerting them to take action on the most important federal issues of the day. Recent action alerts addressed the Boko Haram kidnappings, the gender wage gap, home visiting programs, child care, unemployment insurance, and other pressing issues.

Suicide: From left: Acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak, MD, David A. Brent, MD, Christine Moutier, MD, and Joel A. Dvoskin, PhD, at the House hearing on suicide

Aging: A full crowd in attendance at APA’s Capitol Hill briefing on dementia prevention

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FEDERAL ADVOCACY TRAININGS AND CAPITOL HILL VISITS

Lead Staff: Ben Vonachen

PI-GRO hosts federal advocacy trainings to prepare APA members to share their expertise with policymakers effectively. These trainings include an overview of the federal legislative process, key strategies for informing and influencing policymakers, current legislative issues, and interactive exercises/role playing. Trainings often include an opportunity for members to advocate on important issues by visiting with members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill. For more information about these activities, see page 3 of this report.

PUBLIC INTEREST GRADUATE STUDENT POLICY INTERNSHIP

http://www.apa.org/about/gr/fellows/index.aspx

Lead Staff: Ben Vonachen

This program offers up to two doctoral students in psychology the opportunity to spend one year working on public interest issues alongside PI-GRO staff. Participants gain first-hand knowledge of the ways in which psychological science and practice can inform public policy and the roles psychologists can play in its formulation and implementation.K

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AMERICANPSYCHOLOGICALASSOCIATION

Public Interest Government Relations Office750 First Street, NEWashington, DC 20002-4242www.apa.org/about/gr/pi202-336-6166