Advancing Practice Together: CAPP Updates on New Membership Model, PLC, and Advocacy*

After a delayed plane and a few snowflakes, I’m back in Ohio after another energizing Practice Leadership Conference (PLC). The theme this year was “Advancing Practice Together,” and it was a very apt title given the historic vote at APA Council for a new membership concept that combines our c-3 organization (APA) with a new c-6 advocacy organization encompassing practice, science, education, and public interest. The proposal guarantees practice advocacy funding at its current level, with no raise in dues for at least three years. From this point, a workgroup will be formed to discuss governance and financial models, and a final vote will take place at APA Council in August.

CAPP had endorsed the model at their February meeting, stating it “believes it will ensure and expand the advocacy and other resources of importance to practitioners. CAPP perceives the new model will increase the ability of the association to create a stable financial future in order to advocate for and support all members of the association.” The final workgroup has not yet been announced, but CAPP is hoping for strong c-6 experience to be represented including at least one CAPP member.

After watching the important work at PLC, it has never been clearer to me that psychologists and psychology need to have a strong advocacy presence. PLC is one of the best examples of the c-6 work that the APAPO has funded. It includes essential supports for state psychological associations such as the training for presidents elect and executive directors and opportunities for states to share ideas. PLC engages students, early career psychologists, and diverse psychologists into advocacy providing stronger psychology advocacy for the future. In addition, PLC has often been the inspiration for early career and diverse psychologists to move into leadership. Many state psychological association presidents and APA/APAPO leaders were first introduced to leadership opportunities at PLC. My first PLC experiences as a public education campaign liaison strongly influenced both my involvement in OPA and APA/APAPO.

Importantly, PLC alsotakes hundreds of psychologist up to Capitol Hill and helps them engage with their legislators on issues affecting psychologists. Our messages for this session included supporting the Medicare Mental Health Access Act which adds psychologists to the “physician” definition and asking for protection for Medicaid expansion (for more information and to contact your legislator, go to http://capwiz.com/apapractice/home/) . For the first time in my recollection, delegates were encouraged to discuss social justice issues at their Hill visits, signaling a change toward a more integrated advocacy model.

Psychologists at the state and national level will continue to need strong, organized advocacy. Transparency and the opportunity for two-way communication will continue to be important. It will be critical for members to stay engaged and informed during this change process.

*This blog is not an official APAPO or APAPO CAPP message, but my personal take on APAPO/CAPP news.