Summarize how your CV demonstrates your commitment to the public interest, generally, and to social justice specifically. You may choose to include: research, publications, public service, advocacy and APA governance activities related to public interest issues.
In 2009, my Division 31 (State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Association Affairs) presidential initiative was to establish the Diversity Leadership Development Workshop. I continue to organize and fund-raise for the program which occurs every two years and has the goal of assisting ethnic minority psychologists to advance into leadership positions within their SPTA. Sixty-nine psychologists of color have completed the program; many have progressed into leadership positions within their SPTA and APA (including Council of Representatives and Board of Directors).
I serve on the Advisory Board of the Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology (LIWP), empowering mid-career women psychologists to advance professionally while addressing the demands of their personal lives.
In addition to these two formal leadership training programs, I continue to mentor ethnic minority psychologists.
While serving as at-large member of the APA Board of Directors and later as Recording Secretary, I requested the Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest (BAPPI) and its committees as my liaison assignment. I served as BAPPI liaison for six years. BAPPI assures that psychology serves the public interest and advances social justice, health and well-being for all. I was an active, vocal advocate for BAPPI and its committee agendas before the BOD and COR and helped strategize when requested and/or when helpful. My liaison work with BAPPI was harmonious with my commitment to diversity, social justice and my belief that it is critical if we are to solve concerns facing society.
In addition, while serving on the APA Board of Directors, I was the liaison to The Alliance of National Psychological Associations for Racial and Ethnic Equity (The Alliance). The Alliance is comprised of national psychology organizations committed to the promotion of communication, collaboration, critical consciousness, and strategic actions and projects. The Alliance maintains a commitment toward social justice, racial equity, and cultural diversity. I was the Board representative from 2013-2018. I was an active member of the Alliance and contributed to obtaining and maintaining a positive and collaborative relationship between APA leadership and the leadership of the Ethnic Minority Psychological Associations.
My commitment to social justice also is evidenced in my community involvement. Specifically, I consistently work to ensure that Boards on which I serve equally benefit all members of society, including LGBTQ individuals. With that in mind, I made the decision to serve on the Board of Chris 180 (formerly known as ChrisKids) and served from 2008-2013. I joined this particular Board because of its commitment to the way they treat ALL youth in the program. Chris 180 is known for being one of the first organizations to openly serve LGBTQ youth in the late 80’s. In 2001 they opened the first program in the Southeast to serve homeless youth with targeted outreach to Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth. From its inception, Chris 180 has always helped ALL homeless youth, communicating acceptance and love, and specifically welcoming inclusion to LGBTQ youth. Close to 65% of their adoptions are to LGBTQ parents. They are proud of the fact that they were first to place transgendered children in the group homes of their identified gender and have been a key partner in advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ youth.
I also served on the Board of 3Keys (formerly Project Interconnections), whose mission is to provide permanent housing for homeless individuals while treating their mental illness.
2. What will you do if elected to President, to promote public interest issues? What do you consider the main public interest concerns that you would address?
Although I am still fleshing out details, I am committed to two areas as Presidential initiatives:
(1) Integrated care for the underserved and marginalized populations. Because of classism, lower socio-economic conditions, logistical challenges, and stigma, the barriers to health care can seem insurmountable for some populations. As an independent practitioner I have flexibility and latitude to advocate for health services and to actively collaborate interprofessionally in ways I could not do in other settings. Many of my clients have disabilities, workplace injuries, and chronic pain and are people for whom the health systems failed. Because I have no externally imposed protocols, I can do a small part in reducing health disparities through patient education, focusing on life barriers, and attending to important barriers that may never have been even explored before. My integrated care initiative will incorporate my model of education, training, and practice, to bring social justice, reduce health disparities, and offer a way to bring health care to marginalized populations. This addresses poverty, underserved populations, and health disparities, issues of major concern to the Public Interest.
(2) Serious mental illness (SMI). This population is among the most marginalized and underserved. I believe that we have much to offer in working with this population, and that all of psychology can make a difference. Psychology has not found a way to include these individuals in the mainstream access to health care. The fee structure for practice has significantly impeded access. A new model of care is past due, one that will involve community practitioners in breaking down the barriers for this population. In APA, I would work with the Task Force on Serious Mental Illness and Severe Emotional Disturbance (TFSMI/SED). With both initiatives there is much work to be done to have desired impact, and I would welcome the collaboration and scholarship of my colleagues.