APA Council of Representatives (COR) Update

Luis Rivera, Ph.D., Rutgers University and Kim Case, Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University

Meeting- August 2019, Chicago

Race and ethnicity guidelines in psychology

New race and ethnicity guidelines were passed and will be included in the next edition of the APA Style Manual. The document includes 17 specific guidelines in four categories: fundamental guidelines, education and training, practice, and research. For example, the guidelines state that psychologists work to promote racial and ethnocultural responsiveness, equity, and justice.

Immigration and refugee policy statement- Council passed a policy statement intended to reflect a broad scientific, evidence-based consensus on the stress and trauma caused by immigration, family separation, and related issues to fill a perceived gap in APA policy and thus strengthen our immigration advocacy efforts. The policy statement explicitly states that:

• immigrants and refugees are at risk of psychological harm;
• the fear of deportation causes stress and can lead to serious health issues; and
• family separation is especially harmful.

Graduate student right to vote in APA- Council voted to extend voting rights within APA to graduate student members who have been enrolled for at least one year in a psychology graduate program (master’s or doctoral). Although graduate students pay dues, they do not have voting rights within the organization. This bylaws change must also be approved by the broader APA membership.

Legal liability, confidentiality, and HIV transmission- APA Council passed the Resolution on Legal liability Related to Confidential & Prevention of HIC Transmission. These guidelines outline legal responsibilities and specifically state legislation should not impose legal duty for psychologists to protect third-parties from HIV infection.

Support for low-income clients- APA Council passed a thorough document providing evidenced-based recommendations for working with low-income individuals. The Guidelines for Psychological Practice for people with Low Income and Economic Marginalization were developed by the Task Force on Developing Guidelines for Psychological Practice for People with Low-Income and Economic Marginalization, that assessed and synthesized information from reviews of scientific evidence and other sources, including the Report of the APA Task Force on Socioeconomic Status (APA, 2007). This Guidelines document builds on the 2007 report of the Task Force by providing recommendations for education, research, and clinical practice based on contemporary empirical support.

Council Diversity Work Group (CDWG)- Both SPSSI reps serve on the CDWG which advocates for inclusive Council culture, participation and representation, and policies and procedures related to diversity. Dr. Stephanie Fryberg’s interpretive power guiding questions for consideration during discussions and voting are now provided to each table during Council meetings and explicitly reviewed by APA President, Rosie Phillips Bingham, before our Council meeting. For example, Fryberg’s interpretive power questions include “Who is represented and who is not?” and “Does the evidence guiding our decisions speak to the experiences of people affected?” These questions continue to promote a COR culture shift and promote accountability and reflection.

Your Representatives

In the 2019-2020 year, Luis Rivera will be on temporary leave from APA COR while he works on Capitol Hill as a Congressional Fellow with AAAS. Fortunately, Janice Adelman will serve SPSSI well on APA COR during his absence. After five years on COR, Kim Case stepped down from her final year on COR as she begins a new administrative position at Virginia Commonwealth University. A one-year representative will be appointed in her place.

As always, we welcome your inquiries and comments in relation to APA Council work. Please feel free to contact us any time: Luis M. Rivera at luis@psychology.rutgers.edu and Kim A. Case at casek3@vcu.edu.

Your SPSSI family representatives to APA,

Luis and Kim

back to menu