There is a long history and lot of people and organizational support behind this development. Here are some highlights of that support. I apologize in advance for not being able to list everyone, both because of the sheer numbers and my lifelong spotty memory for coming up with such lists.
Division 20 and 12/2 have been involved in this for decades. PLTC, CONA, and COPGTP have been supportive since they came on the scene.
George Niederehe led the long process that resulted in proficiency status. Much of the first specialty application (2004-05) was copied (with his generous permission) from that effort. He also provided invaluable consultation in the process.
The APA Education Directorate has been very supportive throughout with consultation and money: Cynthia Belar, Paul Nelson, and Cathi Grus.
The specialty application would not have succeeded on this second submission without the Pikes Peak Training conference. LOTS of people were involved in the planning, executtion, participation, and writing up the results. Michele Karel was co-chair and a lead editor in the follow up writing. Sara Qualls handled the local arrangements.
The revised application was prepared by a group that included myself from COPGTP, Suzanne Meeks from 12/2, David Powers from Div 20, and Erika Falk from PLTC.
Finally, I have to say that in terms of this going through CRSPPP and APA Council, we were aided by a general zeitgeist of concern with ambiguities in the specialty and proficiency system, with the fact that child psych was a specialty and geropsych wasn't often being mentioned by people not identified with our field. It's the only time in the past 30+ years that I can recall geropsych issues being advocated by people who were not geropsych themselves.
Michael Duffy serving on CRSPPP was helpful too!
And again, apologies to all those who played important roles who are not listed by name above,
Bob G. Knight, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Davis School of Gerontology
The Merle H. Bensinger Professor of Gerontology
Professor of Psychology
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191
Ph: 213-740-1373
