Division 20 News: INFO: Committee on Children, Youth and Families 2012 Call for Nominations

From Keith Cooke, kcooke@apa.org:

CYF Call for Nominations (2012-2014)

The Committee on Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) is anticipating two vacancies in 2012. CYF welcomes nominations from individuals interested in linking research and policy for children and families within APA and the profession. The Committee is particularly interested in candidates with substantial expertise and demonstrated experience in applying psychological knowledge to the well-being and optimal development of children, youth, and families; and in issues advancing psychology as a science and profession in the area of promoting health and human welfare. Candidates are sought who have particular expertise in contemporary issues facing children, youth, and families in the context of their socioemotional and cognitive development and mental health. Candidates who have particular interest in culturally and linguistically diverse, understudied, underserved and diverse populations are especially encouraged to apply.

Members are expected to participate in a targeted project directly related to CYF’s work and mission and to APA as a whole. The project is to be completed during their three-year term on the Committee. Some examples of topics previously addressed include immigrant children, youth, and families; school drop-out prevention; psychological implications of disasters; early mental health interventions; violence against children in the family and community; child maltreatment; the mental health needs of all children and adolescents; systems of care; bullying and violence in the media; homeless youth and families; spirituality and resilience; and promotion of healthy active lifestyles and prevention of obesity in children and youth. Areas of interest to the Committee at present include education, mental health, and health disparities; suicide prevention; cultural diversity; and social media. Potential candidates are encouraged to visit the CYF website (http://www.apa.org/pi/families/committee) to learn more about CYF’s mission and prior initiatives.

The Committee places a priority on maintaining representation within the Committee's membership that reflects the diversity of psychology and society (e.g., ethnicity, culture, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, geographic location, and those who are employed less than full time). The candidates selected to serve on the Committee will serve for three years and will be required to attend two Committee meetings a year in Washington, DC, with expenses reimbursed by APA, and to participate in conference calls. The successful candidate is expected to attend, if possible, the informal CYF meeting held during the APA convention at the member's own expense. In addition, members are expected to work on projects and Committee business between meetings.

Each candidate is asked to submit:

(1) a letter indicating his/her willingness to serve;

(2) a brief statement describing the applicant’s expertise and interest in one or two contemporary issues facing children, adolescents and families that they would bring to the Committee;

(3) two letters supporting their nomination; and

(4) a current curriculum vita.

Nomination materials including a letter from the candidate indicating a willingness to serve, an issues statement, two letters supporting their nomination, and a current CV must be received by Monday, August 29, 2011. Nomination materials received after August 29 will be held for consideration the following year. Material may be sent to CYF Nominations, c/o Amani Chatman, Public Interest Directorate, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC, 20002-4242, by email achatman@apa.org or fax (202) 336-6040.