Thanks Brian – and for those who’d like a little more context on this issue, please read on. There’s also a separate hard copy petition for WA residents only to sign, directed at your state parliament.  You can email Ken ROBINSON at [log in to unmask]  for a copy to print out, gather signatures and return.

 

Many of you will be aware of the latest challenge facing community psychology in Australia at present.  Although it seems a very inward-focussed issue, it has major implications, particularly for the survival of community psychology training here.  It involves the exclusion of CP (and health psychology) from endorsement of areas of specialist practice in psychology in Australia, as part of the new National Registration process due to take effect from July 1 - see below. 

 

We know that the whole issue of 'expert' claims to specialisation is a very conflicted one for our field, and we probably wouldn't go down this path except for the fact that the demise of Australia's only two training programs in CP would inevitably follow, and so in turn would that of the APS College of Community Psychologists itself (although we could still organise our collective selves in some form - it's the availability of CP training, and the ensuing loss of our particular contributions to the Australian health system and broader community, that's the primary issue).

 

We can give you more details if you wish, but what would be helpful right now is a click on the link to the petition (If the link doesn’t work directly, best cut and paste it into your browser and proceed from there.) 

 

The site is: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/endorse-community-psychology.html

 

This is an online petition which is directed to Hon John Hill, MP, who is Chair of the Ministerial Council which determines endorsement for the specialities in psychology.  We would greatly appreciate your using your networks to attract as many signatures as possible.

 

We would also welcome letters of support, preferably sent directly to the relevant health ministers, shadow ministers and local MPs, and copied to us. Letters from our overseas colleagues might focus on the status of community psychology in your country and what you know about Australian community psychology - the good bits of course J (and perhaps the futility of direct comparisons when each country’s system for denoting specialisations arises from its own history and political context).  It would also be great to receive letters or messages of support from any organisations that employ community psychologists or have found their work valuable, particularly in health contexts, since this is a health practice matter.  We can send you templates of letters that you can adapt to your particular perspective – some of these will be available on the Community College website (a couple are attached), but you can also find more generic information at http://www.psychology.org.au/about/representation/specialisation/ 

 

So let us know if you'd like any more information or if you feel ready to move into action mode straight away – but do add your name to the petition first.

 

Best regards, and thanks for your support

 

Heather (on behalf of the National Executive of the APS College of Community Psychologists)

 

 

 

 

hi all
Below is a link to an APS petition to support the College of Community Psychology. It takes only a minute to do it and it is self explanatory.
Brian

From: APS National Office [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, 20 May 2010 3:10 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: APS Matters, 20 May 2010




 <http://www.psychology.org.au>


       
       

20 May 2010

Dear Lisabeth,

Welcome to APS Matters, your fortnightly alert to the latest news and
information from the APS.



  <http://www.psychology.org.au/aps_matters/box_top.jpg>

       
 Prof Lyn Littlefield, APS Executive Director
<http://www.psychology.org.au/aps_matters/lyn.jpg> >From the Executive
Director

Federal Budget brings strong funding commitment for health
The substantial financial commitment allocated to health in last week's
Federal Budget indicated a serious investment in health reform for
Australia. In particular, the $1.2 billion boost to primary health care and
the establishment of a nationwide network of primary health care
organisations in local communities (to be known as Medicare Locals) will
provide the framework to enable all Australians to access integrated
multi-disciplinary health care. This injection of funds for primary health
care complements the recent COAG agreement on health reform involving the
establishment of Local Hospital Networks, and will provide a more
comprehensive approach to health service delivery. As the new primary health
care network is rolled out, we anticipate significantly expanded roles for
psychologists and other allied health professionals to support health
prevention programs, early intervention strategies, chronic disease
management and community-based mental health care.

The efficacy of the Budget health reforms was further supported by the
announcement of a substantial investment in establishing electronic health
records, which will streamline health care for consumers and increase
efficiency for all health professionals working within the health care
system. One area of health in which the Budget was disappointing was mental
health, and we await further announcements.

Lyn Littlefield, APS Executive Director

       

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In this edition:

1.     Register now for ICAP <>  2010! (incorporating the 2010 APS
Conference)

2.     Last chance to <>  register for XXth Congress of the International
Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology at early bird rates

3.     Sign a petition to <>  support endorsement of community and health
specialist psychologists

4.     Awards and prizes <>  update: APS College of Forensic Psychologists
awards

5.     4th International <>  Congress on Licensure, Certification and
Credentialing of Psychologists, Sydney 2-4 July 2010

6.     International <>  Professional Development Tour to Vietnam: January
2011

7.     Research opportunities <>


1. Register now for ICAP 2010! (incorporating the 2010 APS Conference)


A fantastic opportunity for Australian psychologists with over 3000
presenters representing more than 60 countries, the 2010 International
Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP) will encompass the global breadth and
depth of applied psychology through symposia, papers, debates, electronic
and short presentations, and an extensive range of workshops. Hosted by the
APS and the International Association of Applied Psychology, the congress
will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 11 to 16
July 2010. To view the preliminary program or to register online:

 <http://www.icap2010.com/> View ICAP 2010 website


2. Last chance to register for XXth Congress of the International
Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology at early bird rates


Don't miss out on registering for the XXth Congress of the International
Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP) at early bird rates! The
conference will be held from 7 to 10 July 2010 at the beautiful Melbourne
University campus, which provides world-class facilities, including the
opportunity for participants to live in excellent accommodation either on
campus or close by in a range of hotels. Early bird bookings are available
until Monday 31 May 2010. To register online:

 <http://www.iaccp2010.com/> View IACCP website


3. Sign a petition to support endorsement of community and health specialist
psychologists


The APS urges its members to sign a petition to request the Australian
Health Workforce Ministerial Council (AHWMC) to reconsider its decision to
exclude the areas of community psychology and health psychology from
specialist practice endorsement for psychologists under the National
Registration and Accreditation Scheme, and ensure that endorsement is
extended to these vital areas of psychology. Please note that the petition
has been organised by the WA Section of the Community College and utilises
an online Google petition engine.

 <http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/endorse-community-psychology.html>
View online petition


4. Awards and prizes update: APS College of Forensic Psychologists awards


For information on the criteria and selection processes for the 2010 APS
College of Forensic Psychologists awards, please click on the links below:

*       Maconochie Prize
<http://www.psychology.org.au/about/awards/maconochie/>  - closing date 1
June
*       APS College of Forensic Psychologists (NSW) Annual
<http://www.psychology.org.au/about/awards/forensic/>  Awards - closing date
1 June

 <http://www.psychology.org.au/about/awards/#s2> View other 2010 College
Awards


5. 4th International Congress on Licensure, Certification and Credentialing
of Psychologists, Sydney 2-4 July 2010


Brin Grenyer, Chair of the Psychology Board of Australia, and Trevor Waring,
Chair of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, invite APS members
to attend the 4th International Congress on Licensure, Certification and
Credentialing of Psychologists in Sydney in July. The theme of the Congress
is 'Developing a framework for international psychology standards' and key
leaders in international psychology will present. The Congress will provide
two and a half days of serious focus and discussion on psychology standards,
quality, ethics, testing, examinations, registration and accreditation
within Australia and the rest of the world. For all details, visit the
Congress website:

 <http://www.hprb.org/psych_congress> View Congress website


6. International professional development tour to Vietnam: January 2011


Places are filling fast for the international PD tour to Vietnam, with an
optional extension to Angkor Wat, Cambodia, in January 2011. Participants
will have opportunities to meet local psychologists, participate in many
psychology discussions, network with colleagues and collect at least 23 PD
points. To view the itinerary and to download the booking form:

 <http://www.psychology.org.au/pd/pd_trips/> View website


7. Research opportunities


*       Effects of fish oil supplementation on healthy volunteers and adults
with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)  
Healthy adult participants and adults with ADHD are required for a PhD study
assessing the effects of fish oil supplementation on cognitive performance
and ADHD symptoms.
View details <http://www.psychology.org.au/academic/research_opps/#fish>
*       The role of spirituality and religion in therapy: Australian client
and therapists' perspectives  
Participants are required for a study aiming to compare clients and
psychologists perspectives on spirituality and religion in therapy.
View details <http://www.psychology.org.au/academic/research_opps/#religion>




       

       

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View the latest recruitment  <http://www.psychxchange.com.au/JobSearch.aspx>
& business opportunities for psychologists.

       

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Upcoming Events and PD


29 June 2010: Assessment and intervention for school-age children with
Asperger syndrome (ACT)
View details and booking information
<http://www.psychology.org.au/Events/EventView.aspx?EventID=6275>


25 June 2010: Challenging behaviour: Getting things in perspective (NSW)
View details and booking information
<http://www.psychology.org.au/Events/EventView.aspx?EventID=6189>

       

21-26 June 2010: Hypnosis-guided imagery-relaxation-CBT clinical course (NT)

View details and booking information
<http://www.psychology.org.au/Events/EventView.aspx?EventID=5899>


19 June 2010: Emotionally-focused couples therapy with trauma survivors
(Qld)
View details and booking information
<http://www.psychology.org.au/Events/EventView.aspx?EventID=5904>


19 June 2010: Working with clients who use alcohol or other drugs (SA)
View details and booking information
<http://www.psychology.org.au/Events/EventView.aspx?EventID=6245>


9 July 2010: Working with divorced and stepfamilies: Love, marriage and
parenting (Tas)
View details and booking information
<http://www.psychology.org.au/Events/EventView.aspx?EventID=6236>


28 May 2010: Collaborative training for psychologists (Vic)
View details and booking information
<http://www.psychology.org.au/Events/EventView.aspx?EventID=6231>


23 June 2010: The treatment of depression: Behavioural activation theory and
practice (WA)
View details and booking information
<http://www.psychology.org.au/Events/EventView.aspx?EventID=5620>

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Search online for PD activities and events at APS
<http://www.psychology.org.au/Events/Default.aspx>  Events Calendar
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News & Media Releases





12 May 2010
 <http://www.psychology.org.au/news/media_releases/12may2010/> Budget
announcements applauded for strong funding commitment and focus on health




       

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