Connecticut
The Ethnic Diversity Task Force (EDTF) is finalizing a bilingual and multilingual mental health directory of color that will be on the Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) website by October 2018. EDTF co-sponsored, along with the CPA, the urban trauma workshop/training — six continuing education (CE) credits — with EDTF presenter Maysa Akbar, PhD, ABPP, chief urban specialist and author of “Urban Trauma, A Legacy of Racism.” Jan Owens-Lane, PhD, EDTF chair, and Sita Nadathur, MA, advanced graduate student at GIPP, University of Hartford presented on cultural sensitivity at Behavioral Health Consultants, LLC, in Hamden, Connecticut on April 4, 2018. Both of them will hit the national stage with a presentation at the annual Diversity Challenge Conference at Boston College entitled “Cultural Sensitivity in Recruiting and Supporting Minority STEM Students” on Oct. 19, 2018. Also, both will present on the topic “Cultural Sensitivity in Assessing, Diagnosing and Treating Minority Patients” at the annual Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) convention, Oct. 26, 2018.
Florida
New Annual Diversity Committee survey: Results and Future Directions. Our first annual survey was used to collect information from Florida Psychological Association (FPA) members and nonmembers about their multicultural knowledge, skills and attitudes as well as pertinent information that will help FPA identify demographic information and the inclusion of diversity in local and regional FPA CE events. A critical piece of this survey was to assess the inclusion of diversity topics for chapter CE events and regional CE events in order to facilitate reinstating FPA’s ability to offer APA approved CEs.
While the vast majority of participants indicated that sociocultural issues are very or quite a bit important to them when interacting with staff, trainees/supervisees, colleagues and patients/clients, it is still alarming that there are so many who still see these issues as somewhat, a little, or not at all important. Sociocultural issues are always present for those who identify as minorities and play a significant role in minority stress.
There were eight participants who did not think it was important for psychologists to receive diversity training. Our work with minority populations requires White clinicians to be aware of the impact of such dismissive views about the minority experience. When working with people of color or other marginalized people, to see their experiences reduced to a view of what is politically correct only further invalidates them. The final question of our survey asked if participants would be opposed to a mandatory diversity CE if the 1-2 required CEs could be deducted from general CE credits. Out of 94 responses, 68 (72.34 percent) indicated they would not be opposed. We are looking to other SPTAs who have been successful for guidance in this process.
Georgia
We started the year off with an engaging episode viewing and discussion of the show, "The Handmaid's Tale" that was hosted by the Committee for Women and Girls. The conversation included important themes regarding women, oppression and politics. The Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee hosted a screening of the movie, "Black Panther" followed by discussion. The discussion included conversation about the importance of this movie, including several other themes such as intersectionality and representation. As always, the annual Diversity Brunch was a huge success and fostered networking and collaboration among the psychological community. Antonio E. Puente, PhD, immediate past president of APA, was the featured speaker and presented on the topic, “Diversity in Leadership: Challenges, Opportunities and Nuances.”
The Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee held a happy hour meet and greet that was attended by 21 mental health providers in the community who provide LGBTQ-affirming care. The committee also disseminated information regarding the national Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
Finally, two of the Diversity Directorate’s committee chairs presented diversity-related topics at the Annual Meeting. Adriana Flores, PhD, presented the topic, "Ethical and Cultural Considerations in Psychological Testing as Part of Clinical and Forensic Evaluations" and Deauna Shauri-Webb, PsyD, presented "Creating Transgender-Inclusive Spaces within Your Work."
Nevada
The Nevada Psychological Association's (NPA) Diversity Committee, chaired by Sandra Gray, PhD, is currently working toward the preparation of an initiative to require diversity CE credits as a licensing renewal requirement for psychologists. This requirement would be part of the current 30 CEs required, rather than add additional CEs. Since attending the 2018 Professional Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., as the diversity chair for Nevada, and becoming aware that there are very few states requiring diversity CEs, this initiative became a very important one considering the importance of cultural competence in our field and the growing diversity of our community, state and country. NPA's Executive Board members are currently beginning to identify stakeholders in our state and reach out to states who have already implemented these requirements to add new language to the Nevada Revised Statutes. NPA's diversity chair will be meeting with NPA president, Sarah Ahmad, PsyD, on Sept. 28, 2018, in order to develop a plan and outline this initiative with the hope that once the initiative is presented at the 2019 strategic planning meeting, we could move forward with drafting and presenting this new bill. NPA's CE committee has fully supported this initiative to increase diversity training by presenting on a diversity topic for NPA's annual May conference.
New Hampshire
Our committee work has been and continues to be focused on advocating for equality through supporting legislation that protects diverse populations. Most recently we supported inclusion of gender identity in the state's protections from discrimination. Currently we are advocating for psychologists to be added to the Department of Motor Vehicles rules for our clients to be able to change their gender marker on their driver's license or nondriver ID.
Ohio
In our recent election, Elizabeth Harris, PhD, was elected vice president for diversity. Maria Espinola, PsyD, will be the 2018-19 Diversity Committee chair.
Vermont
As a very small state association, Vermont has not had a volunteer to chair its Diversity & Social Justice Committee for several years. We are pleased and grateful to announce that Andrew D. Blair, PsyD, has agreed to take the position of chairperson of that committee, which has a seat on the Vermont Psychological Association board. He is currently defining the committee and its work and is recruiting members to join the committee so that we can highlight and use the knowledge and practice of psychology to address diversity and social justice issues.