This year, Division 31 initiated a meeting between our Division, the Council of Executives of State and Provincial Psychological Associations (CESPPA), the Committee of State Leaders (CSL), and the Caucus of SPTA Representatives within APA’s Council of Representatives. This may be the first time these groups have all come together to focus on our common goal of working for the betterment of our SPTAs with plans for ongoing meetings to maintain our connection to one another.
For those engaged with governance, or have maintained a watchful eye, there is an ongoing challenge in maintaining the SPTA voice in the larger APA world. We see examples where SPTAs have been overlooked, where APA may have acted without consultation with a local SPTA, and most recently recommendations to eliminate SPTA voices on APA’s Council of Representatives. I believe we’ve generally done well with our relationship with the APA’s Practice Directorate but have struggled to form stronger relationships with the other branches of APA. By strengthening our partnership with the other SPTA-oriented governance groups, we can better coordinate our efforts and demonstrate greater unity in our voices for SPTAs. As an example, CESPPA included Division 31 in presenting to APA’s Advocacy Coordinating Committee to further advocate for the role of SPTAs in APA and psychology’s larger advocacy agenda. We know that advocacy is local and that so much policy occurs at the state, provincial, and territorial level.
APA needs SPTAs and SPTAs need APA. APA needs SPTAs for grassroot advocacy and local presence when policy makers address issues of which psychology has expertise. Licensure and practice issues occur at the state, provincial, and territorial level and unfortunately the rise of anti-EDI legislation is occurring in these local jurisdictions more so than at the federal level. SPTAs need APA for access to grants, educational resources, and membership to further our collective efforts to use psychology for the advancement of the profession and public well-being, which includes opposition to unjust and ill-informed proposals.
A mistaken belief is that SPTAs are a formal part of APA. Many national professional associations have a “chapter” model where each state is a part of the national group. For us, SPTAs are each an independent organization. Although we maintain a close relationship with APA, APA itself does not have governance over a SPTA. This gives each SPTA the freedom to function as they decide, but also presents a challenge to continuously work on our relationship with APA, highlight our mutual need of each other, and advocate for recognition of the SPTAs role in our joint effort to advance psychology and psychologists.
APA needs SPTAs and SPTAs need APA. Our continued partnership is what advances the field and the profession at both the local and national levels. Should SPTAs lose our voice, psychology will lose its voice in shaping our society for the wellbeing of all. I hope this new effort in connecting the SPTA-oriented groups enhances our shared mission for the betterment of our field and our profession.