Please participate in this important awards process by submitting materials for persons whom you think would be deserving awards recipients for Div. 37. Current members of the Div. 37 Board are ineligible. For all nominees, please submit a letter of nomination, curriculum vitae, two letters of support and other pertinent supporting materials as desired. The deadline for all nominations is January 31, 2022; details on the submission process are included below for each award.
Nicholas Hobbs Award
The Nicholas Hobbs Award is presented annually to a psychologist who exemplifies the ideals and devotion to child advocacy/policy. Hobbs was a charter member of Div. 37 whose life and work represented the values of the division. He was the first director of the John F. Kennedy Center for Research on Education and Human Development at George Peabody College, provost of Vanderbilt University (1967-75), and then director of the Center for the Study of Families and Children at the Vanderbilt University Institute for Public Policy Studies. He helped develop innovative research and training programs, and subsequent policy changes, for children with mental retardation and children with chronic illness. Hobbs’ work also extended to the Peace Corp where he was the first director of selection and research for the Corp. Hobbs’ work and contributions led APA to award him the Distinguished Professional Contributions Award and the Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest Award. He also served as president of APA. Psychologists with an EdD, PsyD or PhD, are eligible for the award. To nominate someone for the Nicholas Hobbs Award, please submit a letter of nomination, the nominee’s curriculum vitae, two letters of support and other pertinent supporting materials as desired via email to Div. 37’s president, Liz Gershoff. The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2022.
Child and Family Citizen Psychologist Award
This award is intended to recognize and showcase a Div. 37 member who contributes to their communities outside of their day-to-day professional duties. The award spotlights members who do not typically receive recognition for their service to their local, professional, national or global communities. In addition to a stipend, the awardee may have the opportunity to present a webinar discussing their work. To nominate someone for the Child and Family Citizen Psychologist Award, please submit a letter regarding how the nominee’s role as a psychologist has benefited society, the nominee’s current curriculum vitae, and two letters of support (with at least one from a community agency or organization that has benefitted from the psychologist’s efforts) to Div. 37’s member-at-large for advocacy, Mel Schneiderman.
Distinguished Contribution to Child Advocacy Award
The Distinguished Contribution to Child Advocacy Award is presented annually to a nonpsychologist who has made significant contributions to advocacy on behalf of children, youth and families. To nominate someone for the Child Advocacy Award, please submit a letter of nomination, curriculum vitae, two letters of support and other pertinent supporting materials as desired via email to Div. 37’s president, Liz Gershoff. The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2022.
The Diane J. Willis Early Career Award
The Diane J. Willis Early Career Award recognizes a promising early career psychologist who is working to advance public understanding of mental health and improve the well-being of children and families through advocacy, policy, and service. In addition to the recognition, the recipient receives a $2,000 award. The award is named after Diane J. Willis, PhD, to honor her life-long advocacy on behalf of children and families. Willis' work cuts across many areas including clinical child, pediatric, developmental and family psychology. Through her publications, clinical work, mentoring and teaching, she has changed policy at the local, national and international level. She has advocated for children's rights at the United Nations, developed programs on prevention and early intervention for Native American children living on reservations, and established services promoting the well-being of children with developmental disabilities, chronic illness, or a history of maltreatment. Psychologists with an EdD, PsyD or PhD, earned within the past 10 years are eligible for the award. This award is managed in conjunction with the American Psychological Foundation. To nominate someone for the Diane J. Willis Early Career Award, please submit a letter of nomination, curriculum vitae, two letters of support and other pertinent supporting materials as desired through the American Psychological Foundation portalopens in new window. The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2022.