It’s time to think about Div. 37 submissions for next year’s convention on August 4-6, 2022, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As of now, the convention will be held in person with some virtual elements. This will be an exciting opportunity to reunite as a field and network with fellow advocates for children and families.
The division is interested in symposia, skills-building sessions and posters, in addition to collaborative programs with other divisions. We also invite graduate students and early career professionals (within seven years of doctorate) to submit abstracts for a Data Blitz session (please note “Please consider for Data Blitz” at the bottom of your abstract). Submissions are due January 10, 2022.
President-elect Christina Rodriguez, PhD, has set the following divisional themes for 2022:
- Prevention of violence against children: Div. 37 and the Section on Child Maltreatment are interested in proposals that focus on preventing violence against children in the home, in schools and in communities. We welcome presentations on interventions from a variety of approaches (individual-level, group-level, community-level or policy-level).
- Effects of the pandemic for children, youth and families: As the COVID-19 pandemic has persisted, families continue to grapple with long-term effects and draw on areas of resilience. Div. 37 invites proposals that take empirical approaches to identifying ways that the COVID-19 crisis may affect children, youth and families during the pandemic and long-term, beyond the pandemic, while identifying areas that may represent strengths.
- Innovations in child and family practice: Div. 37 welcomes proposals that describe or evaluate innovative ways to intervene in the lives of children and families to promote their mental health and wellness. Interventions can be at the individual-level, group-level, community-level or policy-level.
- Interconnections among practice, policy and research: Many members of APA work at the nexus of practice and research, practice and policy or research and policy. Div. 37 invites proposals that describe successful efforts to integrate any two, or all three, of these key areas of the field of psychology.
- Diversity challenges and opportunities for children, youth and families: Div. 37 is interested in proposals that report on systemic obstacles and on areas of resilience for marginalized communities. Proposals that approach the above four themes from a social justice and diversity perspective are especially welcomed.