Do you know a colleague who should be recognized? Please participate in this important awards process. The deadline for each of the nominations is in January 2025. Details on each award appear below.
Diane J. Willis Early Career Awardopens in new window
(Due January 10)
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. The Award is named after Willis 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. Honorarium of $2,000 award and travel funds for APA Convention. Psychologists with doctorate earned within the past 10 years are eligible. Managed with the American Psychological Foundation, nomination letters, nominee CV, 2 letters of support. Other pertinent supporting materials can be uploaded.
Nicholas Hobbs Award
(Due January 10)
The Nicholas Hobbs Award is presented to a Division 37 member and psychologist who exemplifies the ideals and devotion to child advocacy/policy. Hobbs was a charter member of Division 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 intellectual disabilities 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. See prior recipients. In addition to an honorarium, the awardee receives travel funds for APA Convention. Division 37 members who are psychologists with a doctorate are eligible. Please submit a letter of nomination, the nominee’s CV, two letters of support, and other pertinent supporting materials as desired via email to Division 37 President Paula Fite.
Child and Family Citizen Psychologist Award
(Due January 10)
This award is intended to recognize and showcase a Division 37 member who contributes to their communities outside of their day-to-day professional duties. In addition to an honorarium, the awardee may have the opportunity to present a webinar discussing their work. See prior recipients. To nominate someone for this Award, please submit a letter on how the nominee’s role as a psychologist has benefited society, the nominee’s CV, and two letters of support (with at least one from a community agency or organization that benefitted from the psychologist’s efforts) to Division 37’s Member-at-Large for Advocacy, Sonia Rubens.
Distinguished Contribution to Child Advocacy Award
(Due January 10)
The Distinguished Contribution to Child Advocacy Award is presented annually to a NON-psychologist who has made significant contributions to advocacy on behalf of children, youth, and families. In addition to an honorarium, the awardee receives travel funds for APA Convention. See prior recipients. To nominate someone for this award, please submit a letter of nomination, the nominee’s CV, two letters of support, and other pertinent supporting materials as desired via email to Division 37 President Paula Fite.