The SCRA Public Policy Committee in Action

The SCRA Public Policy Committee in Action: Advocacy, Collaboration, and Capacity Building

J’Vonnah Maryman Melissa Strompolis Kenneth I. Maton Douglas D. Perkins

Wichita State University

Children’s Trust of South Carolina

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Vanderbilt University

Keywords: Public Policy, Advocacy, SCRA, community psychology, Society for Community Research and Action, collaboration, capacity building

Author Biographies: J’Vonnah Maryman is a doctoral candidate in the Community Psychology Program at Wichita State University and holds a Masters of Public Health from the University of Kansas. She is a member of the Society for Community Research and Action’s Public Policy Committee. Melissa Strompolis, PhD, is Director of Research and Evaluation at Children’s Trust of South Carolina, an affiliate investigator at the Yvonne & Schuyler Moore Child Development Research Center in the College of Education at the University of South Carolina, and is past-chair of the Society for Community Research and Action's Public Policy Committee. Kenneth Maton, PhD, is Professor in the Department of Psychology and Affiliate Professor in the School of Public Policy at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is past-president of the Society for Community Research and Action, and past-chair of its Public Policy Committee. He is co-author (with Keith Humphreys, Leonard Jason, and Marybeth Shinn) of a forthcoming chapter on social policy for the Handbook of Community Psychology and author of a forthcoming book, Influencing Social Policy: Applied Psychology Serving the Public Interest. Douglas D. Perkins is Professor of Human and Organizational Development at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, USA. He is the Founding Director of the PhD Program in Community Research & Action and also teaches in the Masters Program in Community Development & Action and the B.S. Track in Community Leadership & Development.

Recommended Citation: Maryman, J., Stromopolis, M., Maton, K.I., Perkins, D.D. (2016). The SCRA Public Policy Committee in action: Advocacy, collaboration, and capacity building. Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice, 7(1S), pages 1-15. Retrieved Day/Month/Year, from (http://www.gjcpp.org/).

Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice

Volume 7, Issue 1S February 2016

Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice, http://www.gjcpp.org/

TheSCRAPublicPolicyCommitteeinAction:Advocacy,Collaboration,andCapacityBuilding

AbstractInterestinsocialpolicyworkhasbeenontheriseintheSocietyforCommunityResearchand Action (SCRA). SCRA’s Public Policy Committee aims to affect local, state, andnational policy on topics relevant to community psychology through advocacy,collaboration, and capacitybuilding.To communicate SCRA’sperspectiveonpressingsocialissues,thePublicPolicyCommitteecreatedapolicypositionstatementproceduretoaddressongoingproblemsandarapidresponseactionprocedureforurgentmatters(e.g., advocacycampaigns).Options fordisseminationofpolicy initiatives includeTheCommunityPsychologist(TCP),AmericanJournalofCommunityPsychology(AJCP),SCRAlistservs,andothers.Examplesofpositionstatementsapprovedorunderdevelopmentinclude mass incarceration, juvenile justice, immigration reform, and global climatechange. Examples of past rapid response actions include the areas of gun legislation,sequestercuts,andpsychologists’involvementintorture.ToexpandSCRA’spolicyreach,SCRAhaspartneredwithotherorganizationsincapacitybuildingefforts.Forexample,SCRAandthePublicPolicyCommitteepartneredwiththeSocietyforthePsychologicalStudyof Social Issues (SPSSI) to conduct aShort Course inPolicy Involvement and anadvocacytrainingdayonCapitolHill(UnitedStatesCongress).Finally,thePublicPolicyCommitteehasengagedinstrategicinitiativestoincreasethecapacityofSCRAmembersto engage in policy and advocacywork. Strategic initiatives include the annual SCRAPublicPolicy SmallGrantsProgram, studentpracticumpositionson thePublicPolicyCommittee,surveysofSCRAmembershipregardingpolicyandadvocacyengagement,andapolicytrackatSCRAbiennialconferences.ForatleasttenyearstheSocietyforCommunityResearchandActionhasseenariseininterestinsocialpolicywork(SCRA;Division27oftheAmericanPsychologicalAssociation[APA]).Thisisevidentinthesignificantincreaseinmemberinvolvementandpolicyactivitiesundertaken.Aspastco-chairsandagraduatepracticumstudentoftheSCRAPublicPolicyCommittee(hereinCommittee),wewilldiscussrecenteffortstoaffectpolicychangethroughadvocacy,collaboration,andcapacitybuilding.

Recently,theCommitteeembarkeduponanumberofnewmethodstospreadthereach

ofSCRA’spolicyinfluence.AdvocacyisanintegralcomponentoftheworkoftheCommittee.Throughthecreationofpolicypositionstatementsforongoingproblemsandrapidresponseactionproceduresforurgentmatters,theCommitteeisabletocommunicateSCRA’sperspectiveonpressingsocialissuesandmattersofpublichealthandwell-being.Policypositionstatementsprovidesummariesofscientificresearchandaccumulatedknowledgefrompracticeaccompaniedbyrecommendationstopolicymakersandthegeneralpublic(e.g.,SocietyforCommunityResearchandAction,2013).Thepolicypositionstatementsandrapid




responseactionsarepublishedinsummaryforminTheCommunityPsychologist(TCP)newsletter.PolicypositionstatementsarepublishedincompleteformintheAmericanJournalofCommunityPsychology(AJCP).Policypositionstatementsandrapidresponseactionscanincludeadvocacycampaignstohelpachievethedesiredchanges.Inadditiontopublicpolicystatementsandrapidresponses,anotherimportantCommitteeinitiativetoenhancepolicyinfluence,aswellascontributetocapacitybuilding,istheSCRA-fundedPolicySmallGrantsProgram,whichisalsoopentoapplicantsoutsidetheUnitedStates.

TheCommitteeincreasinglyexploreswaystoenhancecapacitybuildingandpolicyinfluencethroughcollaborationwithothergroups.Thishasincluded,forexample,partneringwiththeSocietyforthePsychologicalStudyofSocialIssues(SPSSI;Division9oftheAPA)toconductaShortCourseinPolicyInvolvementandanadvocacytrainingdayonCapitolHill(UnitedStatesCongress)inWashington,D.C.TheCommitteehasalsoworkedwiththeNationalPreventionScienceCoalition,agroupadvocatingforthegovernmentaladoptionofaPreventionModelforuseinmultipledomainsofpublicpolicy.

TrainingisanotherwaytheCommitteebuildscapacity.TheCommitteecreatedapolicypracticumprogramforstudentmembersofSCRA.Thepracticumgoalsare:1)toprovideopportunitiesforstudentstogainexperienceinaspecifiedpolicyarea,2)todevelopcorecompetenciesinpublicpolicyanalysis,development,andadvocacy,and3)todevelopatemplatethatcouldbeadoptedandusedbyfacultyofcommunitypsychologytrainingprogramstoenhancepolicyexperience.Finally,theCommitteeisdevelopingresourcesthatdepictthecriticalcomponentsofapolicyadvocacycampaign.Theseresourceswillbeavailabletostudents,

faculty,professionals,andthepublicviawww.SCRA27.org.

InthispaperwewilldiscusstheserecentdevelopmentaleffortsoftheCommitteetospreadSCRA’sinfluencetoaffectchangethroughpolicy,advocacy,collaboration,andcapacitybuildinginmoredetail.Presentedfromtheuniqueperspectiveofcommunitypsychologists,theseeffortscanbereplicatedbyotherswishingtoadvancelearningandexperiencesaroundpolicy.Butfirst,letusexaminetherelevanceofpolicyworktocommunitypsychology.

NeedforPolicyandAdvocacyWorkinCommunityPsychology

PolicymakingintheUnitedStatesisnotasimpletask.BogenschneiderandCorbett(2010)assertthat“policymakingisoneofthemostcomplexundertakingsknowntohumankind”(p.264).Policymakingisinfluencedbyprocessesandproceduresaswellasevidence.Theprocessoccursnotinisolationbutisinfluencedbyanecologycomprisingmultiplephases,levels,domains,sourcesofpower,andusesofevidence(Aber,Bishop-Josef,Jones,McLearn,&Phillips,2007;Bogenschneider&Corbett,2010;Kingdon,1984;Kraft&Furlong,2010;Maton,Humphreys,Jason,&Shinn,inpress;Phillips,2000).Thepolicycyclecanbeactivatedoninterrelatednational,state,andlocallevelsofgovernment(Kraft&Furlong,2010).

TheUnitedStateshasseenamultitudeofrecentsocialpolicyissuesatalllevelsofpolicymakingofinteresttocommunitypsychologists.TheseincludefederalpolicyseekingtoprovideequitableanduniversalhealthcarecoveragethroughtheAffordableCareAct;statelegislationencouragingemployersto“BantheBox”(removingthecriminalrecordcheckboxfromhiringapplications),thusincreasingopportunitiesforpersonsconvictedoffeloniestoattain




gainfulemployment;andlocalordinancestoprovidehousingand,asappropriate,treatmentforpeoplewhohavebeenhomelessorhavesufferedfromaddiction.Nomatterwhatthesocialpolicyissue,affectedindividuals,communities,andorganizations,whomaybepowerless,oppressed,vulnerable,andlackinga“voice”orrepresentation,maybecomewillingpartnersinpushingtheirpolicyagendasforward.Communitypsychologistsarewellpositionedtoassistintheseefforts(Matonetal.,inpress)andcanhelpprovideavoiceandparticipatorymechanismforchangeforvulnerableindividualsandpopulations.

Equippedwiththevaluesofsocialjustice,empowerment,citizenparticipation,andresearchskillsaswellasanunderstandingofecologicalframeworks,communitypsychologistsstrivetoenhancethequalityoflifeforindividualswithincommunities.Thisworkwouldbeincompleteifitdidnotincludeadvancingtheworkofpolicyandadvocacy.Advancingpolicyagendasisacriticalmechanismtoaffectchangeatthepopulationlevel(Kingdon,1984).

TheCommitteeseekstoaffectchangethroughpolicy,advocacy,collaboration,andcapacitybuilding.InitiallynamedtheSocialPolicyCommittee,itwascreatedin1989,byDeborahPhillipsandBrianWilcox,thefirstco-chairs.BasedonCommitteecolumnsintheTheCommunityPsychologistovertheyears,aprimaryactivityoftheCommitteeuntilrecentlyhasbeeneducational,informingmembersaboutsocialpolicyprocesses,socialissues,policydevelopments,andtheinvolvementofSCRAmembersinlocal,state,national,andinternationalpolicyendeavors.AnumberofdistinguishedSCRAmembers,manyofwhomhavebeenactivelyinvolvedinpolicychangeefforts,haveservedaschairsoftheCommittee,includingDeborahPhillips,BrianWilcox,TrudyVincent,Andrea

Solarz,CarolynFeis,AnthonyBiglan,BrianSmedley,SarahCook,SharonPortwood,StevenHowe,JenniferWoolard,PrestonBritner,JosephFerrari,StevenPokorny,andNicolePorter.

IthastakendecadesfortheCommitteetobecomeasdirectlyinvolvedinadvocacyeffortsonpolicymattersasitiscurrently,butanearlyturningpointwasthe1997BiennialConferenceonCommunityResearchandAction,heldinColumbia,SouthCarolina.Atthatconference,therewereseveralsymposiumsheldonpolicywork.Communitypsychologistsdescribedtheirpolicyengagementsatthelocal,state,andfederallevels,relatedtoaplethoraofissuesincludingchildprotectionandsupport,communitydevelopment,disabilityrights,HIV/AIDSandotherglobalhealthpolicyissues,homelessness,juvenilejustice,mentalhealth,sexualviolence,andwelfarereform.Whatwasmostgroundbreakingatthatconference,however,wastheopenandlivelydebateattheheavilyattendedbusinessmeetingoverwhetherSCRAshouldtakeamoredirectroleasanorganizationinpolicyadvocacy.

ThemostcontentiousissueraisedwaswhethertakingapublicstandoncontroversialissuescouldbedivisivetotheorganizationorjeopardizeitsnonprofitstatusoritsrelationshiptotheAPA.Thosequestionsstillariseasinstitutionalconstraints,buthavebeensubstantiallyaddressedinrecentyearsbytheCommitteecreatingclear,step-by-stepprocessesfordevelopingandvettingpolicypositionstatementsandmembercallstoactionrequiringapprovalbytheCommitteeandSCRAExecutiveCommittee,andinformingtheAPA’sPublicInterestGovernmentRelationsOffice(seebelow).




JudahViolaservedaschairforseveralyears,beginningin2011,withthemissionofre-energizingtheCommittee.Beginningin2011,theCommitteeembarkeduponanumberofnewandchallengingendeavors,includingpolicypositionstatements,rapidresponseactions,andasmallgrantsprogram,creatingavenuestospreadthereachofpolicyandadvocacywork.OverthepasttwoyearstheCommitteehasseengrowthinitsmembership.Currentlythereare104individualswhohavejoinedtheCommittee(i.e.,addedtothecommitteelistserv),with15-20activelyparticipatinginmonthlyCommitteeconferencecallsand/oremaildiscussions.

Gainingexperienceinpolicyworkcanbechallengingforcommunitypsychologistsinbothacademicandappliedsettings,andopportunitiesfortrainingfuturecommunitypsychologistsinpolicymaybelimited.Beforeinitiatingstepstoenhancecapacityinpolicyanalysis,organizing,andadvocacy,theCommitteeneededtoidentifyandunderstandtheneedsofSCRAmembership.In2012,theCommitteeconductedasurveyofSCRAmembers(279completedsurveys,approximately25%ofthoseontheSCRAlistserv)whichfoundthatrespondents(74%)viewedintegratingpolicyrelevantcourseworkintograduateprogramsandprovidingworkshopsortrainingsessionsatconferences(70%)ascriticalforbuildingcapacityaroundpolicyandadvocacywork.RespondentsalsofeltthatcollaborationwithanumberoforganizationstoexpandpolicyrelatedactivitieswasessentialtoSCRA’smission.AmongthoseorganizationsweretheSocietyforPreventionResearch(58%ofrespondents),SPSSI(57%),PsychologistsforSocialResponsibility(53%),andtheAPA(51%;Maton,Strompolis,&Wisniewski,2013).TheCommitteediscussedtheseandrelatedfindingsandidentifiedwaysto

addressthepolicyandadvocacyneedsofSCRA’smembership,includingmanyoftheinitiativesdiscussedbelow.

ExpandingourReach:BuildingCapacityforPolicyandAdvocacyWork

BelowwedescribeinmoredetailoureffortstobuildthecapacityofSCRAmembersforpolicyandadvocacywork.Twoprimarymethodsusedhavebeeninterdivisionalcollaborationsandthedevelopmentoftaskforcesandworkinggroups.

InterdivisionalCollaborations

PolicyWorkshop

OnJune30andJuly1,2013,theCommittee,SPSSI,theSocietyforPersonalityandSocialPsychology(SPSP),theSocietyforEnvironmental,Population,andConservationPsychology(SEPCP),andtheAmericanPsychology-LawSociety(AP-LS),withfinancialsupportfromanAPAinterdivisionalgrant,hostedahighlysuccessful,well-attendedpolicyworkshoponCapitolHill.Theworkshopincludedbothcommunicationsandapplicationscomponents.Thecommunicationsportion(Day1)addressedthevitalimportanceofeffectivetranslationofscientificfindingsforavarietyofnon-scientistaudiences.Thiscomponentfeaturedseparatesessionsonhowtocommunicatepsychologicalresearchtothegeneralpublic,topolicymakers,andinlegalsettings.Theapplicationscomponent(Day2)focusedonthemyriadofwaysthatpsychologistsapplypsychologicalresearchincommunitysettingsandin(federal)legislativerealms.Inaddition,someoftheothersessionsonthisdaypresentedinformationontrainingfellowshipssponsoredbytheAPAandothers,andalsoonpolicycareersingovernment,thinktanks,andmission-drivenadvocacyorganizations.Theworkshopalsofeaturedmanynetworkingopportunitiesduringwhichparticipantswithcommoninterestscould




meetandinteractinformallyacrossDivisions,careerstages,andresearchandsub-disciplinaryfoci.Inparticular,therewasanopeningreception,agroupdinner,andgrouplunchesandbreaksbetweensessions.

Theworkshopwashighlyanticipatedandexceptionallywell-received.Thevastmajorityofthe203applicationswerefromhighlyqualifiedcandidates.Ofthe44selectedparticipants,41acceptedtheinvitationtoattend.Atotalof14participantsreceivedtravelscholarshipsfromSCRAorSPSSI;thus,thevastmajorityofparticipantspaidtheirowntravelexpensesandtheregistrationfee($150)inordertotakepart.Ourexperiencesuggeststhereisastronginterestinthiskindoftraining,especiallyamonggraduatestudentsandearlycareerprofessionals.

Intheshort-term,attendees’enthusiasmforgreaterinvolvementinpolicyworkwasclear.Presentersweresimilarlyenthusiasticabouttheirparticipation.TheCommitteebelievesthecollaborationbetweenthesponsoringDivisionswaspositive,andthatitwillhelpbuildastrongfoundationforfuturejointprojects–including,potentially,APAConventionprogrammingandotherjointmeetings/workshops.

AdvocacyTrainingDayonCapitolHill

TheCommitteeco-sponsoredanAdvocacyTrainingDayonCapitolHill,heldonAugust6,2014.Thiseventbroughtover50psychologistsandgraduatestudentsontoCapitolHilltolobbyforpaidfamilymedicalleave.Theco-sponsorsincludedSPSSIandtheAPAPublicInterestGovernmentRelationsOffice(APA-PI).

ParticipantsspentthemorninginatrainingworkshopduringwhichtheylearnedaboutTheFamilyMedicalInsuranceLeaveAct(H.R.3712/S.1810)andabouthowtoeffectivelyadvocateonCapitolHill.TheythenspenttheafternoonmeetingwithstaffoftheirSenators

andRepresentatives(atotalofmorethan75differentoffices),askingthemtoco-sponsorthelegislationusingmanyoftheargumentssummarizedinaleave-behindsheetprovidedbythetrainers.

Figure1:ParticipantsinAdvocacyTrainingDayonCapitolHill

Theparticipantshada“funfilled”dayoflearning(SeeFigure1).Asnotedbyoneoftheparticipants:“Thetrainingemphasizedthatitispossibletohavefunwhileadvocatingforagoodcause–anditwasfun.Asweleftthetrainingtoheadtoourrespectivemeetings,wewereinvigoratedbythenumerouspsychologists,students,andaffiliateswhoworktoseethatourresearchstrengthensoursocietyanddirectlybenefitsourpeople”(Kurzbahn,Buckingham,&Mahdi,2014,p.14).

ThiswasasignificantaccomplishmentforSCRA,theCommittee,andourpartners,notonlybecausewebelieveintheimportanceofthelegislation(currentlyunderconsiderationinCongress),butalsobecauseoftheexperienceweprovidedtoourmembers,encouragingthemtocontinuetoengageinthelegislativeprocess.OrganizingthetrainingdaywasatrueactofcollaborationbetweenSPSSI,APA-PI,andtheCommittee.




TheCommitteeexpectstoworktogetherwithSPSSItoholdsimilareventsinthefuture.

ToolsforPractice

Aroundthetimethecompetenciesforcommunitypsychologypracticewerereleased,theCommitteebeganstrategicconversationstostrengthenengagementwithintheCommitteebymembersofSCRAandtobuildthecapacityofcurrentCommitteememberstotakepartinpolicyandadvocacyactivities.Aspartofthisdialogue,theneedwasnotedforpoliciesandproceduresforSCRAandCommitteememberstocommunicatepositionsonimportantsocialissuesandtodraftcalls-to-action.Thisresultedintheapproval(bySCRA’sExecutiveCommittee)ofthePolicyPositionStatementandtheRapidResponseActionsprocedures.Theprocedurescanbefoundatwww.scra27.org/what-we-do/policy/,andtheyoutlineboththecontentnecessaryforpositionstatementsandcalls-to-actionandtheprocessestogainapprovalfortheseactivities.

PolicypositionstatementscommunicateSCRA’sperspectiveonpressingsocialissuesandmattersofpublichealthandwell-beingthroughtheprovisionofclear,succinctsummariesofscientificresearchandaccumulatedknowledgefrompractice(Maryman,Maton,&Perkins,2014).Thesestatementsofferrecommendationsthatcanbeadoptedbypolicymakersorthegeneralpublic(seehttp://www.scra27.org/what-we-do/policy/policy-position-statements/).Whenissuesaretimesensitive,rapidresponseactionsallowfortheevaluationandadoptionofactionsthatcanbeengagedinbythemembership(Maryman,Maton,&Perkins,2014).CallstoactionthatweresubmittedandapprovedbytheCommitteeandtheSCRAEChaveaddressedsequestercuts(UnitedStates’budgetcutstoprograms

essentialforthehealthandwelfareofvulnerablecitizensandcommunities),gunlegislation(changestoUnitedStates’guncontrol,safety,andresearchlaws),self-helpsupportgroups(changestoAPApoliciesandproceduresontheinclusionofself-helpsupportgroupstoimprovehealthandwellness),andglobalviolenceagainstgirls(implementationofinternationalhumanrightsstandards).Twentyindividualsrepresenting16statescompletedthecalltoactionregardinggunlegislation(trackingwasnotavailableforthesequestercuts).AlthoughSCRAmembersparticipateinotheradvocacyactivities(e.g.,calls-to-actionfromtheAPA),theserapidresponseactionswerespearheadedbySCRAmembers.TheCommitteeiscurrentlyexaminingvariouscalltoactionplatformstoincreaseengagementwithSCRAmembersandtrackcalltoactionresponses.

SmallGrantsProgram

Withthedevelopmentofcommunitypsychologycompetencies(Dalton&Wolfe,2012),policyandadvocacyskillswereformallyrecognizedaspartofcommunitypsychologypractice.ThePublicPolicyAnalysis,DevelopmentandAdvocacycompetencystatesthatcommunitypsychologistsshouldhave“theabilitytobuildandsustaineffectivecommunicationandworkingrelationshipswithpolicymakers,electedofficials,andcommunityleaders”(Dalton&Wolfe,2012,p.12).Withtherecognitionofpolicyandadvocacyskillsasnecessaryforcommunitypsychologists,membersoftheCommitteerealizedtheneedforenhancedopportunitiesforSCRAmemberstoengageinpolicyandadvocacywork.TheCommitteeproposedandadvocatedforgrantfundstosupportpolicyandadvocacyactivitiesofSCRAmembers.TheCommitteesecured$15,000forannualgrantstosupportpolicyandadvocacy




activitiesofSCRAmembersandreleasedarequestforproposalsforsmallgrantsworthupto$5,000.Fifteensmallgrantshavebeenawardedsinceinceptionoftheprogramin2011,threeperyear,totalingcloseto$75,000(someproposalsrequestedunder$5,000).TheprojectsfundedbytheCommittee’ssmallgrantsprogramrepresentthediversityofSCRAmembershipandtheirfocusareasofinterest.Examplesoffundedprojectsincludeanevaluationofadvocacyeffortsofanonprofitorganizationservingchildrenandfamiliesinpoverty(Miles,2011);creationofapubliceducationandadvocacywebsiteoncostsofincarceration(http://chicagosmilliondollarblocks.com/;Lugalia-Hollon&Cooper,2012);amulti-methodapproachtoimprovingmobilityofwomenexperiencinghomelessness(Matson,2012);animplementationinvestigationandinterventionregardingtheAffordableCareAct(Boyd,2013);genderresponsivityinthejuvenilejusticesystem(Anderson&Davidson,2014);andaninternationalexaminationofananti-frackingmovementinBulgaria(Mihaylov,2015).

ThecreationofthesmallgrantsprogramhasbenefitedSCRAinanumberofsignificantways.First,astherecognitionofpolicyandadvocacyskillsascorecompetenciesforcommunitypsychologistscontinues,manyeducationalprogramsarelookingforwaystoengagecommunitypsychologystudentsinthepolicyandadvocacyarena.Infact,inthefirstfiveyearsofthesmallgrantsprogram,ninestudentshaveappliedforandreceivedgrantsforpolicyandadvocacyworkwithinandoutsideofacademicinstitutions(outof15totalfundedgrants).Second,thesmallgrantsprogramhasledtosignificantaccomplishmentsforthegrantees.Forexample,Martínez(2012)providedtwotechnicalreportstotheConnecticutStateDepartmentofEducation,presentedthework

atregionalandnationalconferences,andsubmittedapublicationtoAJCP.Additionally,StrompolisandBranham(2013)builtadvocacycapacitywithinastate-widecoalitioninSouthCarolinathatledtothepledgebyfourlegislatorstointroduceorco-sponsorlegislationtopreventchildpassengerinjuriesandfatalities.Finally,thesmallgrantsprogram,beyondbuildingthepolicy-relevantcapacityofSCRAmembers,hasprovidedanoutlettovoiceSCRAvalueswithinthepolicyandadvocacyarena.

StudentPracticum

The2012surveyhighlightedtheneedtoincreasepolicyskillsamongSCRAmembers.Inpartwiththatgoalinmind,inearly2013,then-PolicyCommitteeChairJudahViolaandMelissaStrompolis(thenastudentmemberandlaterChairoftheCommittee)developedthePublicPolicyCommitteeStudentPracticum.ThePublicPolicyCommitteeStudentPracticumwasdesignedtoprovideSCRAstudentswithopportunitiestoengageinpolicyandadvocacyactivitieswithstructuredsupportandguidancefromidentifiedmembersoftheCommittee.StudentswhoareselectedtoparticipateinthePublicPolicyCommitteeStudentPracticumcanreceivecreditfromtheiracademicinstitutions(communitypracticaareoftenrequiredbyprograms)andallowforthecustomizationofpolicyandadvocacyexperiencesthatalignwiththestudents’interests,goals,anddesiredexperience.

Twostudents(TaylorBishopScottfromtheUniversityofNorthCarolina-CharlotteandJ’VonnahMarymanfromWichitaStateUniversity)wereselectedtoparticipateintheinauguralpracticumin2013-2014andweresupervisedbytheco-chairsoftheCommittee,DougPerkinsfromVanderbiltUniversityandKenMatonfromtheUniversityofMaryland,BaltimoreCounty.Thestudentsengagedina




numberofactivities,includinganexaminationofsocialmediainthepolicyandadvocacyarena,contributingtoTCParticles(seeMaryman,Maton,&Perkins,2014;Scott&Wollman,2014;Scott&Maryman,2015),facilitatingcollaborationwithotherinterestgroups,andhostingawebinartoconnectwithotherstudentsinterestedinpolicyandadvocacy.Theirpracticumexperiencealsoaffordedthemtheopportunitytoserveasreviewersforthesmallgrantsprogram.TheCommitteecontinuedwiththestudentpracticumbyselectingthreestudentsinthe2014-2015academicyear.Thesestudentscontributedtothedevelopmentofcall-to-actionproceduresandpolicypositionstatements(massincarcerationandfamilydetention).TheCommitteeiscurrentlyreviewingapplicationsforthe2015-2016academicyear.

TaskForcesandWorkingGroups

AnintegralaspectoftheCommittee’sworkissupporting,collaboratingwith,andhelpingtodeveloptaskforcesandworkinggroupstoadvancepolicyandadvocacypriorities.Someofthetaskforcesandinterestgroupshavecompletedoraredevelopingpolicypositionstatementsand/orrapidresponseactions.Severalofthetaskforcesandinterestgroupsaredescribedbelow.

CollaborationwiththeNationalPreventionScienceCoalition

TheNationalPreventionScienceCoalitiontoImproveLives(NPSC)beganaspreventionscientistsandadvocatesjoinedtopursueacommonvision:theprioritizationofproactive,preventionstrategiesinpublicprogramsandpoliciesoverreactive,treatment-orientedpracticesthattendtogenerategreatercoststohumansufferingandtotaxpayers.NPSCisanationalnetworkofresearchers,policymakers,organizations,andadvocatesthatfocusesonthreegoals:1)

translationalscienceinthepreventionarea,2)enhancingprevention-relatedimplementationandsystemschange,and3)advocacy/policytopromotegovernmentaladoptionofa“preventionmodel”toreduceexpendituresandbenefitsociety(www.npscoalition.org).TheNPSChasdevelopedanumberofwrittenproducts,includingblogsandopinioneditorials,aswellashostedanumberofCongressionalbriefingsonCapitolHill(learnmoreatwww.npscoalition.org).SCRAPolicyCommitteememberTaylorBishopScotthasbeenactivelyinvolvedintheNPSCandservesastheliaisonbetweentheCommitteeandNPSC.TheNPSCandCommitteeworktogetheronopportunitiesthatarisebasedoncommoninterestsamongmembersandthecurrentpoliticalclimate.Forexample,thegroupsshareaninterestinadvocacyeffortsforreauthorizingandenhancingthefocusofempiricalapproachesintheJuvenileJusticeDelinquencyandPreventionAct(seebelow),whichhasbeentheprimaryfocusofRobinJenkins’work,whoalsoservesasamemberoftheNPSCandtheCommittee.

MassIncarceration

MassincarcerationrepresentsoneofthemostglaringandalarmingproblemsintheUnitedStatesandanareaofinteresttocommunitypsychologists.TheUnitedStatesleadstheworldinpercapitaprisonpopulation.In2012,MatonandPerkinssolicitedapolicypositionstatementonthisissue,andKeithHumphreysrespondedbydraftinganinitialpositionproposalonreducingthesizeoftheprisonpopulationintheUnitedStates.TheCommitteeenthusiasticallyapprovedthedevelopmentofapolicypositionstatement,andleadershipwastakenoverbyBradOlson.Bradproposed,formed,andleadsaSCRATaskForceonMassIncarceration(whichwasapprovedbyboththeCommitteeandthen-




SCRAPresidentFabricioBalcazar).TheworkoftheMassIncarcerationTaskForceculminatedinawell-attendedparticipatorytownmeetingonthetopicandstatementatthe2015SCRABiennialConference,andacollaborativelywritten,draftpolicypositionstatement.Thestatementcoversmanyaspectsofthiscomplexproblem.Theseincludethedegradingsocial,psychological,economic,andhealtheffectsofmassincarcerationattheindividual,family,andcommunitylevels;racialandotherdisparitiesinthecriminaljusticesystem(Alexander,2010);andspecificpolicyrecommendationsatthefederal,state(particularlyimportantforcriminallaw),andlocallevels.TheMassIncarcerationTaskForcehopestohavethestatementapprovedin2015,publishedin2016,andthenbeginaconcertedadvocacycampaignwithhelpfromtheAPA,SPSSI,andotherinterestedorganizations.

GlobalClimateChange

In2013,Maton,Perkins,andStrompolisexploredpolicyissuesofmutualconcernwithSPSSIleaders.Thediscussionsrevealedthatmembersofbothorganizationswereinterestedincollaborationonclimatechange.Priortothediscussionsrelevantworkhadalreadybeenconductedbymembersofthetwodivisions(e.g.,AmericanPsychologistspecialissue,May-June2011;aSPSSIpolicystatement;APACouncilResolution;andaspecialissueorganizedbySCRAEnvironmentandJusticeInterestGroupmembers:Riemer&Reich,2011).AcollaborativeGlobalClimateChangegroupdecidedtofocusnotonpoliciestopreventormitigateclimatechange(astheyjudgedthat“horse”tohavealreadyleftarapidlysinking“barn”),butinsteadtofocusonpoliciesandotherwaystohelpindividualsandcommunitiesadaptanddevelopresiliencytowardinevitableclimatechange.TheGlobalClimateChangegroupdevelopedaclimate

changeadaptationtheoreticalmodel,reviewedpastpolicystatements,andplanstodevelopanewpolicypositionstatementfocusedonindividual,community,andsocietaladaptationtoclimatechange.

Immigration

TherehasalwaysbeeninterestamongSCRAmembersaboutissuesrelatedtoimmigration.TheCommittee’snewinitiativetosupportpolicypositionstatementscreatedanopportunityforpursuingthistopic.TheprocessstartedaboutayearagoandledFormerSCRAPresidentFabricioBalcazartomobilizeanefforttogenerateapolicystatementonthetopic.BalcazarutilizedthesupportofPatriciaEsparza,aCommitteepracticumstudentwhowasinterestedinthetopicandBrintonLykes,acolleaguealsointerestedinimmigration.Lykesbroughttotheteamaveryexperiencedimmigrationlawyer,JessicaChico,andanothergraduatestudent,KevinFerreira.ThegroupdecidedtofocusthepolicypositionstatementontheincarcerationofundocumentedmigrantfamiliesintheUnitedStates.AdraftstatementwasreviewbytheAPAandapprovedbytheCommitteeandSCRA’sExecutiveCommitteejustastheObamaadministrationwasorderedbyaFederalcourttoclosemostofthefamilyprisonsthathavebeenopenedoverthelastfewyears.TheworkgroupwillcontinuetowatchthisissueevolveandhassubmittedthepolicystatementtotheAJCP.

JuvenileJustice

SCRAhasanumberofmemberswithexpertiseandpolicyexperienceintheareaofjuvenilejustice.Severalofthem,ledbyJenWoolardandCommitteememberRobinJenkins,areworkingonapolicypositionstatementrelatedtoreauthorizationofthefederalJuvenileJusticeandDelinquencyPreventionAct(JJDPA).Firstpassedin1974,




theJJDPAauthorizesanationwidejuvenilejusticeplanningandadvisorysystem,includingfundingfordelinquencypreventionandimprovementsinjuvenilejusticesystemprogramsandpractices.JJDPAwaslastreauthorized2002,withoutmajorsubstantivechanges.Thelastsubstantivereauthorizationwasin1992,whenafocusonracialdisparitieswasadded.Thepolicypositionstatementwillbuilduponthegrowingbodyofresearch-basedknowledgeinthejuvenilejusticearea,includingbutnotlimitedto,afocusonprevention,removalofjuvenilesfromadultjails,improvedmentalhealthandsubstanceabuseservices,andracialdisparities.

CommunityHealthWorkers

Since2014,VenonciaM.Baté-AmbrushasbeenparticipatingonmonthlyCommitteecallstoupdateitsmembersonthestatusofCommunityHealthWorkers(CHW)policy.Baté-AmbrusservesasthelinkbetweentheSCRACommunityHealthInterestGroupandtheCommittee.SCRAhasavestedinterestintheprogressofCHWpolicydevelopment,especiallyinlightoftheCommittee’sandtheEC’sapprovalofarapidresponseactionendorsingeffortstopassIllinoisHouseBill5412,abilltoimprovetheIllinoisCHWinfrastructurebyappointinganadvisoryboardtomakeworkforcedevelopmentrecommendations.ThebillwassignedintolawbyGovernorPatQuinnonJuly31,2014.Baté-Ambruscurrentlyservesasanun-appointed,communityrepresentativeontheIllinoisCHWAdvisoryBoardandaco-chaironitsWorkforceDevelopmentandBehavioralHealthCoreCompetencyworkgroup.Sheco-authoredanarticleintheJuly-Sept2015volumeoftheJournalofAmbulatoryCareManagemententitledManyIngredients,OneSublimeDish:TheRecipeforthePassageofIllinoisHB5412IntoLaw.Baté-Ambrushasalsobeenthechief

planner/coordinatoroftheRegionVGreatLakesCHWSummitheldinChicagoonOct30-31,2015.TheSummitconvenedCHWsandstakeholdersfromIllinois,Indiana,Ohio,Michigan,Minnesota,andWisconsinwhosharedbestpractices,sharpenedadvocacyskills,promotedmulticulturaldialogue,andexploredotherwaystostrenghtentheCHWworkforce.

LettertotheAPAonTorture

SeveralSCRAmembers,includingCommitteememberBradOlson,havebeeninvolvedineffortstoreversetheAPA’spolicyonpermittingpsychologists’participationinDepartmentofDefenseandCentralIntelligenceAgencynationalsecurityinterrogations.AlthoughthathasnotbeenanissuetheCommitteehasbeenasdirectlyinvolvedin,ifthereisacall-to-action,rapidresponseactionrequests,orpolicypositionstatementsdeveloped,theCommitteewilllikelybedrawnintothoseprocessesmoredeeply.Recently,theECsentalettertotheAPAsharingthedivision’sconcernsinresponsetotheHoffmanReport(http://www.scra27.org/who-we-are/apa/),andBradandotherswereactivelyinvolvedinadvocacyactivitiesattheAPAconventionthatcontributedtosweepingchangesinAPApoliciesandprocesses,includingthebanningofpsychologists’participationinnationalsecurityinterrogations.

Discussion–FutureDirections

Withinthepolicyarena,communitypsychologistshavecontributedtosocialchangethrougheffectiverelationshipbuilding,communication,strategicanalysis,anduseofresearch(Matonetal,inpress).Eachofthesecriticalelements,inturn,hasprovedintegraltotheworkoftheSCRAPolicyCommittee.Takentogether,theyhavehelpedtopromoteacommonagendaandasetofinitiativeswiththepotentialto




influencepoliciesandpracticesthatimpactcommunities,groups,andindividuals.Thetaskforces,workinggroups,rapidresponses,policystatements,grants,studentpractica,andothercapacitybuildingeffortsdescribedabovehaveprovidedanumberofopportunitiesforthePublicPolicyCommitteetoexpanditspolicyreachandimpact.Inthepast,aswithmostvoluntarygroups,theactivityleveloftheCommitteehaswaxedandwaneddependingontheinterestofmembersandavailabletimeoftheChair.ThecurrentCommitteeiscommittedtomaintainingand,ifpossible,increasingthemomentumforSCRApolicyandadvocacyworkandimpact.

OneareaforfutureworkinvolvespotentialcollaborationbetweentheCommittee,theSCRAPreventionandPromotionInterestGroup,andtheNPSCtosupportanefforttoadvanceAffordableCareActregulationsfornonprofithospitalsthatrequirethehospitalstospenddollarson"communitybenefit"projects.Thecommunitybenefitprojectsarenotclearlydefinedbutcouldpresentopportunitiesforcollaborativeworkthatincorporatepolicyand/oradvocacycomponents.AsecondareaiscollaborationwiththeSCRACouncilforEducationPrograms(CEP).CEPisinterestedinenhancingtheopportunitiesforgraduatestudentsinourtrainingprogramstogainfurthereducation,competence,andexperienceinpolicywork.TheCommitteeplanstoworkcloselywithandcontributetoCEP’sworkinthisimportantarena.Toaddressthepotentialfortheseandrelatedactivitiesto“fallthroughthecracks”,theCommitteehasidentifiedliaisons(membersoftheCommittee)tocontactandattendmeetingsoftheNPSCandCEP.TheliaisonsnotonlyreportonactivitiesofthegroupsbutalsoidentifyareasforpotentialcollaborationwiththeCommittee.

YetanotherarearepresentingbothgreatprogressbutalsofuturepotentialisthePolicypageontheSCRAwebsite(http://www.scra27.org/what-we-do/policy/),whichhasbeengreatlyimprovedasaresourceforpolicytrainingandadvocacywork,thanksespeciallytotheeffortsofMichaelBrubacherandJeanHill.Somenewwebresourcesinclude:1)autobiographicalprofiles,2)successstoriesandadvicefromSCRAmembersengagedinpolicywork(particularlyhelpfulforstudentsandearlycareercommunitypsychologists),3)apageofideasandinformationonhowtogetinvolvedandbeaneffectiveissueadvocate,compiledbyRebeccaRodríguezandTaylorBishopScott,4)avideorelatedtotheSCRApolicypositionstatementdraftedbyLeonardJason,and5)variouslinkstoimportantresources(e.g.,informationfrompastSCRApolicyworkshops,externalpolicywebsitesandblogs,policyinternshipsandfellowships,policyandadvocacytermsanddefinitions,policycoursesyllabi,relevantbooksandwebsites,andthereportofthe2012Surveynotedabove).SimilartotheNPSCandCEP,theCommitteehasaliaisontoSCRA’sWebsiteCommitteetoassistwithimprovementsforpolicy-andadvocacy-relatedengagement.TheCommitteealsokeepsthewebsiteasaregularagendaitemtomonitorandtrackideasandchanges.Lookforupdatesandnewresourcesonthewebsiteinthefuture!

Mostimportantly,theCommitteeneedsmemberstostepforwardwithideasforpolicyinitiatives,rapidresponseactionrequests,policypositionstatements,andcapacitybuildingopportunities.TheCommittee’sfuturevitalityandcontributionstosystemandpolicychangewilldepend,asalways,ontheactiveinvolvementofabroadspectrumoftheSCRAmembership.Tothatend,Committeemembersconsistentlyseek




newopportunitiestoengagememberstoserveontheCommittee.Thisoutreachincludesrespondingtopolicy-andadvocacy-relatedemailsontheSCRAlistserv,talkingtointerestedmembersatregionalandnationalconferences,andpromotingtheaccomplishmentsandactivitiesoftheCommittee.Comejoinus!

Conclusion

Policyresearch,analysis,andadvocacybyindividualcommunitypsychologistsintheUnitedStatesandaroundtheglobehavebeengoingonfordecades(Matonetal.,inpress).ThatiswhyitissurprisingthatactivepolicyworkbySCRAasaninstitutionissucharelativelyrecentphenomenon.ThePublicPolicyCommitteewascreatedmanyyearsago--andhasbeenmoderatelyactiveattimes(e.g.,highlightingtheappliedpolicyworkofTomWolffandothers);however,ithasneverbeenactiveinasustainedfashiontotheextentthathasoccurredoverthepastthreeorfouryears,startingwithJudahViola’schairingoftheCommittee.Policyworkistimeconsumingandcanbethanklessattimes,buttherewardsaregreatintermsofbothpersonalandprofessionalsatisfaction,andincludehavinganimpactbeyondthetypicallevelofanindividualstudy,program,orotherintervention.Influencingchangeatthecommunity-wide,city,state,ornationallevelsrequiresextensiveeffortandrelationshipbuilding,collaborationswithmultiplegroups,persistence,andalong-termtimeperspective.SCRAandallnationalandinternationalcommunitypsychologyorganizationsshouldbeevenmoredeeplyandactivelycommittedtosuchworkoverthelong-term.TheforegoingactivitiesandresourcesprovidesomeexamplesofhowtheCommitteeisbeginningtoliveuptothatcommitment.

Acknowledgements.Theauthorsofthisarticlewouldliketothankthefollowingindividualsfortheirreview,thoughts,orcontributionstothecontent:FabricioBalcazar,VenonciaM.Baté-Ambrus,RobinJenkins,TaylorBishopScott,JudahViola,DavidLounsbury,DarcyFreedman,andGiovanniAresi.

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The SCRA Public Policy Committee in Action

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