August 2021 | ANA Equity & Advocacy Bulletin by Rowena Ng, PhD
This past year has been challenging for many psychologists, healthcare providers, academic faculty, school staff, and families we serve, given the changes in childcare and school instruction due to COVID-19. As children, students, and trainees are returning back to school, we are yet again facing a critical transition period with many unknowns. In particular, minority children, while often considered overrepresented in special education often are underrepresented in access to and provision of special education services. We highlight upcoming events focused on discussions regarding disparities in access to educational and healthcare services.
IN HONOR
- Janice Mirikitani Glide (1941-2021): Japanese American dancer, poet and activist who was in the Arkansas internment camp during World War II. She fought institutional racism, and advocated for women and those in poverty, through literature and activism; and developed many programs for the poor and homeless as founding president of the GLIDE Foundation in San Francisco, CA.
NEWS/HIGHLIGHTS
- Sunisa “Suni” Lee becomes the first Hmong American to compete in the Olympics and the first Asian woman to win the gymnastics all-around on 7/29/21.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Returning to School: Education Disparities and Assessment Considerations is a two-part event that will be hosted by the ANA Advocacy Committee. This series involves presentations and opportunities for discussions regarding the transition back to school and the growing gap in educational resources for minority children. The first webinar (August 24th, 5PM EST) is directed towards professionals (Registration: bit.ly/2WTTIZP). The second webinar (August 31st, 5PM EST) is directed towards caregivers/parents and offers them an opportunity to ask questions to experts in this area (Registration: bit.ly/3fzsf6l).
RESOURCES
National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) offers training and resources to promote mental health among Asian American Pacfic Islander community. The organization also has a resource directory of mental health and behavioral services for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
Black Livity China is an online platform that follows the African community in China, documenting the African and Afro-diasporic experiences among those who have resided, worked, completed/provided education, and/or traded in China.
JOIN IN
Townhall meeting on Building the Psychological Science to Address Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Education: For those who will be attending American Psychological Association (APA) Convention virtually, there will be opening addresses (session 4937) dedicated to examining educational disparities research and strategies to build collaborations in this regard. Subsequently, there is a townhall meeting on August 14th 11AM-12PM to discuss actionable goals on educational disparities research.
APA Virtual Listening Session: As a step towards addressing systemic racism and understanding how psychology as a field has contributed to racial inequity and harmed people and communities of color. Psychologists who identify as person(s) of color; and serve or have served communities of color who have been minoritized and oppressed currently/historically are invited to join in a 90-minute virtual listening session and engage in moderated discussions to discuss the types of harm that impact specific communities of color. The information will be considered when developing actionable plans for APA to work towards reconciliation and healing. There are several sessions with different dates and times available to register.
RELEVANCE 2050 Disrupting and Re-Imagining Neuropsychology Advocacy & Organizational Structures: Massachusetts Neuropsychological Society is presenting a talk with Dr. Karen Postal on Relevance 2050 on September 14 7-8:30PM EST. This event is FREE for all students, interns, fellows & residents. Register.
APA’s Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs (CEMA) Annual Luncheon: Join CEMA this Saturday from 12-130pm EST to attend the CEMA Annual Luncheon! The CEMA invitational luncheon is a central event for psychologists of Color, who are the leading experts, researchers and social justice advocates of multicultural psychology and promoting the health and well-being of communities of Color. This year’s event will be hosted by AAPI women, and focus on the topic of transformative justice, abolitionism, cross-racial coalition building, anti-racism activism, and community-engaged alternatives to policing. Register.
LISTEN/WATCH
Little Neighbors: Building a Better World Together: Public Service Enterprise Group and Sesame Street are in a partnership (Facebook live event, August 11 3PM EST) to help children and their caregivers learn about being good neighbors, how to be compassionate, and helping each other build resilience. The recorded video can be found on the Facebook page.
READ
Support AAPI-owned businesses. Since the onset of the pandemic, AAPI-owned businesses have been disproportionately negatively affected with many becoming nonoperational or struggling to obtain loans. This article highlights AAPI-owned businesses that provide a range of products – from fashion, health wellness products, cosmetics/skincare to books – to consider supporting.
Going Alone. Commentary on the gaps in AAPI Mental Health Care during this pandemic.
Asian American Activists to Follow. A brief introduction of California-based Asian American activists who are highlighting social injustices against Asian American communities and advocating for change.
CONFERENCES
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Health Disparities and Inequities in Neurological Disorders Workshop (September 22-24, 2021): NINDS is hosting a Health Disparities and Inequities in Neurological Disorders Workshop (HEADWAY) which will include experts ranging from health researchers, implementation scientists, community stakeholders, and patient advocates. The goal of the workshop is to engage in a planning process to form recommendations and inform initiatives to address health disparities and inequities in neurological disorders.
Psychologists for Social Responsibility’s Uprooting Carceral Psychology: Healing Justice Conference is held between September 25-26th for psychologists interested in learning about the intersections of psychology, mental health, and abolitionist and decolonial organizing. The conference hopes to shine light on international, BIPOC, and systems-impacted perspectives. Look out for conference registration announcements if you are interested in attending! CE credits will be provided.
FEDERAL LEGISLATION AND POLICY
Illinois became the first state to mandate Asian American History to their school code through the Teaching Equitable Asian Community History (TEEACH) Act HB376 which was signed into law July 9.
Securing Universal Communications Connectivity to Ensure Students Succeed (SUCCESS) Act was recently introduced in Congress. This legislation proposes to provide additional funding ($40 billion) over 5 years to support schools and libraries with devices and connectivity in communities in aims of reducing or closing the educational inequity for communities of color, those residing in rural areas, and low income households.
APPLY NOW
Reducing the Scale and Impact of Dementia Worldwide: The Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program at GBHI provides innovative training, networking, and support to emerging leaders focused on improving brain health and reducing the impact of dementia in their local communities and on a global scale. The program is for people from a wide range of disciplines, including the arts, sciences, economics, policy, medicine, journalism, community-based practice and much more. Whatever the discipline, we are looking for individuals working in the area of brain health and dementia who have great ideas, enthusiasm and leadership potential.
Application Deadline: September 30th, 2021 (IST)
ACT NOW
Protect Psychological Services and Increase access to Telehealth Services: Advocate for just insurance reimbursement and increased access to telehealth mental health services (i.e., proposed rule under the CY22 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule) by including your personalized comments on how Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) policies impact your provision of care and the communities you serve. Comment process closes September 12 at 5PM EST.