UAF ANPsych students at aprogram recruitment event

UAA graduate ANPsych Students (l to r): Jess Faber,

Luisa Machuca, Michelle Parker, Christy Von

Kirchmeyer, Martha Vlasoff, Nick Heitman

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Model Strategy

This column presents descriptions of the activities and outcomes ofsuccessful recruitment and retention strategies for ethnic minorities inpsychology. The following program is characterized by that kind of pipelineand institutional linkage (systemic) approach that is advocated by the APACommission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention, and Training inPsychology (CEMRRAT). It is a program that seeks to empower its students,staff, and their communities.

Alaska Natives Into Psychology (ANPsych) – A Rural Pipeline from High Schoolthrough PhDPamela B. Deters. PhD, University of Alaska

Alaska faces significant behavioral health concerns,including high rates of suicide, alcoholism, and inhalantabuse. The impact of these concerns is felt most heavilyamong its Alaska Native people in both rural and urbansettings. The suicide rate for Alaska Natives is 4.6 times thatof the U.S. general population rate, and the alcohol-relatedmortality rate for Alaska Native adults is over 7 times that ofthe U.S. general population (Alaska Area IHS, 2000). Acritical shortage of behavioral health and substance abuseproviders, specifically Alaska Native providers, exists inmuch of Alaska. There is a particular lack of Alaska Nativeproviders with advanced training and degree credentials.These shortages and needs are most extreme in rural Alaska, where 62% of villages donot have direct access to behavioral health services (Schichnes, 2000).

The primary mission of the AlaskaNatives into Psychology (ANPsych)program, which was initiated in 1998-99, is to address the significantshortage in the behavioral healthworkforce in rural Alaska by trainingNative (Alaska Native and AmericanIndian) students as psychologists andin other behavioral health careers, topractice in rural Alaska. The ANPsychprogram is currently housed in theDepartments of Psychology at the twomajor University of Alaska Statewide

System campuses: The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and the University of AlaskaAnchorage (UAA).

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UAF Project Director TieshaSimmons receiving her MA inCommunity Psychology fromUAF

This cross-site collaborative program begins with the recruitment of rural Native (AlaskaNative and American Indian) high school students who are introduced to the discipline ofpsychology and other behavioral health careers. This training pipeline provides social,cultural, financial, and academic support for rural Native high school and college students,along with behavioral health paraprofessionals who wish to continue their education, andis directed specifically to the undergraduate degree in psychology.

In addition, a select group of Native students receivesimilar support for advanced training in psychologyat the graduate level through the UAF Master of Artsin Community Psychology program and the UAAMaster of Science in Clinical Psychology program.Recently, a joint PhD program in Clinical/CommunityPsychology with a rural and indigenous focus wasapproved at the University of Alaska, to be housedin the Departments of Psychology at UAA and UAF.It is anticipated the first cohort of students will beginthis doctoral program in Fall 2006. One of theprimary missions of the doctoral program is tosuccessfully recruit and train Alaska Native andAmerican Indian students to meet the criticalshortage of behavioral health providers in ruralAlaska. Thus, the ANPsych program seeks toeffectively recruit and support Alaska Native students who wish to obtain training inpsychology through the AA, BA/BS, MA/MS and PhD degrees, to address the immensebehavioral health needs of our state.

ANPsych provides such student and cultural support services as tutoring, mentoring, jobseeking, workshops, advising, vitae writing, potlucks with guest speakers, talking circles,project connect classes, and students conference travel funding. When appropriate,ANPsych also provides research and technology (computer) support to students. Since2004, the program has provided: (a) tuition waivers to at least 23 undergraduates and 34graduate students; (b) scholarships to at least 34 undergraduates and 14 graduatestudents; stipends to at least 10 undergraduates and 13 graduate students. During the pasttwo summers, nearly 180 high school students and 50 undergraduates have participatedin summer programs. Also during the past two years, approximately 10 graduate studentshave been provided research project support. Since the program’s inception, 60 Nativeundergraduates have been recruited and mentored; of whom 22 have received a BA or BSin psychology; 24 Native graduate students have been supported; of whom 7 have beenawarded the MA or MS.

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Athabascan elder dancing at atraditional potlatch

ANPsych also is distinguished by its commitment tohiring American Indian and Alaska Native staff. TheStatewide Program Director (Pamela B. Deters, PhD) isan American Indian (Cherokee/Choctaw), and the full-time Project Directors at the University of AlaskaAnchorage campus (Kathy Graves, PhD) and theUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks campus (Teisha M.Simmons, MA) are both Alaska Natives.

The program’s current challenges primarily involveissues of sustainability. The program has been fundedthrough an annual Congressional appropriation, with thesupport of Senator Ted Stevens (AK), who until recently,chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee.Consequently the program is actively engaged in asearch for alternative state, federal and/or privatefunding sources.

For more information on ANPsych, contact its Statewide Program Director, Pamela Deters,PhD at:pam.deters@uaf.edu.

References

Indian Health Service (2000). Regional differences in Indian health. Albuquerque, NM:Author.

Schichnes, J. (2000). A counselor in every village: A report on the progress of the RuralHuman Services Program. Fairbanks, AK: University of Alaska Fairbanks.

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CEMRRAT Update

CEMRRAT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT AWARDS

The CEMRRAT Implementation Grant Program provides seed grants for innovative effortsthat seek to promote the recruitment, retention, and training of ethnic minorities inpsychology.

In 2005, 23 proposals for CEMRRAT funds were submitted, of which 17 were funded fora total of $62,991. Since the inception of CEMRRAT grants in 1999, a total of 115 grantshave been funded totaling over $411,000. The following is a synopsis of the 2005CEMRRAT grant recipients.

Grants Awarded in 2005 (Current as of 04/30/05)

Category: TRAINING/STATE ASSOCIATIONS

Applicant: Loretta Koin, PhD, Chair, Committee of State LeadersProposal Objectives: Funding strategy for increasing minority participation and thedevelopment of ethnic diversity in SPA membership and leadership through partial fundingof Committee of State Leaders’ (CSL) ‘Diversity Initiative’.Amount Requested: $7,000Amount Granted: $7,000Project Final Report: N/A

Category: LINGUISTIC MINORITY

Applicant: Kelly L. Irvine, PsyD, Phoenix Indian CenterProposal Objectives: To provide faculty release time and support towards creatinga training manual, organizing speaker’s series, fostering multi-cultural Native immersionexperiences, and connecting up existing grant-writing and research resources, with thepurpose of further developing and expanding a practicum and postdoctoral trainingprogram benefitting linguistic minorities of Native groups seen at the Phoenix IndianCenter, a non-profit United Way agency.Amount Requested: $5,000Amount Granted: $3,500Project Progress Report: N/A

Category: MATH/SCIENCE

Applicant: Lisa Harlow, PhD, Gwyneth Boodoo, PhD, HerbEber, PhD, and Keith Whitfield, PhD, Society ofMultivariate Experimental Psychology

Proposal Objectives: To hold a 5-day forum that includes a 3-day conference atHoward University, and a portion of the 2005 APA conference, with the main goal of

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instilling interest, training and recruitment of minority individuals into the study ofmultivariate quantitative science.Amount Requested: $10,000Amount Granted: $6,000Project Progress Report: N/A

Category: FACULTY/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Applicant: Jeffrey L. Helms, PsyD, Amy Buddie, PhD, RandolphSmith, PhD, Linda Noble, PhD, Valerie Whittlesey, PhD,Sharon Pearcey, and Ginny Q. Zhan, Kennesaw StateUniversity

Proposal Objectives: Kennesaw State University Department of Psychology to hosta two-day intensive training, in order to increase faculty knowledge & appreciation ofdiversity issues and train them with content knowledge & pedagogical skills to disseminatethis information thru its integration in their respective syllabi and upcoming semester’slectures.Amount Requested: $7,360Amount Granted: $4,000Project Progress Report: N/AApplicant: Joseph Kovach, PsyD, Calumet College of St. JosephProposal Objectives: Calumet College of St Joseph Psychology Department to hostThe Psychology Department Diversity Workshops, a series of 6 on-campus diversityworkshops during 2005-2006 academic year, for its full-time and adjunct faculty members.Invited experts in diversity will impart information on current thinking on diversity issues andtheir impact on the community.Amount Requested: $4,950Amount Granted: $3,150Project Progress Report : N/A

Applicant: Myra Waters, PhD, Morgan State UniversityProposal Objectives: Morgan State University Counseling Center to host a 3-dayconference to address the clinical needs of Black college students and HBCU-specificservice related concerns. Invited speakers are Drs. Helms & Carter. Among otheroutcomes, it is expected that participating mental health professionals’ capacity to meetthe psychological needs of their students will be enhanced. Amount Requested: $5,185Amount Granted: $4,071Project Progress Report : N/AApplicant: Anthony Smith, PhD, Mareah Steketee, PhD, and Sally

Cameron, North Carolina Psychological AssociationProposal Objectives: NCPA Diversity Task Force to initiate cultural competencytraining within North Carolina Psychological Association (NCPA) membership by fundingthe participation of two Task Force members to a 4-day diversity training offered by the

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National Multi-Cultural Institute (NMCI). Upon receiving the training, it is expected that the2 members will reciprocate by providing formal cultural competency training to others withinNCPA.Amount Requested: $7,610Amount Granted: $4,000Project Progress Report: N/AApplicant: Victoria Munoz, PhD, Wells CollegeProposal Objectives: Wells College to host a 2-day multicultural colloquia seriesfeaturing Dr. Helms. Expected outcomes include increasing Wells College psychologyfaculty’s theoretical background, practical knowledge, and teaching strategies needed toachieve multicultural competence, and diversify the curriculum.Amount Requested: $4,575Amount Granted: $2,575Project Progress Report: N/A

Applicant: Ma’at Lewis-Coles, PhD, John Jay College of CriminalJustice, CUNY

Proposal Objectives: To professionally produce an educational video that willpromote cultural competence in the psychological treatment of ethnic minorities via aprofessional development video and seminar model that addresses knowledge, awarenessand skills for coping with racism and oppression.Amount Requested: $2,600Amount Granted: $2,100Project Progress Report: N/A Applicant: Pam Remer, PhD, and Fred Danner, PhD, University of

KentuckyProposal Objectives: The Department of Educational & Counseling are to hosttraining workshops on diversity and social justice. It is anticipated that trained faculty willbe able to integrate diversity issues into course work, and facilitate difficult classroomdiversity dialogues.Amount Requested: $3,500Amount Granted: $3,445Project Progress Report: N/A

Applicant: A. Diaz-Martinez, PsyD, and L. Duncan PhD, Jersey ShoreUniversity Medical Center

Proposal Objectives: To conduct a 9-month multicultural competence pilot programas part of training requirements for its psychology staff and pre-doctoral interns. At least6 speakers with multicultural expertise will present on various topics of interest: workingwith different racial/ethnic groups; culturally sensitive treatment modalities; sensitivity to theexperiences of linguistic minorities; immigrants and different races living in the USA.Amount Requested: $5,000Amount Granted: $3,000Project Progress Report: N/A

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Category: STUDENT UNDERGRADUATE/GRADUATE

Applicant: Joanne Davila, PhD, and Ana Zevallos, MA, Stony BrookUniversity/SUNY

Proposal Objectives: Provide academic support to ethnic minority students, build acohesive network between ethnic minority undergraduates and graduate students andfaculty members, and provide a forum for social support among ethnic minority students,through a series of workshops, events, and activities at SUNY Stony Brook.Amount Requested: $8,450Amount Granted: $3,250Project Progress Report: N/AApplicant: Michele Harway, PhD, Catherine Radecki-Bush, PhD, and

Heidi Zetzer, PhD, Antioch University, Santa BarbaraProposal Objectives: Antioch University to launch a new doctoral program in clinicalpsychology with a family psychology emphasis. Seek seed funding to host a full-dayworkshop on developing learning goals that include diversity issues, thus enabling AntiochU’s faculty to infuse cultural competence into the entire curriculum. Amount Requested: $5,200Amount Granted: $4,200Project Progress Report: N/A

Applicant: Guerda Nicolas, PhD, Janet Helms, PhD, and DavidBlustein, PhD, Boston College

Proposal Objectives: Counseling Psychology Department at Boston College and Dr.J. Helms’ Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture to create a mentoringprogram involving didactic training and seminars with a focus on racial and culture issues.Faculty of color to mentor masters and doctoral level students considering careers inacademia.Amount Requested: $8,500Amount Granted: $5,500Project Progress Report: N/AApplicant: Cami McBride, PhD, and Michael Seidenberg, PhD,

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and ScienceProposal Objectives: To establish a Diversity T. A. position whose duties are to reachout and coordinate recruitment and retention efforts of targeted ethnic minorityundergraduate psychology scholars and graduate students in the Chicago area andbeyond. Also, to create one to two 6-8 weeks summer research apprenticeship wherefaculty will provide research opportunities and mentoring to select minority undergraduatepsychology majors from institutions in the Chicago land area. Amount Requested: $5,000Amount Granted: $3,000Project Progress Report: N/A

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Applicant: Ayorkor Gaba, Rose Zayco, Jessica Floyd, Igda Martinez,(faculty sponsor: Shalonda Kelly) GSAPP, Rutgers University

Proposal Objectives: Committee on Diversity to host a 1-day workshop involvingcurrent graduate students and practicing psychologists, alumni, supervisors, and invitedexperts on multicultural psychology to address the interests of minority students pursuingand/or interested in pursuing careers in professional psychology. Activities will includespeakers, panel discussions, experiential groups, discussion groups, and networking.Amount Requested: $5,150Amount Granted: $3,200Project Progress Report: N/AApplicant: Elizabeth Vera, PhD, Midwest Association of Latino

PsychologistsProposal Objectives: Start-up of a regional annual meeting initiative intended to bringtogether Latino graduate students and professionals for mentoring, networking, supportand scholarly collaboration during a day-long program.Amount Requested: $1,000Amount Granted: $1,000Project Progress Report: N/A