Diversity Committee Update

By Omar G. Gudiño, PhD, ABPP

As we kick off 2022, we are excited to share an update on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) efforts at SCCAP. As SCCAP President, Dr. Anna Lau has made EDI a central focus of her platform. We have been especially excited to partner with our colleagues to support EDI across SCCAP activities. Across membership, science and practice, journals, and special programming, the Diversity Committee has been pleased to take on an increased role in advancing EDI. We have also been working to apply APA’s EDI Framework to support sustainable and systemic efforts designed to center EDI.

Supporting the future of SCCAP is a key goal of the Diversity Committee. On February 15, 2022, we were excited to announce the winners of the 2022 SCCAP Diversity Professional Development Award. We made 15 awards of $300 each to support the development of graduate students and early career psychologists from diverse backgrounds (broadly defined). We are thrilled that the future of SCCAP is in the hands of such talented and passionate advocates for EDI!

In December 2021, Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson presented an excellent webinar titled, “Inoculating Children from the American Endemic: Treating Racism as a Virus”. Dr. Lynda Gibson moderated this well-received presentation highlighting the impact of racial stress on youth and practical strategies for working with clients experiencing racial stress and trauma. Our next webinar will occur on May 20, 2022 at 12pm Eastern. We are thrilled to announce that Bianca T. Villalobos, PhD, and Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez, PhD will present on using trauma-focused CBT with Latinx youth via telehealth. Please see the listerv for additional information and registration links.