SES Indicator. The. Issue No. 1, Spring In This Issue. A Publication of APA s Office on Socioeconomic Status. News CSES.

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1 A Publication of APA s Office on Socioeconomic Status The SES Indicator Newsletter Issue No. 1, Spring 2008 In This Issue - Welcome from the Director of APA s Office on SES News OSES Builds Communication Capacity to Serve Growing SES Network OSES Participates in Division Leadership Conference Interdisciplinary Discussion and Strategy Session on SES Visits to Capitol Hill on World Poverty Day CSES Meet Members of CSES Call for Agenda Items for CSES Spring Meeting Announcements 2008 CSES Leadership Awards Call for Nominations Call for Guest Editors to The SES Indicator Join SES Network and Listserv! Looking Ahead in SES OSES to Launch Series of Fact Sheets on the Intersection of SES and Public Interest Topics Task Force on Resources for Inclusion of Social Class in Psychology Curriculum SES Resource Database Welcome from the Director of APA s Office on SES Dear Friends, APA s Office on Socioeconomics (OSES) is pleased to welcome you to the inaugural issue of our newsletter, The SES Indicator. This first issue of The SES Indicator not only reviews what APA s newest office has accomplished within the last few months, but also points to future activities and programs you can expect from OSES during the year. The articles in the newsletter indicate that the interest, enthusiasm, and excitement surrounding the creation of OSES and the Committee on Socioeconomic Status (CSES) continue to build. OSES has and will continue to take full advantage of this momentum by strengthening our existing SES Network, reaching out to other individuals and organizations working on SES-related issues, building up our communication and publication capacity to better serve members and the general public as an information and referral source on issues related to SES, and supporting CSES projects and initiatives. Although not yet a year old, OSES has initiated numerous activities aimed at fulfilling its charge to direct, oversee, facilitate, and promote psychology s contribution to the understanding of SES in the lives and well-being of the poor. Highlighted in this issue are key events, programs, and activities generated from the momentum surrounding OSES and CSES, including the confirmation of two new members to CSES. OSES looks forward to a busy and productive year with CSES starting with the upcoming Spring Consolidated meetings from March 28-30, 2008 in Washington D.C. The SES Network has been invited to provide input on SES related issues to place on CSES agenda. Also, OSES has and continues to make great strides in reaching out to other individuals and organizations promoting socioeconomic well-being and reducing socioeconomic disparities. In December 2007, OSES convened an interdisciplinary discussion and strategy session on socioeconomic status that brought together over 20 representatives from 19 organizations to discuss emerging issues, challenges and facilitators surrounding socioeconomic status. The meeting was a tremendous success and 2008 will no doubt bring opportunities for effective collaborations among participants of the meeting. In addition, OSES brought socioeconomic status to the national forefront on World Poverty Day by coordinating several congressional visits to discuss psychological research on poverty and related legislation in collaboration with APA s Government Relations Office and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI). Effective advocacy for public policy addressing disparities based on SES and related issues will remain a top priority for OSES. As you read through The SES Indicator, I invite you to share your thoughts, impressions, and opinions with OSES by contacting the Office directly, visiting our website, or joining the SESNETWORK and Listserv. Your feedback and active involvement are essential in order to keep the momentum going on APA s commitment to research, advocacy, and practice related to poverty, SES, and the reduction of socioeconomic disparities. Sincerely, Keyona King-Tsikata, MPH Director, Office on Socioeconomic Status

2 News OSES Builds Communication Capacity to Serve Growing SES Network Between August 2007 and January 2008, the newly formed Office on Socioeconomic Status (OSES) initiated several activities to inform the discipline and increase attention and participation among psychologists in social class and SES related issues. The SES Network was initiated in August 2007 to work in partnership with the Committee on Socioeconomic Status (CSES) to further CSES goals. The SES Network provides a platform to share information and ideas, raise questions, and identify critical problems and issues related to socioeconomic status. The inaugural meeting of the SES Network took place in August 2007 during APA s Convention in San Francisco. Current membership of the SES Network includes over 110 representatives of various divisions, state associations, committee members, APA staff and other groups. OSES is committed to keeping the Network informed of the Office and Committee s work, responding to initiatives that Network members raise, soliciting input on issues that come before CSES, and providing information and opportunities for Network members to become more active in APA governance. OSES developed an SES listserv, web page, and The SES Indicator to provide a forum for information exchange among members of the Network, CSES, APA staff, and the public. The SES Network and related informational resources are supported and maintained by OSES. OSES Participates in Division Leadership Conference On January 25-27, 2008, OSES participated in the 2008 Division Leadership Conference. The leadership conference is an opportunity for division president-elects to acquaint themselves with APA governance, interact with APA staff and other division leaders, plan for their own presidency, and to better prepare strategies to address emerging issues in the discipline. Keyona King-Tsikata, MPH, Director of OSES, presented information on the Office and Committee to inform presidential initiatives; highlighted SES related resources and activities; and gathered division specific information that will inform the work of OSES and CSES. Interdisciplinary Discussion and Strategy Session on Socioeconomic Status Recognizing that much of the advocacy, research, policy, and programmatic work on socioeconomic status is interdisciplinary in nature, The Office on Socioeconomic Status (OSES) convened an interdisciplinary discussion and strategy session on December 11, 2007, at APA s Central Office in Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting was three-fold: 1) to create an environment for interdisciplinary dialogue among organizations and individuals concerned with increasing socioeconomic well-being and reducing socioeconomic disparities; 2) to discuss emerging issues, challenges and facilitators surrounding socioeconomic status; and, 3) to gather information that will help to inform strategies for strengthening research, programming, and advocacy efforts that are tailored, collaborative, and complementary to other efforts. Representatives from the following organizations participated: American Educational and Research Association; American Sociological Association; American Society for Public Administration; American Public Health Association; Capital Area Social Psychological Association; Center for American Progress; Center for Social Science Research - George Mason University; Council on Social Work Education; Economic Policy Institute; George Mason University Department of Psychology; Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies; National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors; National Center for Cultural Competence - Georgetown University; National Education Association; Pew Charitable Trusts Economic Mobility Project; SAMHSA - Center on Substance Abuse Prevention; Society for Public Health Education; and Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues.

3 While OSES was particularly interested in gathering information that would help to inform what unique value-added contribution it could make to the field, the Office was particularly pleased that participants in the session expressed that they had benefited from the dialogue and information exchange, and that an interdisciplinary approach towards addressing the impact of socioeconomic status on communities and individuals would enable diverse fields to strengthen their planning and identify new opportunities for effective collaborations. OSES will continue to work with participants in the December 11th session as well as reach out to other individuals and organizations addressing SES-related issues in order to work through the various questions and issues raised during the meeting. Click the link below to read the full meeting report: Visits to Capitol Hill on World Poverty Day APA s Public Interest Directorate Government Relations Office, APA s Office on SES, and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) participate. Washington, D.C. In observance of World Poverty Day, October 17, 2007, Public Interest Directorate s Office on Socioeconomic Status, Government Relations Office and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) coordinated several congressional visits to discuss psychological research on poverty and related legislation. Heather Bullock, PhD, current chair of the Committee on Socioeconomic Status (CSES) and Marybeth Shinn, PhD, SPSSI member, also participated in these visits. The visits included meetings with key congressional offices that have strong track records in poverty-related legislation. In addition to raising awareness of the work that APA and SPSSI are doing on the topic of poverty, the visits laid the groundwork for the infusion of psychological science in poverty-related legislation. Participating in the visit to Capitol Hill were (left to right): Marybeth Shinn, PhD (Past President-SPSSI), Keyona King-Tsikata, MPH (Director, APA Office on Socioeconomic Status), Heather Bullock, PhD (Chair, Committee on Socioeconomic Status), and Carrie Langner, PhD (APA SPSSI Fellow)

4 COMMITTEE ON SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS (CSES) Meet Members of CSES The Office on Socioeconomic Status (OSES) looks forward to the Committee on Socioeconomic Status (CSES) first year anniversary during the Spring Consolidated meetings in Washington, DC. CSES is charged with (a) collecting information and documentation concerning SES; (b) promoting scientific understanding of the roles of poverty and SES in health, education, and human welfare; (c) developing approaches to the application of psychology that take into account the effects of SES on psychological development and well being; and (d) advocating for social policy that will alleviate or reduce the disparities between SES groups. OSES is pleased to welcome the newest members of CSES: Matthew A. Diemer, PhD and Rashmita S. Mistry, PhD. Other CSES members include: Heather Bullock, PhD (Chair); Sandra Graham, PhD (Vice Chair); Mary Jansen, PhD; and Suniya Luthar, PhD. Call for Agenda Items for CSES Spring Meeting The Committee on Socioeconomic Status (CSES) will participate in the Spring Consolidated meetings being held in Washington, DC from March 28-30, If there is an SES-related topic or issue you believe should be on CSES agenda, please send the item(s) to Helena Dagadu at by Friday, March 21, ANNOUNCEMENTS 2008 CSES Leadership Awards Call for Nominations The APA Committee on Socioeconomic Status (CSES) invites nominations, including self-nominations, for the inaugural CSES Leadership Awards. The CSES Leadership Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of psychologists and friends of psychology who have made significant contributions to the understanding of socioeconomic status and the lives and wellbeing of the poor. There are two categories of the CSES Leadership Award: emerging leaders and distinguished leaders. Emerging leaders are psychologists who have received their doctorate within the past 15 years, have made a substantial contribution to SES in psychology and show promise of an extensive, influential career. Distinguished leaders are psychologists who have worked for 15 years or more after receiving their doctorate. They should have a longstanding influence on SES-related issues and should be recognized leaders in their area of expertise. Deadline: March 14, For the complete call for nominations visit: Call for Guest Editors to The SES Indicator The SES Indicator invites individuals who are interested in serving as Guest Editor to contact the newsletter s Managing Editor, Helena Dagadu. With assistance from the Managing Editor and the support of the Committee on Socioeconomic Status (CSES), the Guest Editor determines the theme of one of the four issues (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) of The SES Indicator. The Guest Editor will be selected from among a list of respondents who express an interest and a willingness to serve. Interested candidates should contact Helena Dagadu via at hdagadu@apa.org. Join the SES Network and Listserv! The SES Network & Listserv provides a platform to share information and ideas; raise questions; and identify critical problems and issues related to socioeconomic status with over 110 representatives of various divisions, state associations, committee members, APA staff and other groups. Click here to sign up for the SES Network & Listserv.

5 LOOKING AHEAD IN SES OSES to Launch Series of Fact Sheets on the Intersection of SES and Public Interest Topics OSES seeks to promote the scientific understanding of the roles SES and poverty play in health, education, and human welfare. OSES is growing as an information and referral source on issues related to SES through the development and dissemination of fact sheets. The first 12 fact sheets will focus on the intersection of socioeconomic status (SES) and the following special interest topics: HIV/AIDS; Ethnic and Racial Minority; LGBTQ; Disability; Aging; Children, Youth, and Families; Women; Violence; End of Life; Work, Stress, and Health; International/Global Relations; and Rural (Health). OSES plans to publish the fact sheets electronically on the OSES website at in Spring OSES invites APA members to participate in the development of the factsheets by collaborating on the above factsheets and/or suggesting additional topics of interest for future factsheets. Task Force on Resources for Inclusion of Social Class in Psychology Curriculum In an effort to increase training and education in psychology related to socioeconomic status and social class, OSES plans to publicize and disseminate a new report titled: Using curriculum materials on social class to enhance and enrich teaching in psychology, through the OSES website and networks. The report was prepared by the Task Force on Resources for Inclusion of Social Class in Psychology Curricula, jointly sponsored by Divisions 9 and 35 of the American Psychological Association. Co-chairs of the report are Bernice Lott, PhD, University of Rhode Island and Heather E. Bullock, PhD, University of California - Santa Cruz. The report includes the following sections: classroom exercises, course syllabi, fiction, legislation on SES related social policy, popular media (film, TV, music, etc.) scholarly books and articles, and websites. The report is scheduled for release in Spring SES Resource Database A specific charge of OSES is to develop and facilitate relationships and activities to advance psychology as a major force in research, policy and advocacy related to SES. To fulfill this charge, OSES conducts and promotes activities and programs to collect, synthesize, and disseminate specific research, professional, organizational, and public policy information concerning SES and its impact on public interest constituencies. One concrete way that OSES plans to collect and distribute SES-related information is through the development and maintenance of a searchable online database. OSES is compiling journal articles, book chapters, news articles, policy briefings, legislation, reports, and other publications that address socioeconomic status and related topics in order to upload this information onto an online resource database that will be housed on the OSES website. The anticipated launch of the database is in Spring CONTACT US Please send suggestions, comments, and other requests regarding The SES Indicator to Helena Dagadu, Managing Editor at hdagadu@apa.org. For more information, visit the Office on Socioeconomic Status website at.