Our 2012 State Leadership Conference (SLC) theme is “Bringing Psychology to the Table: State Leadership in Health Care Reform.”

Passage of the Affordable Care Act will bring health insurance to 32 million previously uninsured Americans by 2014. With these additional beneficiaries come new opportunities for psychologists, including funding for training and research.

Every year at SLC psychology’s leaders come together in Washington for four days of learning and networking, which lay the foundation for our Practice Organization’s biggest legislative advocacy successes.

This year, with the important work of health care reform before us, we plan to focus even more of our SLC programming on strategies for educating our members about health care reform, the roles for psychologists in an evolving health care system and identifying where our advocacy activities can make the most difference.

Much of the hard work of health care reform implementation will be carried out at the state level. Some of the critical roles states have to play in bringing health care reform to reality for our profession and our patients have been stipulated in the law. These include the creation of health insurance exchanges, the redesign and expansion of Medicaid services, and the requirements of accountable care organizations.

Psychologists must be prepared to take advantage of developing opportunities and state psychological associations must take an active role in directing and supporting the advocacy activities of their members.

It is critical that we continue to define psychology’s place in the evolving health care system. For psychology to claim its place at the table psychologists must receive appointments to and representation on the assorted task forces, advisory panels, coalitions and commissions being put together at the state level, often at the request of the governor or state legislators, to determine how reform will be realized. Our involvement and input will influence the role of behavioral health and psychology’s position in the health care delivery system.

The emphasis on collaboration, involvement in coalitions and building key relationships with regulators and decision makers is not new. We have been training psychology’s future leaders for this kind of advocacy for well over a quarter of a century. Our work together at this year’s SLC will set the stage for our joint advocacy efforts over the next several years.

Our staff and governance members stand ready to work with all of you to fulfill our mission to advance, protect and defend the professional practice of psychology for you and for those you serve. I hope you are able to attend the 2012 SLC. It will inspire and energize you, preparing you to lead your colleagues and the public in communicating the value and importance of what we do.

I look forward to seeing you here in our nation’s capital in March.

Katherine C. Nordal, PhD
Executive Director for Professional Practice

Some groups of invited attendees have meetings prior to the start of the conference. If you serve in one of the roles listed below, please make arrangements so you can attend.

• Presidents-Elect Orientation
  
  Saturday March 10 – 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  This orientation program is intended to provide an overview of the State Leadership Conference. The session contains information on how to make the most of your time during the conference. The program will be conducted by members of the Committee of State Leaders (CSL); the Council of Executives of State and Provincial Psychological Associations (CESPPA); Division of State, Provincial and Territorial Affairs (APA Division 31); and APA staff.
  
  Please note: There will be an informal dinner for all presidents-elect on Friday March 9. Please make travel plans accordingly. Dinner costs are not covered by SLC. More detailed information will be sent via separate email to presidents-elect. For more information, please contact David Pilon, PhD, Canadian representative to the Committee of State Leaders.
  
  
• Diversity Delegate Orientation
  
  Saturday March 10 – 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  This orientation is being offered as part of the Diversity Initiative of the Committee of State Leaders. The first part of the orientation will coincide with the Presidents-Elect Orientation, during which information about SLC will be shared.
  
  Please note: There will be an informal dinner for all Diversity Delegates on Friday March 9. Please make travel plans accordingly. More detailed information will be sent to Diversity Delegates via separate email. Dinner costs are not covered by SLC. For more information, please contact Diversity Liaison Mabel Lam, PhD.
  
  
• Early Career Psychologist (ECP) Orientation
  
  Saturday March 10 – 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  As part of an ongoing effort to recognize ECPs who are active in their State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Associations (SPTAs) and to raise the visibility and importance of ECPs within both SPTAs and APA, the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice (CAPP) is funding the participation of 10 ECP delegates at SLC. The first part of the orientation will coincide with the Presidents-Elect Orientation during which information about SLC will be shared.
  
  Please note: There will be an informal dinner for all ECPs on Friday March 9. Please make travel plans accordingly. Dinner costs are not covered by SLC. More detailed information will be sent via separate email to ECPs. For more information, please contact Sarah Honaker, PhD, ECP representative to the Committee of State Leaders.
  
  
• Directors of Professional Affairs Meeting
  
  Friday, March 9 – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  
  
• APA Graduate Students (APAGS) Meeting
  
  Saturday, March 10 – 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  
  
• Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice (CAPP) & APA Board of Directors luncheon
  
  Saturday March 10 – 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

The preliminary SLC program will be posted online in mid-February. This program will provide a schedule of SLC events such as workshops, discussion groups and plenary sessions; tips for making the most of your experience at SLC; and information about the Committee of State Leaders (CSL) and the State Leaders Town Hall & CSL Elections meeting.

The final, detailed SLC Program will be distributed at conference check-in on March 10.

To assist you in preparing for the conference, here is a general outline of the programming:

Saturday, March 10

• 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  Orientation programs for SPTA Presidents-Elect, Diversity Delegates and Early Career Psychologists
• 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  Opening session
• 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  Networking groups
• 4:45 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
  Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards (PHWA) Ceremony
• 6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  PHWA Reception

Sunday, March 11

• 7:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
  Continental breakfast provided
• 8:00 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.
  Briefings with the executive director for professional practice
• 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  Business meeting for Public Education Campaign coordinators
• 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
  Plenary session
• 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  Workshops
• 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  Luncheon and awards program
• 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  Issue briefing for congressional visits
• 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  Provincial advocacy and provincial psychological association meetings
• 4:45 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
  Featured presentation and concurrent topical discussion groups
• 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
  AAP reception

Highlights

• Briefings with the Executive Director for Professional Practice
  During the conference, Executive Director for Professional Practice Katherine C. Nordal, PhD will be meeting with the presidents and presidents-elect of the SPTAs and with the Practice Division presidents for a briefing and information exchange on relevant Practice, state and professional issues. Participants are requested to attend the meeting for which they are scheduled (See SLC Program to be posted online in February). Space limitations preclude additional attendees.
• Association for the Advancement of Psychology (AAP) Reception
  The annual Association for the Advancement of Psychology cocktail reception honors an influential member of the U.S. Congress. Your attendance provides you and the profession an opportunity to demonstrate support for a truly outstanding advocate for psychology.
  
  The honoree, who will be announced in the SLC program online in February, will speak about psychology’s legislative agenda.
  
  Plan dinner reservations for no earlier than 8:00 p.m. on Sunday evening so you will be able to meet and hear from our honoree.

Monday, March 12

• 7:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m.
  Continental breakfast provided
• 8:00 a.m.-8:50 a.m.
  Briefings with the executive director for professional practice (see above)
• 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
  Plenary session
• 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  Workshops
• 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
• Lunch on your own
• 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
  State Leaders’ Town Hall & CSL Elections
• 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
  Issue briefing for Public Education Campaign coordinators staying for Hill visits
• 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
  CESSPA business meeting
• 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
  Plenary session with APA President and CEO, Diversity Delegate wrap up
• 5:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
  Follow-up to Hill issue briefing
• 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
  SLC reception
• 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
  SLC banquet

Highlights

Monday March 12, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• State Leaders’ Town Hall & CSL Elections
  The State Leaders’ Town Hall & CSL Elections is another important opportunity for State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Associations (SPTAs) to have a voice in APA and the APA Practice Organization. New members of the Committee of State Leaders (CSL) will be elected. Attendees will have the opportunity to raise issues and questions with the full CSL and representatives from the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice (CAPP). It is essential that all SPTAs send representatives to this meeting so that all issues can be heard. Information regarding the CSL election will be posted online in mid-February and will be included in the packet distributed at the conference.

• SLC Reception and Banquet
  Please do not make other dinner arrangements.

Please note: SLC attendees are welcome to bring guests to the banquet on Monday, March 12 at a cost of $100 per guest. If you plan to bring a guest, please notify Susie Lazaroff by March 1 at (800) 374-2723 or via email.

Tuesday, March 13

• 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.
  Breakfast provided
• 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
  Hill visits
• 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
  Hill visits debriefing

See next section on Capitol Hill Visits for more information.

Please note: All SLC attendees are expected to participate in the Hill visits unless otherwise excused.  

Hill visits will take place Tuesday, March 13 from 9:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  

Issue briefings for Congressional member visits will take place on Sunday during the Conference. Important information about the issues will be posted online in February, so please check back. All participants making Hill visits are required to attend an issue briefing.

There will be a separate issue briefing session for PECs who have been authorized by their SPTA to participate in the Hill visits.

Please note:

• A debriefing session will take place on Capitol Hill from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday March 13. Please include this debriefing in your travel arrangements. Refreshments will be served. Buses leave the debriefing at 3:40 pm for Reagan National Airport only. Those leaving from Dulles or BWI Airport will need to arrange their own airport transportation.
• Appointments for Capitol Hill visits are to be set up by SPTA Executive Directors. Instructions will be sent via email to executive directors only. Please contact Government Relations at 800-374-2723 ext. 5889 or email Director of Field & State Operations Jeff Cook, JD for assistance.

APA Practice Division representatives and APAGS representatives should coordinate Congressional visits with their SPTA .

Please note: Not all invited positions receive funding from APA or the APA Practice Organization. A limited number of positions may be funded by your SPTA. Please see the reimbursement chart (PDF, 130KB) to determine if your position receives funding.

Expense reports are due by May 31, 2012.  We reserve the right to deny any reimbursement requests received after this date.

General Reimbursement Policies

These reimbursement policies reflect reimbursement provided by APA and the APA Practice Organization only. Any questions regarding reimbursement from your SPTA or APAGS should be directed to your executive director or to the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) Office at 202-336-6093.

We are unable to offer funding for some categories of invited participants. Invitations are extended to certain funded positions in recognition of the important roles these positions play in SPTAs. These invitations give SPTAs the option of including unfunded attendees in their delegations. 

Due to IRS regulations, reimbursement will be provided only if original receipts are submitted for all air and hotel expenses. No photocopies will be accepted. Reimbursement requests must be submitted on an APA or APAPO expense report, which will be provided at SLC.

• No substitutions are permitted for any reimbursed positions.

• Non-function meals are not reimbursed.

• Ground transportation is not reimbursed.

• Luggage fees are not reimbursed.

Hotel Reimbursement

Please check your hotel reimbursement status on the reimbursement chart (PDF, 130KB) to determine eligibility for this funding.

Please note: regardless of funding, the hotel will ask you for your credit card to make the reservation. The card will not be charged unless you incur incidental charges such as room service, in-room movies, fitness room, etc.

The following people should be on the hotel master list and do not have to submit hotel receipts for reimbursement by APA after the conference:

• American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) Delegates selected by APAGS Office
• American Psychological Association (APA) Board of Directors
• Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice (CAPP) Members
• Committee of State Leaders (CSL) Members
• SPTA Directors of Professional Affairs
• APA fully funded Diversity Delegates
• APA-funded Early Career Psychologists
• SPTA Executive Directors
• Division Federal Advocacy Coordinators
• SPTA Federal Advocacy Coordinators
• Public Education Campaign (PEC) Coordinators

Hotel room charges (not including incidentals) for master list attendees will be covered by APA at the single room rate upon checkout. Reimbursement for upgraded rooms will be made at the single room rate only and can be obtained upon submission of an expense report. All upgraded rooms will be removed from the master list.

Public Education Coordinators (PECs) participating in Hill visits will be removed from the hotel master list and should submit an expense report for approved reimbursements at levels specified in the reimbursement chart (PDF, 130KB).

Despite our best efforts, we cannot guarantee that the hotel will bill everyone on the master list. If you are eligible for reimbursement and the hotel bills you directly, please keep your receipt and submit an expense report for reimbursement after the conference.

• If it becomes necessary to make a reservation at a hotel other than the Grand Hyatt, reimbursement will be covered up to $273/night. 

To cancel reservations, please call the Grand Hyatt Washington hotel at 800-233-1234.

Travel Reimbursement

Ground transportation, including transportation to and from National, Dulles and BWI airports, and baggage fees, is not reimbursable.

The following categories of participants are asked to please make their travel arrangements through the APA Travel Office (see instructions in Travel Reservation information section). Travel for the following groups booked through the APA Travel Office will be charged directly to the appropriate APA account. If you are an SLC attendee in one of these categories, your name will be given to the APA Travel Office in advance and you do not need to submit an expense report for reimbursement.

• American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) Delegates selected by APAGS Office
• American Psychological Association (APA) Board of Directors
• Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice (CAPP) Members
• Committee of State Leaders (CSL) Members
• SPTA Directors of Professional Affairs
• APA fully funded Diversity Delegates
• APA-funded Early Career Psychologists
• SPTA Executive Directors
• Division Federal Advocacy Coordinators
• SPTA Federal Advocacy Coordinators
• Public Education Campaign (PEC) Coordinators

SLC invitees who choose to work with an outside travel agency will be reimbursed for actual costs not to exceed the advance purchase economy airfare rate, as determined by the APA travel office.

SLC invitees who are not reimbursed for travel may book through the APA Travel Office with a personal credit card. 

Additional Information

SPTA presidents and presidents-elect should submit an expense report to APA in order to receive 50 percent airfare reimbursement for actual costs, not to exceed the advance purchase economy airfare rate.

Those traveling by train will be reimbursed for round-trip coach fare not to exceed the advance purchase economy airfare rate for the same itinerary. To make a train reservation, please call Am Trak at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) or go online to Amtrak.

Those traveling by car will be reimbursed $0.51 per mile plus parking, the total of which cannot exceed the advance purchase economy airfare rate. Please attach a MapQuest or Google maps route when submitting your reimbursement form.

American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) Reimbursement

Only APAGS committee representatives and APAGS advocacy coordinators selected by the APAGS central office will be funded by the APA. SPTAs may cover expenses for their own APAGS representative to attend SLC; these individuals will be included in all APAGS activities.

Individuals invited by the APAGS office to attend SLC will receive full funding for hotel costs and advance purchase economy airfare rate.

All questions from APAGS delegates regarding reimbursement for non-function meals and ground transportation should be referred to the APAGS office by contacting Nabil El-Ghoroury, PhD .

Diversity Delegates

APA fully funded diversity delegates will be reimbursed for air or train travel and hotel room expenses. Please note that ground transportation, baggage costs and incidental hotel expenses are not reimbursed. The names of the fully funded diversity delegates will be on the hotel master list as well as forwarded to the APA Travel Office. Fully funded diversity delegates who make travel reservations through the APA Travel Office and are staying at the Grand Hyatt Washington do not need to submit an expense report. All others should submit an APA expense report for reimbursement (PDF, 130KB).

Partially funded diversity delegates’ travel and hotel expenses are covered up to $800. To avoid out-of-pocket expenses, delegates should book travel arrangements directly through the APA Travel Office. After the conference, submit an APA expense report with an original hotel receipt for the balance of the $800. For questions about the reimbursement policy for APA-funded Diversity Delegates, please contact Susie Lazaroff.

Public Education Campaign (PEC) Coordinator Reimbursement

The Public Education Campaign (PEC) Coordinator Business Meeting is held in conjunction with the State Leadership Conference. This meeting is designed to permit PEC representatives to take part in the opening day program of the State Leadership Conference on Saturday afternoon in advance of business meetings on Sunday. PECs are funded for two nights in the hotel and for 100 percent of the advance purchase economy airfare rate.

Members of the PEC network are approved to attend the Congressional lobbying visits on the final day of SLC provided three conditions are met:

1. Approval of SPTA and coordination with the Federal Advocacy Coordinator and/or Executive Director;
2. Attendance at a full Hill Briefing session offered by Government Relations staff on Monday March 12 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and
3. Self or SPTA funding for additional cost of hotel nights associated with staying for the Hill visits.