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Goal: To promote and support public policy that protects and advances the profession of psychology, insures public access to psychological services and addresses compelling public policy issues that may have an impact on psychology and it's consumers.

Objectives:

1. To monitor, develop and promulgate legislation, and provide feedback to the Association regarding psychology's position on significant bills and policies.
2. To educate policy makers about mental health issues and how psychological knowledge and perspectives affect public policy, becoming a resource for legislators in all psychology related legislation.
3. To increase knowledge of legislative issues and advocacy skills among Ohio psychologists.
4. To influence legislation in order to meet OPA's purpose and goals.

Process for Developing and Implementing Advocacy Agenda:

The Board determines advocacy policy and identifies issues that are a priority for the organization. The Board is advised in its development of policy by the Planning and Development Committee, the Advocacy Committee and by national trends identified by APA. The Board has authorized Advocacy action on the following issues:

1. Scope of practice for psychologists
2. Public access to psychology services
3. Promotion of diversity and multi-cultural inclusion; and active work to end discriminatory practices, such as discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation
4. Prescriptive authority for psychologists
5. Compelling public policy issues which impact psychologists, their patients and/or accepted practice and ethics in psychology

Working within the framework identified by the Board, the Advocacy Committee monitors legislation and develops an action plan. As a specific bill is identified, the Advocacy Committee studies the bill to determine whether the bill fits within the identified organizational priorities or needs additional Board discussion. The Advocacy Committee may also recommend that OPA proactively pursue legislative remedies to problems facing psychology and consumers. The Advocacy Committee prioritizes legislative strategies, implements an action plan and reports back to the Board of Directors at regularly scheduled meetings. Between Board meetings, the President and/or the Executive Director informs the Executive Committee of the ongoing status of the Advocacy agenda. In emergent situations, the Advocacy committee is empowered to act if they have interpreted the planned action to fall within the Advocacy agenda identified by the Board.

When follow-up action regarding implementation of enacted laws is necessary, it is the responsibility of the Executive Committee to designate those responsible for such actions.

Members of the Advocacy Team

Monthly meetings of the OPA Advocacy Committee are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 8:00 am via conference call.  Contact the OPA Central Office or the Committee Chair if you are interested in participating with this group.

Policy Setting Body

• Executive Committee
• OPA Board

Advocacy Committee

• Advocacy Chair - Gerald J. Strauss, PhD
• Executive Director - Michael Ranney, MPA
• Director of Professional Affairs - Bobbie Celeste, PhD
• Federal Advocacy Coordinator - Alice Randolph, EdD, M.S. Clinical Psychopharmacology
• President - David Hayes, PhD
• President Elect - Cathy L. McDaniels-Wilson, PhD
• PAC Chair - Gregory Brigham, PhD
• OPAGS Advocacy Chair - Katie Golden
• Planning and Development Chair - Sandra L. Shullman, PhD
• Diversity Chair - Erica S. White, PhD
• Other members as required - currently: Beth McCreary, PhD, Jaime Willis, PsyD, James Brush, PhD, Michele Evans, PhD, Michelle Rone DePolo, PsyD, and Suzanne LeSure, PhD, Anita Gantner, PhD, Christopher Kacir, PhD, Nabil El-Ghoroury, PhD, Noreen Palmer, Wanda McEntyre, PhD, Jennifer Swaim, PhD, Jane Hamilton, Brad Potts, PhD, Brian Hall, MA

Key Psychologists

• OPA members from diverse geographic and practice perspectives are recruited to form a grass roots advocacy system.

Methodology:

1. Develop a strong Key Psychologists Advocacy Network throughout the State.
2. Maintain active ties with significant coalitions of providers and consumers.
3. Coordinate efforts with the Regional Psychology Associations, Affiliate Organizations and APAGS.
4. Work cooperatively with APA for resources and support.
5. Build a wealthy PAC.
6. Provide continuous advocacy training opportunities for Ohio psychologists.

Communication Pathway for Advocacy

From
OPA Board of Directors
to
Legislative Strategy Committee
to
Advocacy Chair
to
Key Psychologists and Grassroots Advocates
to
Legislators & Policy Makers

Back to
Key Psychologists and Grassroots Advocates
back to
Advocacy Chair
back to
Legislative Strategy Committee
back to
OPA Board of Directors

Legislative Strategy Committee

• President
• Past President
• President-Elect
• Advocacy Committee Chair
• APA Representative
• Federal Advocacy Coordinator
• Finance Committee Chair
• PAC Chair

OPA Staff and Consultants

• Executive Director - Michael O. Ranney, MPA
• Director of Professional Affairs - Bobbie Celeste, PhD
• Volunteer - Ming Fisher

APA Staff (who assist with Advocacy)

• Russ Newman, PhD - Executive Director, APA Practice Directorate and Practice Organization
• Dan Abrahamson, PhD - State Advocacy Director
• Marilyn Richmond, JD - Government Relations Director
• David Hill, PhD - Midwest Field Liaison

Contact the OPA Central Office or the above listed Committee Chair if you are interested in participating with this group.