Invitation Letter
January 10, 2012
Dear VA Psychologist:
Please make plans to join us for the 15th annual VA Psychology Leadership
Conference, which will be held in San Antonio, Texas, April 11-14, 2012.
The conference is co-sponsored by the Association of Veterans Affairs
Psychologist Leaders (AVAPL), the American Psychological Association (APA)
Practice Directorate, and APA’s Division of Psychologists in Public Service
(Division 18). The Office of Mental Health Services and Office of
Mental Health Operations at VA Central Office also provide collaborative
support for the conference.
The theme of this year's conference is “VA Psychology Advancing the
Transformation: New Directions and Technologies for Care.” Consistent with
that theme, the presentations will highlight innovative strategies to
improve the provision of mental health care to our Veterans, including
expansion and new directions in Telemental health and new informatics and
technologies used to compliment mental health care. Presentations on
effective strategies for assessment and treatment of complex clinical
presentations and current activities in VHA regarding mental health outcome
and performance measures are also planned. Based on their success at last
year’s conference, some of this year’s topics will allow opportunities for
smaller group discussions through the use of small group breakout sessions.
We have two Saturday workshop options planned for this year, one focusing
upon ethics and one focused on developing and implementing a Telemental
health program. We will have key leaders from the Department of
Veterans Affairs and APA in attendance, including a keynote address from the
APA President. In addition to the presentations listed above, we will
have updates from the Offices of Mental Health Services, Mental Health
Operations, and Academic Affiliations. A draft agenda is attached to this
letter. The committee is still working on additional topics and finalizing
the agenda, so be sure to visit the AVAPL conference website regularly to
see the most updated agenda. (http://conference.avapl.org).
The poster session theme is “Innovative Practices in VA Psychology,” but
other poster topics will be considered. Our poster sessions have proven to
be a popular feature of the conference with more presenters every year. We
are encouraging all individuals involved in developing and implementing
innovative practices and technologies to submit posters. Abstracts for
the poster sessions are to be sent by email to Manny Garcia, Ph.D., Chair,
VA Psychology Leadership Conference Planning Committee (manuel.garcia@va.gov),
by February 27, 2012 (see attached submission form).
All VA psychologists and trainees are invited to this conference.
Conference activities will commence on Wednesday, April 11th, with the
informal social hour that evening from 5:30-7:30 pm. The social hours have
always been an ideal time to reconnect and network with fellow
psychologists. Participant should plan to arrive on Wednesday in time for
the social hour. The formal conference agenda starts first thing Thursday
morning, April 12th, and goes through the end of the day on Friday, April
13th. Our Saturday Workshops will be held from 8:00 a.m. – Noon on April
14th. A social hour will follow each of the Thursday and Friday
sessions.
We will again be offering two $300 scholarships to a VA pre-doctoral intern
and a VA post-doctoral resident who is planning to pursue a career in the VA
and who are willing to assist in some of the behind-the-scenes tasks of
running the conference. Selection for these will be done randomly
among those who indicate on the conference registration form that they would
like to be considered for the scholarship.
This year’s conference will be held at The Westin Riverwalk hotel located at
420 West Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205 (Phone: 210.224.6500.)
The cost of registration for AVAPL and Division 18 members will be $250,
non-members-$330, Pre-doctoral interns-$115, and Post-doctoral fellows-$150,
while the post-conference workshop will be $75. The conference registration
fee covers food and refreshment on Thursday and Friday. In addition,
you will receive 12 APA-approved CEUs for attending the Thursday and Friday
portion of the conference. Those staying for the Saturday workshop
will receive a continental breakfast and 4 additional APA-approved CEU’s.
The cost of the hotel will be $106/night + 16.75% tax, but they will honor
tax exempt forms for federal employees so please make sure to bring these
with you. When you call the hotel, please note that you are calling as part
of the “VA Psychology Leadership Conference.”
Please share this information with all VA psychologists (administrators,
clinicians, and researchers) and trainees at your station. Information
on how to join AVAPL or APA Division 18 prior to the conference (to receive
the price break for registration) and additional conference information can
be obtained from Manny Garcia, Ph.D., Chair, VA Psychology Leadership
Conference Planning Committee (manuel.garcia@va.gov).
We are looking forward to seeing you in San Antonio!
Sincerely,
Pam Fischer, Ph.D.
KATHERINE NORDAL, PH.D.
President, Association of
Executive Director, Practice Veterans Affairs Psychologist Leaders
Directorate,
American Psychological Association
Anne Klee, Ph.D.
Chair- VA Section, Division 18
American Psychological Association