Invitation Letter
November 9, 2009
Dear VA Psychologist:
This year we are celebrating the 13th anniversary of the VA Psychology
Leadership Conference, which will be held in San Antonio, Texas, May 12-15,
2010. 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 at VA
Central Office also provides collaborative support for the conference. The
theme of this year's conference is “Advancing Psychology in the Evolving
Veterans Health Care System,” and the conference will highlight treatment of
veterans’ families, homelessness and incarcerated veterans, and disease
prevention and health promotion. Additionally, several breakout sessions
will be held to provide an opportunity for smaller group discussions and
planning. Our Saturday workshop will be hosted by Dr. Steve Behnke of the
American Psychological Association and will focus upon ethics. We will have
a number of key leaders from the Department of Veterans Affairs and APA in
attendance. In addition to the presentations listed above, we will
have updates from the Office of Mental Health Services and the Office of
Academic Affiliations. A tentative agenda is attached to this letter. Please
go to the AVAPL conference website regularly for the most updated agenda (http://conference.avapl.org).
The poster session theme is “Best Practices in VA Psychology.” This
has proven to be a popular feature of the conference with more presenters
every year, and we are encouraging all psychologists working in programs
funded by the Mental Health enhancement funds to submit posters.
Abstracts for the poster sessions are to be sent by email to Lisa Kearney,
Ph.D., Chair, VA Psychology Leadership Conference Planning Committee, by
February 1, 2010.
All VA psychologists and trainees are invited to this conference.
Participants should arrive Wednesday, May 12th, as we will hold an informal
social hour that evening from 5:30-7:30 pm. The conference is
scheduled for Thursday, May 13th, from 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Friday, May
14th, from 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m, and the Saturday Workshop will be held from
8:00 a.m. – Noon. 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 are planning to pursue a career in the
VA Healthcare System 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 Hotel Contessa at 306 W. Market
Street, San Antonio, Texas, 78205. 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 a continental
breakfast Thursday and Friday, and lunch on 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 $117/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 Lisa Kearney, Ph.D., Chair, VA Psychology Leadership
Conference Planning Committee.
We are looking forward to seeing you in San Antonio!
Sincerely,
JUNE MALONE, PH.D.
President, Association of Veterans Affairs Psychologist Leaders
KATHERINE NORDAL, PH.D.
Executive Director, Practice Directorate, American Psychological Association
LINDA BODIE, PSY.D.
Chair- VA Section, Division 18, American Psychological Association