DPA Committee Descriptions

• The Ethics Committee's function is primarily one of consultation and education. The Committee can serve to provide advice and opinion to psychologists and the public regarding professional ethics and appropriate conduct of psychologists. It can also assist psychologically impaired psychologists or any other psychologists seeking treatment by consulting with them about their psychological needs and by directing them to appropriate resources. The Ethics Committee does not review cases of breach of ethics or unprofessional conduct brought to its attention. The Committee directs complaints it receives to the Delaware Board of Examiners of Psychologists and supports the Board's function in processing complaints. Upon notification of the Board's sanctioning of a member, the Ethics Committee may refer a member to the Executive Council for the option of sanctioning a Member or of discontinuing his or her membership. A member may be censured, suspended, or expelled from the Association for cause by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Executive Council. Should a member be suspended, he or she may reapply to the organization upon recommendation of the Executive Council.
• The Disaster Response Network committee will respond to a variety of situations including natural disasters, social unrest, terrorism and pandemics. Psychologists are uniquely trained in helping people cope with stress and difficult emotions and are able to help disaster survivors, volunteers and relief operation workers understand their natural responses to these events, such as anger, distress and grief. Committee members meet regularly for planning and networking to support preparedness for such events in order to mitigate long term disaster impacts. The Disaster Response Network Committee is aware of the disproportionate impact that crisis may have on disadvantaged groups and makes sure that its mission and activities are inclusive and appropriate to the needs of all groups.
• The Committee on Federal Advocacy is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with each member of Congress from the State of Delaware, ensuring that DPA's Federal Advocacy Coordinator is identified as an essential key contact in Delaware on mental health issues before the Congress. Under the leadership of the Federal Advocacy Coordinator, the committee shall monitor federal issues and legislation impacting mental health and the profession of psychology through its ongoing relationship with the APA Practice Organization (APAPO). The Committee shall advise the Association's Executive Council and membership on all critical federal legislative issues, communicate APAPO action alerts, and coordinate grassroots response to these calls for actions. As necessary, the Committee shall organize an effective grassroots network of psychologists within the State of Delaware. Advocacy activity may take the form of letters or calls to Congress, meetings with Members of Congress, attendance at town hall meetings, op-eds, or letters-to-the-editor.
• The Committee on State Advocacy shall keep the Executive Council and Association members advised of state-level legislation and insurance issues impacting mental health and the profession of psychology. As necessary, it shall establish and maintain relationships with state legislators, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, and major medical insurance providers within the state. The Committee shall work at advancing the recognition of, and acceptance of qualified psychologists as independent providers of health services within the state. The Committee may, as necessary and with the approval of the Executive Council, employ the services of a state lobbyist to assist with supporting or drafting appropriate state legislation, secure legislative sponsors, and organize any grassroots activity among Delaware psychologists in support of key state legislation.
• The Committee on Membership shall examine the credentials submitted to support an application for membership in the Association and make recommendations to the Executive Council. Upon approval of the Executive Council, the applicant's membership form (or duplicate) will be sent to the Treasurer (or designee) for collection of dues and subsequent notification to the Secretary (or designee) of the completed membership procedure. The Committee shall be responsible for developing the growth of membership in the Association.
• The Delaware Psychological Association (DPA) is committed to diversity in all of its forms, visible and Invisible. The Diversity Committee supports the Association’s efforts to use psychological science and public advocacy to dismantle all forms of oppression, including oppression based on race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, ability, sexual orientation, and other marginalized identities. To this end, we are committed to: 1) Fostering an inclusive environment where members of all religious and secular belief systems, and people of all races, ethnicities, national origins, immigration statuses, gender identities, career stages, socioeconomic statuses, physical or mental statuses, sexual or affectional orientations, or political beliefs are welcome. 2) Examining issues of diversity within the association and assisting the Executive Council in taking the steps needed to develop policies related to marginalized groups. 3) Increasing public access to psychologists and psychotherapists of color. 4) Creating compassionate spaces for psychologists to learn and explore issues of stereotyping, prejudice, and mistreatment of minority groups. 5) Increasing cultural competence of our psychologists via continuing education trainings and experiential workshops that address diversity, equity, inclusion, multiculturalism, and social justice. 6) Collaborating with other professional organizations who share our diversity goals. 7) Addressing recruitment, retention, promotion, and mentorship of students, psychotherapists, and psychologists from diverse backgrounds.
• The Committee on Early Career Psychologists (ECPs) shall examine issues pertaining to ECPs within the Association and assist the Executive Council in taking the steps needed to foster awareness of the needs of and to develop inclusive policies toward ECPs. The subcommittee will assist the Executive Council in its efforts to increase ECPs’ representation and engagement in the Association.
• The Committee on Finance shall be responsible for developing and recommending annual budgets and membership dues for the Association, preparing monthly and quarterly financial forecasts and reports, developing mechanisms for non-dues related revenue, recommending how to invest surplus funds, and dealing with other financial matters. The Treasurer of the Association and up to three additional members appointed by the Executive Council shall constitute this committee. The Executive Director and any financial consultant serving as an ex-officio member of the Executive Council shall also serve as non-voting members of the committee.
• The Committee on Nominations and Elections shall act as nominating committee and shall conduct, supervise, certify, and report all elections in writing, according to procedures established in Article VIII. This committee shall be chaired by any past president of the Association.
• The Committee on Continuing Education shall plan and make arrangements for the programs serving the continuing education needs of the Association members. It shall further ensure the continued APA accreditation to enable the Association to provide APA-approved continuing education credits to its members and other program participants.
• The Committee on Practice shall educate psychologists regarding practice issues within multiple settings and populations, as well as advocate for psychologists' ability to practice fully within the scope of their licenses.
• The Committee on Psychology and Law has as its goals: (1) providing a vehicle for understanding the contributions of psychology to the law and legal institutions; (2) promoting the education of psychologists in matters of law and how the law impacts psychological practice; and (3) keeping psychologists and the general public informed of current research, educational and service activities in the field of psychology and law. Working in conjunction with other DPA committees (especially the Ethics committee) the Psychology and Law Committee provides education and consultation on issues related to forensic psychology through workshops, presentations, DPA publications and individual consultation.
• The Committee on Public Education, chaired by the Public Education Coordinator (PEC), is responsible for carrying out the mission of the APA Practice Directorate, to inform opinion leaders and the public about the unique nature of psychology and its value, to the state of Delaware. In this position, the PEC receives information from APA and distributes the information to members of the Public Education Committee who provide public education around the state.