In 2017, the American Psychological Association (APA) commissioned a joint collaboration by four of its divisions to produce a practical guiding document for psychologists to engage in advocacy toward the goals of diversity and social justice. The resulting guide, Community Advocacy: A Psychologist’s Toolkit for State and Local Advocacy has now been released. The toolkit leverages the scientific expertise of the APA and its members to outline numerous highly practical steps psychologists and others can take toward advocating for social justice. Those desiring to act will find guidance on avenues, techniques, and obstacles is this brief, highly readable, and impactful document. The Colorado College Psychology Department recommends this document.
https://www.communitypsychology.com/advocacytoolkit/
From the Preface:
This Advocacy Toolkit developed as a result of a joint effort between four divisions of the American Psychological Association (APA): Division 17, the Society of Counseling Psychology; Division 27, the Society for Community Research and Action; Division 35, the Society for the Psychology of Women; and Division 45, the Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race. The goals were to develop a science-based, high-quality advocacy toolkit that highlights different forms of advocacy strategies to inform policy at the state and local levels and to build a community of grassroots psychologist advocates that can intervene to promote well-being in the communities in which they reside.
Table of Contents
5 Commission
6 Acknowledgments
7 Preface
8 Brief Statement on Values
9 Definitions and Distinctions
12 Psychologists as Advocates
15 Psychologists’ Skills for Successful Advocacy
18 The Policy Arena
20 Getting Started in Advocacy
23 A Primer on Advocacy
30 Policy Influence Methods
44 Institutional or Organizational Advocacy
46 Challenges to Advocacy Work and the Need for Self-Care
51 Ethical Considerations
54 Conclusion
56 References
60 Web Addresses for Hyperlinks
62 Additional Electronic Resources