Queer Neuropsychological Society Strategic Plan, 2020-2021
Priority One: Creating a community that promotes excellence in Queer neuropsychology and celebrates Queer neuropsychological providers.
Vision Statement: QNS will become a world leader in neuropsychology for the Queer community by fostering connections between Queer and allied neuropsychologists and other health care professionals to promote professional collaboration, consultation, mentorship, and career development.
Objective 1.1: Create an initial governing structure and outline for the development of QNS.
Strategy: Formalize commitment from QNS founders.
Strategy: Founders commit to bi-weekly meetings (or more frequently, as needed) to discuss QNS-related topics.
Strategy: Founders create initial QNS infrastructure, including QNS email address and drive, via Google products.
Strategy: Founders collaboratively create working mission and vision statements, initial QNS by-laws, and Strategic Plan to guide QNS formation.
Strategy: Founders identify leaders in Queer neuropsychology who may be interested in QNS leadership roles and collect relevant contact information for use during recruitment phase.
Objective 1.2: Create and oversee forums where Queer and Queer-allied neuropsychologists can communicate, socialize, and support each other.
Strategy: Create an electronic system for interested parties to apply for QNS membership using Google Forms; this will include a general membership application form and contact list.
Strategy: Build the framework for a member directory for QNS members.
Strategy: Create a member-only directory for QNS members to access fellow members' contact information; this can be opt-in/out.
Strategy: Create a listserv to be the primary forum for communication among QNS members using Google Lists.
Strategy: Establish a protocol for the QNS listserv.
Strategy: Open social media accounts including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter; assign members to oversee these media.
Objective 1.3: Begin recruitment of QNS members/leadership.
Strategy: Send emails invitations to previously identified leaders in Queer neuropsychology.
Strategy: Founders meet with interested parties to gauge interest in QNS/fit for leadership positions.
Strategy: Create QNS governing system, specifying the titles and duties of QNS officers.
Strategy: Finalize QNS membership system, specifying levels of membership and associated benefits.
Strategy: As membership grows, form a Steering Committee consisting of multiple members of QNS leadership to guide continued growth.
Strategy: Send invitations for general QNS membership via established professional listservs (e.g., NSYCH, APA (Div. 40, Div. 44, Div. 22), AACN, ANST, HNS, SBN, ANA, among others) and social media.
Strategy: Track membership applications to ensure appropriate membership and identify individuals interested in leadership positions.
Objective 1.4: Create a QNS website designed to provide members with access to all QNS information and resources
Strategy: Identify a web-developer
Strategy: Assign members of QNS leadership to develop website
Objective 1.5: Organize and sponsor annual social events for Queer and allied neuropsychologists at each of the major neuropsychological conferences; Events shall be remote until in-person gatherings can be conducted safely.
Strategy: Create a committee to plan events at the INS, NAN, and AACN conferences.
Objective 1.6: Start an QNS newsletter.
Strategy: Create a committee to plan and implement a newsletter.
Strategy: Newsletter features should emphasize community building among Queer and allied neuropsychologists and celebrating Queer providers.
Strategy: A QNS newsletter should be produced twice a year and distributed to QNS members via email.
Objective 1.7: Extend QNS membership to the wider neuropsychological community, including professionals in allied brain-health fields.
Strategy: Create a task force to develop plans for fostering relationships with other like-minded organizations.
Priority Two: Developing resources and educational content for neuropsychologists providing services to the Queer community.
Vision Statement: QNS will develop the premiere centralized source of up-to-date peer-reviewed research, educational materials, and resources related to Queer neuropsychology, resulting in availability of culturally competent neuropsychological services for Queer individuals around the world.
Objective 2.1: Create a resource list of peer-reviewed publications, reference materials, books, and other resources that promote effective and appropriate neuropsychological services for Queer populations.
Strategy: Create a shared document of resources located on the QNS website; resources will be available to all (i.e., access will not be membership gated).
Strategy: Committees (Research, Education, Communications) will cooperate to manage the list and update whenever possible.
Strategy: Resources are to include at least the following: 1) Peer-reviewed research on the use of psychometric measures with various subpopulations of the Queer community, including updated normative data; 2) Peer-reviewed research on factors that influence neurodevelopment/aging within the Queer community; 3) Resources on best-practices; 4) Access to measures within the public domain developed to asses unique facets of Queer individuals; 5) Information on sources of clinician bias and culturally informed practices when working with Queer individuals; 6) Information on relevant Queer history to provide context and promote understanding of the Queer experience; 7) Information on how to support Queer neuropsychological trainees at all stages in training; 8) Information on how cognitive assessment and psychology has historically been used to oppress members of the Queer community, and information on how today’s providers can minimize harm.
Objective 2.2: Create a resources list of Queer-affirming health care providers in various geographic regions to facilitate communication and appropriate referrals; the list will be made available to all on the QNS website.
Strategy: The QNS Resource Committee will oversee and update this list and develop a system to systematically update the list.
Strategy: Create a uniform structural template of material to be included in resource, including (but not limited to): 1) Name of organization/resource; 2) Services offered; 3) Population Served; 4) Qualifications; and 5) Cost/Payment Options.
Strategy: Contact health care providers/organizations serving the Queer community to get more information, as needed.
Objective 2.3: QNS members will be encouraged to share clinical knowledge and provide consultation via the QNS listserv.
Strategy: QNS members will be explicitly asked to share clinical, research, and ethical concerns on the QNS listserv.
Strategy: Listserv posting will be archived in a searchable document so providers may search for previous discussion.
Objective 2.4: QNS members will remain current on Queer-related research.
Strategy: New publications relevant to Queer neuropsychology will be distributed on the QNS listserv and social media platforms and highlighted on the QNS website.
Strategy: The QNS Resource Committee will monitor this.
Objective 2.5: QNS will develop and organize live and on-demand Queer-related educational opportunities, including Continuing Education (CE) credits, to QNS members and non-members.
Strategy: Create a committee to oversee educational training.
Strategy: Obtain certification from relevant governing boards so that educational opportunities qualify for Continuing Education (CE) credits for licensed psychologists and other medical/mental health providers.
Strategy: Reach out to leaders in Queer neuropsychology who may be interested in providing live or pre-recorded webinars on matters relevant to Queer neuropsychology.
Strategy: Collaborate with other Queer-focused health care providers to develop educational opportunities to QNS members and non-members; QNS members may also develop educational opportunities to other allied organizations.
Strategy: Create an online archive of live webinars that can be available on-demand.
Strategy: Develop relationships with other neuropsychological organizations, including HNS, ANA, SBN, NAN, INS, AACN, and KnowNeuropsychology, to collaborate on remote and live educational opportunities.
Priority Three: Creating a support network for Queer neuropsychologists-in-training via mentorship, educational, and networking opportunities.
Vision Statement: There will be a growth of ABPP-certified Queer neuropsychologists in clinical and academic settings.
Objective 3.1: Create a QNS Student Committee to run all related activities.
Strategy: The Student Committee will consist of current neuropsychology trainees at all stages of training (i.e., prospective neuropsychology trainees, graduate students, interns, post-doctoral fellows).
Strategy: A student member will serve on the QNS executive board and be a liaison between the Student Committee and the Board.
Objective 3.2: Organize networking events designed to connect Queer neuropsychology students with each other and potential mentors.
Strategy: Sponsor events at all major neuropsychology conferences.
Strategy: Sponsor career development events during which Queer neuropsychology trainees can interact directly with Queer neuropsychologists and discuss a variety of topics.
Strategy: Promote a culture of inclusion and support that encourages the fostering of long-term professional relationships and network building.
Objective 3.3: Develop formal mentoring program to pair Queer neuropsychology trainees with Queer neuropsychologists.
Strategy: Request collaboration with APAGS-CSOGD.
Strategy: Define structure, expectations, and process for accountability.
Strategy: Launch recruitment for the Mentorship program once per year.
Strategy: Create a directory of licensed Queer neuropsychologists who are willing to have a mentee, including their clinical/research interests, experiences, expertise, etc.
Strategy: Match Queer students and mentors based on shared factors.
Strategy: Host in-person or remote events to allow mentors and mentees to meet.
Priority Four: Supporting neuropsychologists and other allied professionals conducting research on Queer brain health and neuropsychological assessment.
Vision Statement: The provision of neuropsychological services to Queer individuals will continue to improve through ongoing research on biopsychosocial factors underlying Queer brain health and neurocognitive outcomes.
Objective 4.1: Create a research committee to oversee all research efforts through QNS
Strategy: Create a QNS Research Chair position that will liaise with the Executive Board.
Strategy: Include individuals of all experience levels (e.g., students, interns, post-docs, licensed providers).
Objective 4.2: Create an annual stipend to be awarded to researchers investigating topics related to Queer neuropsychology.
Strategy: QNS Research Chair will work with the Executive Board to determine criteria for research stipend eligibility.
Strategy: Create an application for neuropsychologists and neuropsychology trainees to apply for funding.
Strategy: QNS Research Chair will develop fundraising activities to fund the stipend.
Priority Five: Engage in local, national, and international advocacy efforts to further the health and quality of life of Queer individuals.
Vision Statement: Become a leader in national and international Queer advocacy.
Objective 5.1: Create an Advocacy Committee to oversee all advocacy efforts through QNS
Strategy: Create a QNS Advocacy Chair position that will liaise with the Executive Board.
Strategy: Include individuals of all experience levels (e.g., students, interns, post-docs, licensed providers).
Strategy: The Advocacy Committee will determine guidelines for potential issues appropriate for QNS to address and methods of advocacy (e.g., statements, letter writing, educational activities).
Objective 5.2: Dedicate a portion of the QNS website for updates on policies and legislation impacting Queer individuals internationally.
Strategy: Designate individuals within the QNS Advocacy Committee to monitor news cycles for relevant information.