AACAP Engagement Pathways
Explore opportunities for networking, mentorship and possible sponsorship through the following:
AACAP COMPONENTS
Trainees may explore a career in child and adolescent psychiatry across a variety of forums within AACAP. The specialty/identity focused components below offer opportunities to grow personally and professionally through collaborations, networking and attending activities that provide greater exposure to the varying topics and issues specific to the specialty throughout the year, and during the Annual Meeting.
AACAP Committees
There are more than 60 committees of which ~ 40 are specialty focused. Each committee has 13 formal spots, with 2-year appointments, and some committees include one resident member appointment. While the Committee on Medical Students and Residents (MSR) is the only component that allows formal medical student committee member appointments and each committee only has one appointment spot allotted to a resident/fellow, all AACAP trainees are encouraged to explore the feasibility for involvement on committees in an affiliate capacity. To sign up for committee involvement in other specialty focused components,
- Visit the AACAP joining a committee webpage, and view recent committee reports; reports may include current initiatives and how often a committee meets.
- For any components of interest, contact the designated AACAP staff liaison and inquire as to whether the meetings are open (allowing members to participate in an affiliate capacity) and whether it is possible to join the contact list.
- Keep a look out for upcoming meetings in AACAP News Clips
ADVOCACY
Members who wish to engage in mental health advocacy, learning about the latest state and federal initiatives and effective strategies to organize grassroots activities may join the Advocacy Liaison Network.
ACADEMIC
The AACAP Alliance for Learning and Innovation (AALI), is a subgroup of AACAP’s Training and Education Committee committed to curating and highlighting dynamic teaching and training initiatives within medical education and child and adolescent psychiatry programs to share across the AACAP Community.
CAUCUS GROUPS
AACAP’s Caucus groups provide a forum for AACAP members within their own racial/ethnic groups and international medical graduates to network and collaborate on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-focused initiatives. Activities include providing affinity-based mentorship, convening in safe spaces to discuss identity-focused challenges specific to their workplaces and communities, and work on programming, advocacy activities, and publications to highlight topics of shared interest within the cohorts. The five AACAP Caucuses are:
- Arab Caucus
- Asian Caucus
- Black Caucus
- Hispanic-Latinx Caucus
- International Medical Graduate (IMG) Caucus
These groups meet at varying times throughout the year.
Sign up here if you wish to receive notifications of upcoming AALI, Caucus and trainee events.
MENTORSHIP
AACAP is in the process of improving and making updates to the mentor search process. In the meantime, please use resources on this page to contact potential mentors.
AACAP MENTOR SEARCH TOOLS
Ongoing Mentorship
Examples of current virtual sessions that facilitate networking with CAP professionals about training, work experience and other career information across different specialties
- How to Do CAP Research Workshop Series: A DEI Initiative
- Life Members Virtual Mentorship Program
- Career Development Forum Series
- NextGen CAPs Excellence Through Mentorship Series
- Physically Ill Child Committee's Curbside Chats Series
- Substance Use Committee Journal Club
- University of California, Irvine School of Medicine Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Special Interest Group’s Diversity in Mental Health Series
- University of California, San Diego’s CAP Inclusive Excellence Program Series
Annual Meeting Mentorship
Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows: Meet Life Member Mentors at the AACAP Annual Meeting
- Inaugural Annual Meeting trainee mentorship event during which trainees network with AACAP's most distinguished senior leaders, the AACAP Life Members. View mentors who participated in the most recent AACAP Annual Meeting session here.
Medical Student and Resident Breakfast
- Open to all medical students, residents, and fellows, the Medical Student and Resident Breakfast provides an opportunity for medical students and residents to network with peers, as well as prominent child and adolescent psychiatry mentors, in an informal setting. Guided by a program theme, an early, mid and late career CAP selected by trainees share their career experiences and participate in a Q&A with the attendees. View mentors who were selected to present at the most recent AACAP Annual Meeting session here.
Two Day Mentorship Program for Medical Students and Residents
- Trainees are paired with early to senior child and adolescent psychiatrist mentors to build relationships, share ideas, address challenges, and reflect on work-life balance. View mentors who participated in the most recent AACAP Annual Meeting sessions here.
Meet and Greet
- Informal networking forums for trainees to meet with Training Program Directors and Committee Members, introduce themselves, obtain expert advice from mentors, and learn about various ways to participate in available opportunities. View leaders who participated in the most recent AACAP Annual Meeting sessions below:
Mentorship Mingle
- Informal networking forum for trainees interested in research to meet with AACAP research leaders and receive guidance on CAP research pathways. View researchers who participated in the most recent AACAP Annual Meeting session here.
Life After Combined Training: Perspectives and Mentorship Opportunities for Triple Board and Post-Pediatric Portal
Graduates
- Trainees interested in Triple Board and Post-Pediatric Portal Programs can participate in a Q&A session with certified AACAP leaders and Members.
NEW!! Early Pipeline Workforce Development Mentorship and Networking Program
- In collaboration with AACAP’s Diversity and Culture Committee and the Caucus groups, AACAP will launch a pilot program designed to expose future generations from underrepresented communities to rewarding CAP careers.
AWARDS
TRAINEE NAVIGATION TOOLS
The following tools provide guidance on navigating engagement in AACAP, including paths for committee exploration, professional development, collaboration and leadership opportunities.
Other Resources