Collaboration with St. Louis Psych Association

I talked with Dr. Susan Reis today, the President of the St. Louis Psychological Association, in order to develop new ways that MOPA can collaborate with StLPA and serve our mutual needs and concerns.  I am excited to tap into this wonderful group of dedicated psychologists (over 130 strong) who have a vested interest in the legislative affairs that affect psychologists across the state and not just in St. Louis.  Liz Grodsky is currently MOPA's liaison to StLPA and will continue to work with both organizations to bring about positive outcomes for our fellow psychologists. 

Save the Date

The 2012 MOPA Annual Convention is scheduled for March 23-24 at the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission.  Mark your calendars. We'll see you there! 

Brain Injury Association of Missouri Conference

The Brain Injury Association of Missouri 7th Annual Statewide Conference is fast approaching – October 20 – 22, 2011.  In one short month you have the opportunity for exceptional education regarding brain injury.  Learn more about the BIA-MO 7th Annual Statewide Conference or Register online now. 

MOPA is co-sponsoring this event. 

New Ad from APA Insurance Trust

Here is the latest ad from the APA Insurance Trust. To be taken to the website simply click here.

IMPORTANT Message re: MO Health Net Oversight Committee

Dr. Ian McCaslin, director of Missouri Health Net, has informed MOPA that the Governor will be adding a non-physician health care professional to the Missouri Health Net Oversight Committee. This committee guides Medicaid healthcare practices in Missouri. 

I strongly urge everyone who is a Medicaid provider to consider applying in order to make the voice of Psychology heard at the state level. . 

Websites detailing the MO Health Net Oversight Committee:

http://governor.mo.gov/boards/show/MOHEALTHNET

http://www.dss.mo.gov/mhd/oversight/

TO APPLY, COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION FOR GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENT:

http://governor.mo.gov/boards/pdf/BOARDS_AND_COMMISSIONS_APPLICATION.pdf

The solicitation letter sent to me by Dr. McCaslin can be found by clicking here.

Please indicate whether you have taken action on this item by clicking the box below ("I took action on this item").

Welcome New Member!

Welcome new member, Susan Shuman, Psy.D..  Dr. Shuman (nee Campbell) began a new job August 1, 2011 as a full-time Psychologist at the Samaritan Counseling Center (The Center) in St. Joseph, MO.  She is registered as a Health Service Provider.

Testing Materials for Sale

There are four psychological tests for sale:

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -IV (used only twice) - $700.00
Wechsler Memory Scale -IV (used only twice) - $700.00
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - IV - (used) - $300.00
Wide Range Achievement Test -IV (used) - $100.00

Would Prefer to sell as a set, so I will give a $100 off if you buy it that way. Contact Marci at 417-593-6475. Or email marcimanna@aol.com

Office Space/ Sublease

Two offices available for Sublease in a new Psychiatric Private Practice. Location:  Frontenac, MO. Corner of Lindberg Blvd. and Conway Rd.  1400 sq ft Suite has large waiting room, reception area, breakroom and private bath with 4 large offices. There is a separate therapist/patient exit for anonymity.  Both available offices are spacious with windows for natural light.  Referrals are available from practicing child & adolescent psychiatrist and adult/addiction psychiatrist.  Access to internet/fax available. Offices are available starting Oct 1st.  Rates are negotiable b/t $525-$625, depending on size of office.  

Please contact Zinia Thomas: 203-927-6377 or ziniat73@hotmail.com

Upcoming Board Meeting

Reminder:  The next MOPA Executive Board Meeting will be via conference call on Sunday, September 17, 2011 from 8:30 am - 10:30 am.  More information will be sent to board and committee chairs. Meetings are open to members, so please contact Ellen McLean at esmclean@gmail.com or 417-429-2650 for more information &/or if you would like to be added to the Agenda.

Update on CAPP Grant

From Ellen McLean, Executive Director:

MOPA will be applying for a 2012 CAPP Organizational Development Grant in December.  As you may know, the status of all CAPP grant monies to states (including Legislative Grants, Emergency grants) has been dramatically cut because of several financial issues.  Thanks to a number of states, including Missouri, who actively rallied against these proposals and worked with CAPP to find common ground, additional cuts for 2012 have been postponed.  This extension will not necessarily apply to 2013, we are looking at ways to achieve economies of scale... possibly through a multi-state online CE program.

Here is a summary of CAPP Grant status from the Small States Executive Committee:

At this time, the organizational grants will be funded at a minimal of level of $150,000.  Any increase in this amount will be determined during the 2012 budget cycle; preliminary discussions regarding budgets began this Thursday, September 1, 2011.   While this is a reduction from the $250,000 in organizational grants in past years, it does allow CAPP to cover the states that need the funding the most.  Legislative and Emergency grants will also be under funding consideration during the budget process, and as soon as we learn more, we will update you immediately.

As promised, CAPP did reconsider the reduction to the organizational grants. Please know that when the budget allows, the first restoration to funding will be to the STPA grants. CAPP has committed to this and has also stated that they will not allow a state to fail due to lack of funding.

States that need to apply for an organizational grant for the 2012 operational year should continue to plan to complete the process as normal. The criteria for the grants has not changed. CAPP and CESPPA will continue to have an open dialog and the executive committee will report these conversations. We are all working toward a long term solution to this problem. In the meantime, the best thing that all states can do is share the message about the good that is done with CAPP grants. These grants are funded through the special assessments, if our members are not willing to make this contribution, the APAPO and with it the CAPP grants program will eventually cease to exist.

The Doctorate is Still the Gold Standard

Texas judge upholds doctoral standard for independent practice of psychology

August 23, 2011– A Texas judge has affirmed the statutory authority of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (Board) to require that Masters-level trained “psychological associates” be supervised by licensed psychologists, who are required under Texas statute to be trained at the doctoral level.

To read the full article from APA Practice Organization, click here. 

Unsettling News from Florida

APA Practice Organization and Florida Psychological Association challenge recent Florida BCBS actions

August 23, 2011 – Early this month, the Florida Psychological Association (FPA) and the APA Practice Organization (APAPO) learned that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBS FL) and its new behavioral health subcontractor were planning a 30 to 60 percent reduction in psychologists’ reimbursement rates. The considerable payment reductions were part of a new provider contract from the behavioral health carve-out company that included some troubling provisions. Psychologists seemingly were given just 15 days to decide whether to accept the new contract.

Read the full article from APA Practice Organization here.

 

SHRReD

I am working with Wayne Reznick, Ph..D. and Andy Benjamin, JD, PhD, ABPP (President of Div. 31) on a project called SHRReD (State Healthcare Reform Resource Database). It is in the early stages of planning, but looks to be very promising in helping state psychological organizations share useful information on pertinent topics related to advocacy. It seeks to utilize the power of the internet and Web 2.0 services as a means of disseminating information to leaders and members of STPAs.  I will keep everyone updated as I get more involved and learn more.  Stay tuned.....

Call for Nominations for APA Committee on Aging

Call for Nominations to the APA Committee on Aging

The Committee on Aging (CONA) is accepting nominations, including self-nominations, for two new members. CONA is the chief committee within the APA governance structure charged with addressing aging concerns. In its 11th year of existence, CONA seeks full members of APA with specialization in aging issues to serve a three-year term beginning January 2012 and ending December 2014.

CONA, a six-member Committee, places priority on maintaining representation within the Committee’s membership that reflects the diversity of psychology and society, including (a) individuals with experience in research, clinical training and practice, policy and advocacy, and education; (b) early- and mid-career psychologists and those who are retired or employed less than full time; and (c) diversity with respect to ethnicity, culture, age, gender, ability, sexual orientation, and geographic location.

CONA’s mission is to advance psychology as a science and profession and as a means of promoting health and human welfare by ensuring that older adults, especially the growing numbers of older women and members of minority groups, receive the attention of the Association.  Its goals include:

• provide leadership for a scientific agenda on aging
• advocate for policies that enhance availability and reimbursement of health and mental health services to older adults and their families
• contribute to the formulation and support of public policies that promote optimal development of older adults, facilitate psychological practice with older persons, and expand scientific understanding of adult development and aging
• promote inclusion of knowledge about adult development and aging in all levels of education
• develop and disseminate information concerning the scientific findings and practice issues about older adults
• serve as a visible focus for the coordination of information among groups within APA that address aging issues and offer consultation to relevant APA boards, committees, divisions, state associations, and directorates
• ensure that older members of APA receive appropriate attention from the Association.

CONA provides an overview of activities and members since its inception.

Selected candidates are required to attend two committee meetings each year in Washington, DC, with expenses reimbursed by the APA. The Committee will meet on March 30-April 1 and October 5-7, 2012; March 15-17 and September 20-22, 2013.  Members are encouraged to attend a CONA meeting held during the APA Convention at their own expense. CONA is a working committee with ongoing time sensitive and consuming projects that require members’ attention. Members are expected to participate in frequent email discussions and bi-monthly conference calls, work on Committee priorities between meetings, provide consultation to the Director of the APA Office on Aging, and participate in policy advocacy activities.

Nomination materials should include a current curriculum vitae and a letter from the nominee indicating their commitment to serve on CONA and highlighting specific competencies, interests, and potential contributions to the work of CONA. Letters of support from other APA governance groups and divisions, state psychological associations, or other organizations are desirable but not required. Prior applicants are encouraged to reapply.

Nominations and supporting materials should be sent by August 26, 2011 to: Deborah DiGilio, Director of the Office on Aging, American Psychological Association, 750 First St. NE, Washington, DC, 20002-4242 or via e-mail to ddigilio@apa.org.

Call for Nominations for APA LGBT Committee

Call for Nominations to the Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Concerns

Targeted Nominations Statement for Terms Beginning in 2012

The Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns (CLGBTC) seeks nominations for two positions beginning January 1, 2012. Nominees are sought who have experience or expertise relevant to one or more of the following areas:

• People with disabilities 
• Transgender people 
• Indigenous people 
• LGBT youth, especially bullying 
• Self-identification as an ally 
• Public policy 
• Dissemination and implementation of reports and guidelines

The Committee particularly welcomes nominations of ethnic minority psychologists, bisexual psychologists, psychologists with disabilities, and transgender psychologists, and other psychologists who are members of underrepresented groups. In considering nominees, the Committee will also consider the range of major fields and specializations in psychology and the geographic diversity represented in its membership.

The Committee's mission is to:

• Study and evaluate on an ongoing basis how the issues and concerns of lesbian, gay male, bisexual, and transgender psychologists can best be dealt with;
• Encourage objective and unbiased research in areas relevant to lesbian, gay male, bisexual, and transgender adults and youths and the social impact of such research;
• Examine the consequences of inaccurate information and stereotypes about lesbian, gay male, bisexual, and transgender adults and youth in clinical practice;
• Develop educational materials for distribution to psychologists and others; and
• Make recommendations regarding the integration of these issues into the APA's activities to further the cause of civil and legal rights of lesbian, gay male, bisexual, and transgender psychologists within the profession.

The Committee shall consist of six members, three of whom self-identify as women and three of whom self-identify as men, to be appointed for staggered terms of three years. Transgender members who do not self-identify as either women or men may fill either a female or a male seat, in alternation (for example, if there were two transgender members who did not identify as either women or men, one would fill a male seat and one would fill a female seat). It shall report to Council through the Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest.

How to Apply

The nominee and/or nominator should provide a statement of interest, highlighting the nominee's qualifications for the Committee and expertise or interest in the targeted areas above; the nominee's curriculum vita should accompany this statement. Self nominations are accepted.

Nomination materials are to be received by August 31, 2011, mail to:

CLGBTC Nominations
Public Interest Directorate
American Psychological Association
750 First St., NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242

Or e-mail CLGBTC.