Psych Faculty Member and Alumna Take Opposite Views of Proposed Legislative Bill

CON

As you may or may not know, a proposed legislative bill, HB3006, is being debated in the state legislature’s House Health Care Committee.  In short, this legislative bill would restrict associate-status marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and social workers from operating a private practice, even with proper supervision. In other words, it would require associate-status clinicians–clinicians who already have their master’s degrees but not their licenses–to obtain all post-graduate hours in agencies, institutions, or incorporated clinics.

As Chair of the CFT Program at AUS, I would like to assure you that we are working with leaders in the legislature and the Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (WAMFT) to insure that this bill does not prevail. Essentially, without getting into a lot of complicated detail, this effort represents an attempt on the part of social work to restructure post-master’s clinical licensing requirements in a manner that is more consistent with their own professional practices.  However, since this proposed bill is actually inconsistent with the professional practices of mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy, we are working diligently to make sure this bill is either amended or squashed in its present form.

If you wish to get involved in influencing the outcome of this bill, please feel free to contact your legislator and ask them to oppose HB3006. To do this, find out who represents you in Olympia–go to http://www.leg.wa.gov and click on Find Your Legislators. Please only send messages to your Representatives at this time. Click on their name to find their email addresses and write to them.

Here is a sample of some of the issues you might want to address, but feel free to personalize–especially if you have a story you want to share with them.  For example, “I oppose HB3006 because it will have a negative impact on mental health care in our state. More specifically, this proposed bill is flawed because…”

· It does not clarify the circumstances under which associates may practice; rather, it significantly and detrimentally alters established rules. The Department of Health website states: “An associate cannot provide independent mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or social work for a fee, monetary or otherwise. If an associate is working under the supervision of an approved supervisor, it is not considered independent practice.” It could not be any clearer!

· It will severely cut the mental health care options for our citizens by drastically reducing access, especially for low-income citizens. Thousands of citizens–particularly low-income citizens–depend on associate-level mental health practitioners either because of lack of access to agencies or because they cannot afford the rates of clinical-level mental health practitioners. Under HB3006, citizens will not have this lower-cost option for trained and competent mental health care.

· It is a job-killing bill. The legislature has made job creation a priority in 2010. More than 40% of associate-level marriage and family therapists work in private practice settings with appropriate supervision. Many of them are in private practice because there are not agency, clinic, or institution positions available. Private practice is a crucial part of the marriage and family therapy profession.  Please oppose HB3006!

Paul David, Ph.D.
Antioch core faculty member, School of Applied Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy and chair of the Couple and Family Therapy concentration

PRO

Hi Eric,
 
I would also like folks to know that not all mental health practioners share this opinion of HB 3006.
 
This bill is not intended as a “job killing bill”.  This bill is intended to protect consumers AND the mental health profession. 
 
Many new graduates do go into private practice.  They simply do not have the clinical experience to work competently with consumers.  Many do not have appropriate supervision.  There is nothing currently in the law that prevents new graduates from going into private practice and intimately not providing the best or even appropriate services to consumers.
 
Furthermore, many of us in this profession believe that it is in the best interest of the profession for new graduates to spend time working in agencies, institutions, and incorporated practices in order to further enhance their ability to appropriately and professionally provide mental health services. 
 
This bill aims to ensure that both consumers and the profession is protected.  I would encourage individuals who do not agree with the message that Paul David is sending to support this bill by calling their legislators and testifying in favor of protecting consumers and our profession by supporting this bill.
 
While I appreciate that a faculty member of Antioch has an opinion of this bill, I also believe that it is important that persons receiving this information understand that not all alumni of Antioch share this position. Many professionals in the mental health field do not share this opinion of HB 3006.   Our professional organizations have been working over many years to improve the standards of our profession and to ensure that consumers of mental health care in our State are protected.  This bill is important.  Mental Health Professionals are encouraged to look at all sides of this debate and decide how they want to engage in this issue.    
 
Linda Green-Baskett, M.A.,L.M.H.C. 
thresholdcounsel@q.com

Event To Honor Former Antioch BOV Member

Eric, please share this event announcement with alumni!

Join the Center for Ethical Leadership to honor Eric Liu (former Antioch Board of Visitors member), Mary Flowers, and the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation! March 11th, 5:30-8 pm. Ocean City Restaurant. See link for details. CEL celebrates individuals and groups whose vision, leadership and commitment advances the common good and collective leadership.

http://www.ethicalleadership.org/invitation%20jpeg%20format.jpg

Rebecca Lane
Development Director
Center for Ethical Leadership
WSD 2002

Alumna Looking For Foreign Mechanic & Seamstress

1. KNOW ANY GOOD FOREIGN MECHANICS  IN THE LYNNWOOD - SHORELINE AREA?
My Mazda 3 needs her 45,000 mile service… The Dealer is overpriced.

Thanks alot,
Leslie
Mochi5@yahoo.com

2. LOOKING FOR A SEAMSTRESS - NORTH END - SEATTLE
For regular repairs and also someone who can think out of the box - do tech repairs on outdoor garments and maybe even  make a pattern to make copy pants.
Any ideas? 

Many thanks,
Leslie 
Mochi5@yahoo.com

French Speaking Counselor Needed ASAP

Seeking a French speaking counselor to work with male from Haiti.  He arrived in the United States last Wednesday and is suffering from PTSD.  He is a psychologist in Haiti and is very aware of his need for help.  He speaks very little English. Please contact Laura Arnold at (206) 390-5822 if you are able to assist.

Integrative Training Series on Individual & Couples Therapy

Fellow Alumni,

Rita Resnick and Bob Resnick will back in Seattle next month for the start of an ongoing integrative training series on both Individual and Couples Therapy from a Gestalt perspective(a field theoretical, phenomenological, dialogic and process model).  You will be able to observe the trainers work live (a rare training opportunity) and then participate in discussions of the work as well as optional “hands on” practice with live supervision of volunteer participants.  More details about the structure and objectives of the program are outlined on the attached file and online at:

http://www.gatla.org/sea_training_couples.html

The first workshop will be held the weekend of February 27th and 28th, 2010.

Registration will stay open through the second workshop, May 8th and 9th, 2010 during which new members may still join the series.  Registration will then be closed for the two remaining workshops of this series, October 9-10, and November 20-21, 2010 to build on the concepts outlined during the first two workshops.  Plans will be made for possibly continuing the series beginning in January, 2011 depending on interest.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me (206-571-3069) or email me at brienrwood@gmail.com regarding your questions.  PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL to anyone you think may be interested – we need a minimum number of people to register and unfortunately there are only a few weeks before the program.

Registration is on the website: http://gatla.org/registration_sea.html

I hope to see you at the training.

Warmly,

Brien

Brien R. Wood, M.A. LMHC
206.571.3069 
http://www.BrienWood.com/

Job Opening - Assistant to Director of Couple Services Dept.

The Gottman Institute – Please see Gottman.com for more information

Assistant to the Director of the Couple Services Department
Work from HOME (Seattle area)

Resume and Cover Letter to lwright@gottman.com and put “Couples Assistant Job” in the subject line.
• Principals only. Recruiters please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, NO PHONE CALLS about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services products or commercial interests.

Part-time: 25 hrs/week. Five hours per day, Monday – Friday. Plus 5 weekends per year working at live workshops in Seattle. Monthly Staff meeting required at our Seattle office. Flexible schedule.
Salary Range: $16 - $18 per hour DOE

Primary Responsibilites:
Customer Service
• Use clinical intake/referral skills to assess the appropriate type of assistance for each customer
• Conduct mental health assessments for Domestic Violence, Depression, and Suicidality
• Respond to inquiries via phone or email in a warm, professional and timely manner
• Assist customers with Workshop registrations and referrals as appropriate
Administrative Support
• Process workshop registrations, transfers, etc. through automated ordering system
• Maintain CRM database with all customer contact
• Interact with Order Entry system, Online Store and other specialized programs.
Assist at Live Couples Workshops 5 times per year

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Social Work
• 2 years clinical intake/referral experience in Mental Health setting
• 1 year assessment experience with Domestic Violence, Depression, and Suicidality.
• Adherence to HIPAA regulations and other standards of professional confidentiality
• Excellent customer service skills
• Strong administrative experience and attention to detail – must easily navigate MS Word, Excel, CRM database. Ability to learn specialized software.
• Home office set-up including computer, printer and high speed internet connection, in Seattle-area location. Candidate’s home office set-up must be arranged to assure customer confidentiality in phone conversations, data entry, and records and reports.
• Excellent communication & writing skills
• Self-motivated, must work well independently and collaboratively with an enthusiast, committed team

Strong Preference Given to Candidates with the following:
• Master’s degree in counseling related field
• Strong technical skills and familiarity with current technology applications and options
• Bi-lingual ability, including ASL interpreting
• Familiarity with community resources

Tacoma Job Opening - Health Coordinator Specialist

Health Coordination Specialist: Full-time position available for Sea Mar’s Community Health Access Program (CHAP) that connects people to health homes and resources. This position assists clients, to access insurance, medical and dental care, along with any related services by providing a link between the clients, the community, and health and social service systems, as well as be closely involved in the successful planning of the annual Latina Health Fair.

Must be able to work individually and as a team member, be dedicated to working with underserved communities, must be able to multi-task and have great attention to detail. This position requires excellent organization, problem solving, computer, typing, multi-line phone and customer service skills, experience with and support for cultural/ethnic diversity and familiarity of government health coverage programs. Must be bilingual in English/Spanish and have a Bachelor of Arts degree in a health or social service field or three years of related experience can be substituted for education. Sea Mar Community Health Center provides generous medical, dental and vision coverage.

Please send a cover letter and resume to:
Sea Mar Community Health Centers
Attn: Giselle Zapata-Garcia
1516 S. 11th St
Tacoma, WA 98405

or email to GiselleZapataGarcia@seamarchc.org

Top Environment & Sustainability Speakers To Attend Antioch Event Thursday, Jan. 21

David Basson, CEO of organic apparel manufacturer Greensource, will discuss the numerous steps the company has taken to develop sustainable apparel at an Antioch University Seattle event Thursday, January 21, 2010, from 7-9 p.m. Specifically, he will address how Greensource integrates environmental, social, and economic benefits into its production of trendy and affordable jeans and tops that arecertified to the Global Organic Textile Standard and sold at major retailers such as Walmart (“Faded Glory”), Kmart (“Route 66”), and Kohl’s (“ReGen”).

The lecture, entitled “Transforming the Global Footprint of American Business,” is hosted by the Network for Business Innovation & Sustainability and will be held at the Antioch University Seattle, 2326 Sixth Avenue, Room 100. It is free and open to the public.

Apparel magazine named Greensource a “Sustainability All-Star” in 2009 with the editors noting that Greensource’s “field-to-shelf involvement in creating a more eco-friendly supply chain is particularly focused on keeping toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and defoliants out of the water we drink, the food we eat, and the air we breathe.”

Global retail sales of organic cotton apparel and home textile products reached an estimated $3.2 billion in 2008, according to the Organic Cotton Market Report 2009 by the non-profit organization Organic Exchange. According to the report, Greensource is the ninth largest designer and manufacturer of organic cotton apparel in the world. If its considerable private label productionfor major retailers were taken into account, the company would actually rank much higher.

Other speakers include:
• Karl Ostrom, Co-Director of the Network for Business Innovation & Sustainability (NBIS)
• David Okrent, Brand Director, Environment and Sustainability, The Boeing Company
• Dennis Gawlik, Faculty, Bainbridge Graduate Institute and Director of Purchasing Services, University of Washington.
• Valerie Bone, Director of Quality/Corporate Social Responsibility, Pacific Market International

About Greensource:
Greensource, a trend-forward apparel design and manufacturing company based in Seattle, WA, is one of the nation’s largest suppliers of private-label and branded apparel made with organic cotton. OrganicInStock.com, a division of Greensource, is a large supplier of certified organic cotton blank T-shirts for the men’s, women’s, and children’s markets.

Public Relations Position Available With Seattle City Council

Public Relations Spec, Senior Job Code: 22556  Working Title: Communications Specialist Division: Seattle City Council.  Salary Range: $28.87 to $33.64/hour. Role is to support the communications team to ensure that the work of the Seattle City Council is effectively communicated to the public.  

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinates with content providers and supports content publishing on the Council’s website, communicating consistent messaging and timely postings of news and information, including daily news items, most current Council actions, current videos, etc. 

• Posts information using social media to communicate Council actions/events and facilitates interaction and public engagement 

• Supports the communications team with community outreach and involvement, including logistics and implementation of community forums 

• Assists in a variety of outreach activities, including scheduling, logistics and staffing events 

• Maintains database of print, radio, and television media staff contacts to support coverage of  Council actions and events for timely dissemination of Councilrelated information

REQUIRED EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, & EXPERIENCE: 
Two years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, public relations or public affairs, and either the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or related field, or additional qualifying experience. Excellent written and oral communication skills; working knowledge of local government and the policy-making process; ability to think and speak under pressure; experience in using social networking tools to engage and interact with constituents and target audiences; experience in managing and publishing web content, and utilizing web technologies to drive organizational messaging; sound ethics and good judgment; ability to operate in a fast-paced political environment.                                                                       

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 
Experience working in a political environment; working knowledge of AP Style and editing; experience in event planning and logistics; beginning level Adobe suite of web development tools: Dreamweaver, Acrobat, and Photoshop; familiarity with HTML, CSS, and hand-coding environments.                                                                                                                                                                                                        

HOW TO APPLY: 
Information/application at http://seattle.gov/jobs.  Deadline: January 26.  Contact: Melissa Beatty 206-684-5428

Seattle’s Downtown Emergency Service Center Has Two Job Openings

DESC is now recruiting for a Residential Counselor at Evans House for night shift with Thursday/Friday days off. To apply submit a letter expressing interest in detail and an updated resume to the Human Resources department at hr@desc.org and to Shelby Buchanan at sbuchanan@desc.org. The applications must be received by 1/21/2010 at 12:00pm.  You may obtain a copy of the Job Announcement at http://iww.desc.org/jobs/ or at the administrative office front desk at 515 Third Avenue, Seattle 98104.

DESC is now recruiting for a Residential Counselor at The Lyon Building for a day shift. To apply submit a letter expressing your interest in detail and an updated resume to hr@desc.org and Jeff Winterling at jwinterling@desc.org by 4:30pm on 1/22/2010.  You may obtain a copy of the Job Announcement at http://iww.desc.org/jobs/ or at the administrative office front desk at 515 Third Avenue, Seattle 98104.

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