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September 2008 Edition 

Dear NSPA Members,

 The May dinner meeting featured our own Dr. Robin Timm who spoke on “Chronic Pain Assessment: Tools for Clinicians.”  We found out that Robin is not only a competent and professional neuropsychologist, but also a whiz at power point presentations.

 After a quiet and hopefully relaxing summer, your local psychological association has many plans in the hopper, with details still to come. There are many opportunities for you to become involved, and the more you do so, the more you will gain from your NSPA membership.  Here are few highlights: 

 I welcome your ideas.  Contact me at lhl@lessenger.net or 707-751-0289.

 Leslie Lessenger, PhD

NSPA President
 

Put on your Calendars!!

Annual NSPA Holiday Reception !

For Members and Their Guests

Friday, December 5, 2008 6:00 to 8:30 pm

at

586 Montecito

Napa, Ca

Special Guest:  CPA President Elect Janet Hurwich, Ph.D.

 RSVP to:  bluesky@napanet.net or 707 224 7411

NSPA Meeting minutes July 2008

Actions:

1. Delegated Markley Sutton to take Dave Loberg’s place as CPA rep at October 4 meeting.

2. Authorized Linda Napholz to sign an MOU with American Red Cross Bay Area (ARCBA) as DNR chair.  This will facilitate communication between the two groups in case of local emergency.

3. Agreed to invite Dr. Emily Karem to an evening meeting for a presentation on Contact of Law Enforcement with Persons with Mental Disabilities, as a possible entry into this topic for future action.

4. Focus on the topic of Dementia and Aging for a 5 – 6 hour educational event

5. Consider an early December social event at member’s home, inviting Janet Hurwich, PhD, CPA President Elect ’09.

6. Dave to approach Dr. Koropkin re: November dinner meeting

 Future plans: Board meeting Wednesday, August 20 1 PM, Jonesy’s.

NSPA Meeting minutes August 2008

Present: Drs. Linda Napholz, Debra Inman, Dick Geisler, Robin Timm, Markley Sutton, Leslie Lessenger

I.  September 17 meeting – Teo Ernst,PsyD,

            “Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Interventions for Newly Returning       Veterans”

II.  November 19 meeting – Speaker: Dr. Koropkin – Seizure Management (confirmed      by Dave after meeting)

III. Co-sponsorship request from Rahima Schmall

            NSPA (ie. Linda) will arrange CEU credit through CPA for “Opening the Heart of Healthcare” course at Napa Comm. College; NSPA members (including those joining that day) will receive discount registration.  NSPA will collect $10/CEU applicant, $5 of which goes to CPA. Leslie will assist with registration, etc. if needed.

IV.  Dementia forum

            Audience: It was decided that audience will be healthcare professionals:      psychologists, MFT, LCSW and nurses.

            Topics: TBA:

Neurological Basics

                        Diagnosis

                        Caregiver Support

                        Cultural Competence

            Date: TBA

            Speakers: Celine Regalia, the Director of Adult Day Service – Contacted by Linda ,Dr. Timm, Dr. Sutton – Mark will send existent power point to Robin.  Potential outline using member expertise to be presented at next meeting.

V. December 5 Annual Holiday Reception –.  Members and potential members, 

Place: Debra’s house

                        Time: 6 PM – 8:30 PM

                        Food: COSTCO + member donations of wine

            Special guest: Dr. Hurwich, CPA pres elect 2009

                        Invitations: Robin

VI.       Newsletter – Markley will send out July-Aug this weekend

VII.       Next Board meeting: Wednesday, October 22 1 PM

            Looking for new webmaster

CPA has a special arrangement with Merchant Solutions, the credit card processing company we use for our transactions, to offer their services to CPA members.  Please check them out at

http://www.cpapsych.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=188

They return a very small percentage to CPA, so your use of this service (if it works for you) also helps support CPA.            Thanks,

 Jo

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jo Linder-Crow, PhD, Executive Director

California Psychological Association and CPA Foundation

3835 No. Freeway Blvd., Suite 240

Sacramento, CA 95834

(p) 916.286.7979 x115 (f) 916.286.7971

 Visit us at www.cpapsych.org

 The California Psychological Association is moving!

We are excited to be moving next week to our new office location in downtown Sacramento at:

1231 I Street, Suite 204
Sacramento, CA 95814-2933 

In This Issue

1. Emergency Preparedness with the American Red Cross

2. New Little Hoover Commission report on Juvenile Justice Realignment

3. Chapter Task Force  Minutes

4. CPA-GAC Steering Committee Conference Call Minutes
5. CPA Call for Paper – CPA Convention 2009

6. HELP WANTED

1. Part of the Agreement with the American Red Cross

V.                METHOD OF COOPERATION

In order to coordinate and effectively use mental health resources in times of disaster, the NSPA and the ARCBA have agreed to the following:

1.     The NSPA will assist the ARCBA in developing and implementing a local disaster preparedness program that targets the mental health needs of Red Cross workers and disaster victims at the site of the disaster or through the local chapter, as needed.

2.     The NSPA will develop a directory of trained licensed psychologists who may be called upon to deliver mental health services in times of disaster.  For purposes of the agreement, once mobilized, these psychologists will become Red Cross volunteers and will follow appropriate disaster services protocols.  The ARCBA will provide appropriate identification for participating psychologists to wear when working as Red Cross volunteers. 

3.     All participating psychologists will be required to complete the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Services course, which certifies them as Red Cross volunteers for work at the site of disasters.  

4.     During a disaster, the ARCBA is required to collect information about disaster victims for the purpose of (1) maintaining a central registration to account for the numbers, names, and locations of disaster victims who are injured; (2) responding to disaster welfare inquiries from relatives who live outside the disaster area; (3) facilitating the availability of assistance to disaster victims and families; and (4) documenting statistical anonymous data for authorized scientific research regarding disaster-related injuries and illnesses.  The Red Cross has specific policies that protect the confidentiality of information obtained from clients, directly or indirectly, by paid and volunteer staff (see ARC 3030, Response).  ARCBA reporting and documentation procedures for Disaster Mental Health Services will comply with the ethical requirements of the American Psychological Association, and with the local, state and federal requirements pertaining to mandatory reporting and safeguarding of confidential information.

5.     The NSPA and ARCBA will collaborate with other emergency mental health service organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area to efficiently meet the needs of victims and service providers in times of disaster.

VI.              TERMS OF AGREEMENT

 The executive staff of the NSPA and ARCBA will maintain copies of the Statement of Understanding.  This statement is in force as of the date indicated below and shall remain in force until termination by written notification from either party.

2. New Little Hoover Commission report on Juvenile Justice Realignment

You can access the report at: http://www.lhc.ca.gov/lhcdir/192/report192.pdf.

3. Chapter Task Force  June 18, 2008  Conference Call

Present:   Drs. Nancy Gardner, Markley Sutton, Janet Hurwich and Hugh Pates.

Absent:    Dr. Evelyn Novello, Marvin Megibow, Miguel Gallardo, Luli Emmons, Kathleen Fitzgerald,  and Ilene Serlin.

Staff:              Dr. Jo Linder-Crow and Patricia VanWoerkom

I.  Welcome and Introductions

A.  Agenda Check

II.   Review of progress to date

A.     Report on progress to date on manual – Dr. Hurwich presented the written report of the first survey and her general experience of the survey process and the next two questions.   Dr. Hurwich has been initiating on-line conversations with all responders; decision to send compiled responses to all who were invited to join the survey.  Some Chapters have manuals which are willing to share. 

Discussion of how to present this information on the CPA website, when and access. Probably need to wait until there are more Chapter responses; however, announcing the intent to post on the website may spur Chapters to get more involved.   Potential to organize and cross-reference survey responses by issues (membership) or chapter size or responding Chapter. 

Current questions are:

1.      What are your successes (bragging rights)?

2.      What problems have you successfully solved?

3.      What Chapters do you see as similar to yours?  How do you connect with them?  What benefits do you receive?

4.      Who do you call at CPA when you have a challenge or question?  Why do you call?

5.      How do you connect with your local community? 

The responses to this one has “marketing” potential to highlight what members are doing.  Potentially a CP  theme  -  All Psychology is Local; We are Psychology. 

6.      What resources do you have as a Chapter President?  What do you wish you had had or known before you came a Chapter President? 

Suggestion of an additional question area around fiscal viability:  how does the dues process work on a practical level;  where do you obtain non-dues revenue;  how do you address the perceived value versus cost of membership.  What has been successful for you in funding over the past couple of years and what plans do you see in the near future?  Dual membership not part of the initial survey as intent was to come from a very chapter supportive positive note. 

B.     Discussion of Presidential Forum to begin in Sept  -  This is a conference call for current Presidents and President-Elects initially and then to discuss whether to hold niche calls (large/small Chapters, current/pres-elect) as needed.

III.  Next Steps

A.     Review items a-j from notes from June 18th conference call.  Not addressed

B.     Make more specific plans to move ahead on these steps, both the manual and other recommendations.   The contents of the TaskForce report to the October BOD meeting will be a significant agenda item for next meeting. 

C.     Affiliate Agreements - Question of whether a Charter (or some form of written agreement)  can or should be created that specifies the requirements and benefits of both sides of the relationship; to answer the question,  “What does it mean to be an affiliate of CPA?”    Process for this would to include this as a recommendation in the final report from the task force.  With this tool, potential for approaching other allied or potentially allied groups.  This eventually would take a change in CPA bylaws. 

This would extend the concept of CPA being a central hub for resources and networking. 

D.  Leadership Profiles - Discussion idea of profiling a Chapter President – why did you become a Chapter President, what have you learned/gained from the experience.  Potentially using an interview style ala Sacramento magazine – both fun and inspirational.  Potentially using the website as a vehicle since the CP is only published 6 times per year. 

Next Meeting --  Friday, September 5^th;   8 – 9 am

4.  CPA-GAC Steering Committee Conference Call Minutes
Monday, July 21, 2008

Members on Call:
James Peck, Michi Fu, Doris Penman, Sari Sheppird, Sallie Hildebrandt

Staff on Call:
Chuck Faltz, Amanda Levy, Matthew Yeates

Guest(s):
Nancy Piotrowski

A. AB 1486: LPC Bill (Asm. Charles Calderon)
AB 1486 was due to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 14^th; however, due to the author’s illness, the bill was not heard, and is now scheduled to be heard on August 4^th.

New Developments:
The sponsor of AB 1486, CCCL (California Coalition for Counselor Licensure) has hired a top lobbying firm to help with the passage of the bill. A. Levy believes that they are trying to pull a Republican to their side. Currently, the Republicans on the committee are all opposed to the bill.

1. A. Levy wants a heavy grassroots effort to the offices of Senator Jenny Oropeza (D-Long Beach), and the Chair of the Committee Senator Tom Torlakson (D-Contra Costa County). She believes that if these members vote no, the chances of the bill failing passage will improve greatly.
2. Senator Joe Simitian (D- San Mateo County) and Senator Yee (D-South San Francisco, portion of San Mateo County) have told CPA that they plan to vote against the bill.

B. AB 239: Alcohol and Drug Counselor Bill (Asm. Mark DeSaulnier)

AB 239 is currently on the Senate Floor. The bill that is on the floor is the bill that we have a neutral position on. AB 239 has not been amended as of Friday, July 18.

New Developments:

The California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) has contacted the author’s (Asm. DeSaulnier) office and offered amendments to AB 239. Asm. DeSaulnier’s office has shared these amendments with CPA and asked for comments.

The amendments would do the following to the bill:

Alcohol and Drug Counselors would remain tiered into a master’s and bachelor’s level licensure, and would be allowed to work in a public or private setting. The bill adds s licensed professional counselor who could only work in a facility. It removes all specific language regarding training, supervision and referrals, with ADP wanting to address these during the regulations process.

CPA will take an OPPOSE position if these amendments are introduced. These amendments would remove most of the work CPA did to compromise on the bill, and CPA does to wish remove the legislature from the process.

C. SB 963: Board of Psychology Sunset Bill  

The Senate Business and Professions Committee (Sen. B&P) wishes to make changes to the CA Boards sunset process. Changes include: Removal of the automatic “sunset” process public disclosure of ex parte communications involving Board Members; timely, uniform posting public minutes of hearings, providing incentives to licensees to participate in pro-bono programs; and making the board’s Executive Officers subject to DCA approval and Senate confirmation.

Several boards are due to sunset at the end of the year (including the Board of Psychology), and the Sen. B&P appears to be using this as leverage to get their reforms signed by the Governor. The problem is that this leverage against the Governor has never worked before, so several boards and profession organizations (like CPA) are getting nervous.

A. Levy will contact these other boards and professional organizations and together form a coalition to find another vehicle for sunset extension, and possibly including some of the less controversial reforms within.

D.  Dept. of Public Health (DPH) Hospital Practice Regulations

DPH and the Office of Administrative Law have released the new hospital practice regulations. For the most part the regulations look very good, and we expect that the California Psychiatric Association and the Union of American Physicians and Dentists will oppose the regulations and then file a suit against their implementation.

The regulations are available at the link below:

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/services/DPOPP/regs/Pages/DPH-05-010ScopeofPracticeinLicensedHealthFacilities.aspx

The public hearing for these regulations is scheduled for September 29, 2008. Look for CPA Grassroots Action in the next week.

E. CPA/CDCR Pilot Project Proposal  

CDCR will not be moving forward with a Psychologist RxP Pilot Project.  CPA will be pursing the issue with the California Primary Care Association.

Matthew Yeates
Grassroots Manager
California Psychological Association
1231 I Street, Suite 204
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-286-7979 ext. 107
916-724-0436 (fax)
myeates@cpapsych.org
 "Never doubt that a small group of concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

5. California Psychological Association Annual Convention
April 16-19, 2009 - Marriott Oakland City Center

Psychology - A Leadership Profession

Psychologists occupy leadership roles in promoting human health and welfare, making a difference in the lives of others and actively supporting and advancing psychology.

For the 2009 Convention, we invite proposals that will highlight psychologists' roles in:

CPA is committed to including multicultural diversity and a developmental life-span perspective throughout the convention. We are actively seeking proposals at the intermediate and advanced levels.  We encourage presentations that provide opportunities for interactivity and an exchange of ideas between participants and presenters. We are particularly interested in proposals that illustrate the effective integration of research and practice.

The CPA Call for Presentations process is web-based. Please go to www.cpapsych.org to submit your proposal.

Submission Deadline is August 22, 2008

 WEBMASTER:  Dick Geisler has been the webmaster for some time now and he would like to pass the mantle to someone new.  This is minimal work and a great creative outlet!  Please contact Dick Geisler, PhD for more info: Dickgeisler@aol.com.

 CLASP REPRESENTATIVE (Colleagues Assistance and Support Program):

 CLASP offers an Information and Referral Service that is monitored by the CPA CLASP Committee.   The representative is a liaison between the CLASP Executive Committee and the local chapter.  In addition, the representative is given training and serves as a totating on-call psychologist for CPA’s state-wide, toll free CLASP I & R telephone service.  For more information, contact Leslie Lessenger, PhD at lhl@lessenger.net.

 GAC REPRESENTATIVE (Government Affairs Committee):

This person is the liaison with CPA on issues regarding legislation and advocacy.  Your job is to keep the rest of the chapter informed regarding what’s going on and action that can be taken. For more information, contact Leslie Lessenger, PhD at lhl@lessenger.net.