Interprofessional Collaboration: One of the underlying tenets of President Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the provision of patient-centered holistic care, provided by interdisciplinary teams of health professionals. Psychology and nursing have a long, if not well appreciated, history of collaborative efforts. Carol Goodheart, APA 2010 President, has a nursing background; as does Linda Richardson, former President of Division 18 (Psychologists in Public Service). Beverly Malone, CEO of the National League for Nursing, and Nursing "Living Legend" Angelia McBride both possess doctoral degrees in psychology. Susan McDaniel, 2016 APA President noted: "The primary care workforce now depends on Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and nurses to provide high quality primary care."
Accordingly, when on February 4, 2019, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into public law a significant modification of their landmark 2002 Prescriptive Authority legislation, we were very pleased that our ground-breaking colleagues involved professional nursing. The new provisions authorized New Mexico psychiatric nurse practitioners (as well as clinical nurse specialists and other nurse practitioner specialties) to serve as supervisors and collaborative partners during the required practicum supervision and conditional authority process.
"New Mexico's psychologists, and particularly prescribing psychologists, have always maintained a highly respectful and productive relationship with our nursing colleagues. Our close working relationship with nurses has greatly enhanced quality care to many underserved populations in the state. Academic nurses from New Mexico State University (NMSU) were instrumental in developing the pathophysiology and physical assessment modules of the University's post-doctoral master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology. They testified for psychologists on behalf of our RxP bill and have taught in the NMSU post-doctoral program, as well as providing some ongoing continuing education training for our prescribing psychologists. We are pleased to be expanding our collaborative efforts. Nurse practitioners provide a preponderance of care in underserved communities in New Mexico. With our appended law, which will allow nurses to supervise our RxP students in training, we will be able to extend access and quality care across New Mexico" (Renee Wilkins and Elaine Levine). Following New Mexico's lead, psychology prescribing bills in the Hawaii and Florida legislature this year will also formally recognize nursing's clinical expertise.
Advancing the RxP Movement: Hawaii's Judi Steinman, Division 55 President: "We have included Nurse Practitioners and Prescribing Psychologists as practicum supervisors in our Hawaii RxP bills, recognizing the skills and expertise of these specialties as educators as well as practicum preceptors. Some of our islands do not even have physicians, let alone psychiatrists, willing to serve as supervisors. The University of Hawaii at Hilo and now Alliant International University MSCP programs include APRNs-Rx's as faculty members." Steve and Anthony Ragusea: "Florida prescribing psychologists would welcome nurse practitioner supervision as one of several options and we hope that the Florida legislature will permit us to follow New Mexico's visionary lead in this regard."
The Duke Blue Devils: Two of the former faculty members of the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing at the Uniformed Services University (USU), U. S. Navy Commanders (ret.) Sean Convoy and Pam Wall have been developing the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program at Duke University, emphasizing on-line education. Both Sean and Pam served in the Navy for over two decades. Sean: "We are hoping this effort reflects a new entrepreneurial spirit defined by genuine inter-professional collaboration that places patient access and outcomes above provider pedigree and earning potential. Supported by the Institute of Medicine's Future of Nursing report, the Federal Trade Commission's report on Competition and the Regulation of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), and the seven states and territories that have passed legislation supporting prescriptive authority for clinical psychologists, we are constructing a strong foundation for a long overdue paradigm change. APRNs providing prescriptive supervision to clinical psychologists represents scaffolding for this new paradigm. We would like to see a more balanced approach where APRNs collaborate with clinical psychologists to translate their psychotropic prescribing knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) and our clinical psychologist brethren translate their advanced psychotherapeutic KSA back to APRNs. In a new paradigm such as this, all members of the mental health care delivery system would be vital and valued members of an ensemble cast where the diversity of our education and experience are seen as strengths and not wedge issues.
"At Duke University's School of Nursing we are currently partnering with all willing stakeholders to grow our psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program. We partner with our physician and clinical psychology colleagues for preceptorship support, standardized patient simulation and most recently a local DukeAhead grant entitled 'Training and Education to Advance Multicultural Mental Healthcare Delivery (TEAM Mental Healthcare Delivery)'. Much like the larger political discourse we currently live in, the public has grown weary of political infighting. Now is the time for members of the mental health care delivery system to genuinely collaborate, strike grand bargains and reestablish that shared mental health vision which recognizes the patient as the chief outcome of a shared interest." In appreciation for their collaboration, Susan McDaniel served on the Duke University School of Nursing Board of Advisors for six years.
Telehealth – The Wave of the Future: "As the Program Manager for the Military Health System Virtual Health Program, I can appreciate the importance of psychology and nursing developing an increasing presence in telehealth. The National Defense Authorization Acts of 2017 and 2019 gave us a path to work together as a team of healthcare providers supporting Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen to achieve a high level of Readiness while maintaining the health of Military Beneficiaries. For this reason, the legislation centralized the delivery of healthcare within the Military Treatment Facilities around the world that support military health beneficiaries with the intent of making the Quadruple AIM goals (i.e., improving the health of populations, enhancing the experience of receiving care, reducing the per capita cost; and, for the military, enhancing Readiness) a reality. Virtual health, as a modality to deliver healthcare, provides our beneficiaries medical care through mobile technologies, anytime and anywhere, while enhancing the availability of specialty services.
"Three main capabilities are being pursued within the Military Health System which includes Synchronous, Asynchronous and Remote Health Monitoring care. Synchronous capabilities allow beneficiaries to perform live interactions with members of the healthcare team. Asynchronous capabilities provide a direct provider to provider teleconsultation portal that enhances the ability of primary care providers to get near immediate access to specialists in any environment, including areas that have limited or sporadic bandwidth. Finally, remote health monitoring allows for the direct visualization of healthcare status of chronically ill patients, allowing us to inject a dose of healthcare within the patient's home environment. Virtual health technology will allow us to improve the 'lethality' of the Military Health System (from a healthcare perspective) by enabling methods to improve Readiness while enhancing the availability of Military Medical Services around the world, while reducing costs, enhancing access and improving quality" (U. S. Army Col. Francisco Dominicci).
A Recurring Question: Are psychology's graduate training programs preparing the next generation of clinicians to practice successfully within the health care environment of the future? To date, I have not been able to identify any psychology graduate program that provides its students with telehealth training experiences. In contrast, at USU Jeff Goodie actively collaborates with the Family Medicine department and Nursing programs to have graduate psychology students engage with their medical and nursing colleagues. "We have our advanced clinical psychology students observe Family Medicine clerkship students during an interview with standardized patients and then give structured feedback to those medical students about their communication skills. Psychology students also practice providing behavioral health interventions alongside Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner students during a three day deployment exercise."
APA recognizes the importance of promoting interprofessional training. As APA President Susan, with support from APA staff Catherine Grus, appointed Jeff and Ron Rozensky co-chairs of a work group that created an Interprofessional Seminar on Integrated Primary Care [https://www.apa.org/education/grad/curriculum-seminar] that is a resource for helping healthcare professionals develop competencies for working together. The seminar includes modules that can be adapted as needed to cover a range of topics including elements of interprofessional care, ethics, models of leadership, and health policy and advocacy. "Don't know when I'll be back again" (John Denver). Aloha,
Pat DeLeon, former APA President – Hawaii Psychological Association – March, 2019
Monday, March 11, 2019
Sunday, March 10, 2019
ALOHA -- HPA column
“LEAVING ON A JET PLANE”
Interprofessional Collaboration: One of the underlying tenets of President Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the provision of patient-centered holistic care, provided by interdisciplinary teams of health professionals. Psychology and nursing have a long, if not well appreciated, history of collaborative efforts. Carol Goodheart, APA 2010 President, has a nursing background; as does Linda Richardson, former President of Division 18 (Psychologists in Public Service). Beverly Malone, CEO of the National League for Nursing, and Nursing “Living Legend” Angelia McBride both possess doctoral degrees in psychology. Susan McDaniel, 2016 APA President noted: “The primary care workforce now depends on Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and nurses to provide high quality primary care.”
Accordingly, when on February 4, 2019, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into public law a significant modification of their landmark 2002 Prescriptive Authority legislation, we were very pleased that our ground-breaking colleagues involved professional nursing. The new provisions authorized New Mexico psychiatric nurse practitioners (as well as clinical nurse specialists and other nurse practitioner specialties) to serve as supervisors and collaborative partners during the required practicum supervision and conditional authority process.
“New Mexico’s psychologists, and particularly prescribing psychologists, have always maintained a highly respectful and productive relationship with our nursing colleagues. Our close working relationship with nurses has greatly enhanced quality care to many underserved populations in the state. Academic nurses from New Mexico State University (NMSU) were instrumental in developing the pathophysiology and physical assessment modules of the University’s post-doctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology. They testified for psychologists on behalf of our RxP bill and have taught in the NMSU post-doctoral program, as well as providing some ongoing continuing education training for our prescribing psychologists. We are pleased to be expanding our collaborative efforts. Nurse practitioners provide a preponderance of care in underserved communities in New Mexico. With our appended law, which will allow nurses to supervise our RxP students in training, we will be able to extend access and quality care across New Mexico” (Renee Wilkins and Elaine Levine). Following New Mexico’s lead, psychology prescribing bills in the Hawaii and Florida legislature this year will also formally recognize nursing’s clinical expertise.
Advancing the RxP Movement: Hawaii’s Judi Steinman, Division 55 President: “We have included Nurse Practitioners and Prescribing Psychologists as practicum supervisors in our Hawaii RxP bills, recognizing the skills and expertise of these specialties as educators as well as practicum preceptors. Some of our islands do not even have physicians, let alone psychiatrists, willing to serve as supervisors. The University of Hawaii at Hilo and now Alliant International University MSCP programs include APRNs-Rx’s as faculty members.” Steve and Anthony Ragusea: “Florida prescribing psychologists would welcome nurse practitioner supervision as one of several options and we hope that the Florida legislature will permit us to follow New Mexico’s visionary lead in this regard.”
The Duke Blue Devils: Two of the former faculty members of the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing at the Uniformed Services University (USU), U. S. Navy Commanders (ret.) Sean Convoy and Pam Wall have been developing the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program at Duke University, emphasizing on-line education. Both Sean and Pam served in the Navy for over two decades. Sean: “We are hoping this effort reflects a new entrepreneurial spirit defined by genuine inter-professional collaboration that places patient access and outcomes above provider pedigree and earning potential. Supported by the Institute of Medicine’s Future of Nursing report, the Federal Trade Commission’s report on Competition and the Regulation of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), and the seven states and territories that have passed legislation supporting prescriptive authority for clinical psychologists, we are constructing a strong foundation for a long overdue paradigm change. APRNs providing prescriptive supervision to clinical psychologists represents scaffolding for this new paradigm. We would like to see a more balanced approach where APRNs collaborate with clinical psychologists to translate their psychotropic prescribing knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) and our clinical psychologist brethren translate their advanced psychotherapeutic KSA back to APRNs. In a new paradigm such as this, all members of the mental health care delivery system would be vital and valued members of an ensemble cast where the diversity of our education and experience are seen as strengths and not wedge issues.
“At Duke University’s School of Nursing we are currently partnering with all willing stakeholders to grow our psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program. We partner with our physician and clinical psychology colleagues for preceptorship support, standardized patient simulation and most recently a local DukeAhead grant entitled ‘Training and Education to Advance Multicultural Mental Healthcare Delivery (TEAM Mental Healthcare Delivery)’. Much like the larger political discourse we currently live in, the public has grown weary of political infighting. Now is the time for members of the mental health care delivery system to genuinely collaborate, strike grand bargains and reestablish that shared mental health vision which recognizes the patient as the chief outcome of a shared interest.” In appreciation for their collaboration, Susan McDaniel served on the Duke University School of Nursing Board of Advisors for six years.
Telehealth – The Wave of the Future: “As the Program Manager for the Military Health System Virtual Health Program, I can appreciate the importance of psychology and nursing developing an increasing presence in telehealth. The National Defense Authorization Acts of 2017 and 2019 gave us a path to work together as a team of healthcare providers supporting Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen to achieve a high level of Readiness while maintaining the health of Military Beneficiaries. For this reason, the legislation centralized the delivery of healthcare within the Military Treatment Facilities around the world that support military health beneficiaries with the intent of making the Quadruple AIM goals (i.e., improving the health of populations, enhancing the experience of receiving care, reducing the per capita cost; and, for the military, enhancing Readiness) a reality. Virtual health, as a modality to deliver healthcare, provides our beneficiaries medical care through mobile technologies, anytime and anywhere, while enhancing the availability of specialty services.
“Three main capabilities are being pursued within the Military Health System which includes Synchronous, Asynchronous and Remote Health Monitoring care. Synchronous capabilities allow beneficiaries to perform live interactions with members of the healthcare team. Asynchronous capabilities provide a direct provider to provider teleconsultation portal that enhances the ability of primary care providers to get near immediate access to specialists in any environment, including areas that have limited or sporadic bandwidth. Finally, remote health monitoring allows for the direct visualization of healthcare status of chronically ill patients, allowing us to inject a dose of healthcare within the patient’s home environment. Virtual health technology will allow us to improve the ‘lethality’ of the Military Health System (from a healthcare perspective) by enabling methods to improve Readiness while enhancing the availability of Military Medical Services around the world, while reducing costs, enhancing access and improving quality” (U. S. Army Col. Francisco Dominicci).
A Recurring Question: Are psychology’s graduate training programs preparing the next generation of clinicians to practice successfully within the health care environment of the future? To date, I have not been able to identify any psychology graduate program that provides its students with telehealth training experiences. In contrast, at USU Jeff Goodie actively collaborates with the Family Medicine department and Nursing programs to have graduate psychology students engage with their medical and nursing colleagues. “We have our advanced clinical psychology students observe Family Medicine clerkship students during an interview with standardized patients and then give structured feedback to those medical students about their communication skills. Psychology students also practice providing behavioral health interventions alongside Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner students during a three day deployment exercise.”
APA recognizes the importance of promoting interprofessional training. As APA President Susan, with support from APA staff Catherine Grus, appointed Jeff and Ron Rozensky co-chairs of a work group that created an Interprofessional Seminar on Integrated Primary Care [https://www.apa.org/education/grad/curriculum-seminar] that is a resource for helping healthcare professionals develop competencies for working together. The seminar includes modules that can be adapted as needed to cover a range of topics including elements of interprofessional care, ethics, models of leadership, and health policy and advocacy. “Don’t know when I’ll be back again” (John Denver). Aloha,
Pat DeLeon, former APA President – Hawaii Psychological Association – March, 2019
Monday, March 4, 2019
IF IT WASN’T FOR THE LIGHTHOUSE
With substantive change comes exciting opportunities and admittedly challenges. Tony Puente has just completed his term on the Board of Directors, having served as APA's 125th President in 2017. "The beginning of a new era for APA started this year with the development of a new focus on advocacy. APA has over the last 126 years been devoted to PSYCHOLOGY. More recently, the focus on PSYCHOLOGISTS emerged from the increasing and critical need to make advocacy core to APA. The practice community, with the advent of the APA Practice Organization under the direction of Bryant Welch, had started the focus in the late 1980s. Issues such as scope of practice, physician definition, and reimbursement were attended by a devoted and outstanding staff and the effort was guided by the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice of Psychology (CAPP). The APA Psychological Services, Inc. took over this function but, in addition, integrated all four silos at APA – Education, Practice, Public Interest, and Science, as well as developed a sustainable revenue stream (60% of membership dues). This new entity is being directed by the newly hired Katherine McGuire who has an extensive and respected advocacy history in working both in Congress and the private sector.
"The APA leadership group guiding this effort is made up of 14 highly qualified members of APA representing all of the association and being led by co-chairs Jennifer Kelly, long time APA Secretary, and myself. This group, known as the Advocacy Coordinating Committee, is the outgrowth of two prior working groups one each in 2017 and 2018. At the present time the group is establishing its working infrastructure; as well as starting to gather data about advocacy needs. A very brief survey to all members and a sample of non-members of APA will be going out early in February. The goal is to gather significant amounts of information in order to develop strategic advocacy plans for the association. This exciting new venture will also increase and consolidate a wide variety of member benefits. Again, the focus of APA Services, Inc. is to better serve the needs of ALL psychologists and for APA to have ONE VOICE representing all of our members in the world of advocacy." Jennifer: "It has been a rewarding and enriching experience to be part of this inaugural group. All the members of the committee have had extensive experience in advocacy, but it has usually been within each respective area. To be able to approach advocacy from an integrated approach and eliminating the silos will serve to make the association and the profession stronger."
Making A Difference: Many of us decided upon a career in psychology because we felt that we could make a real difference in the lives of our fellow citizens, on the individual or systems/societal level. Accordingly, we were particularly pleased with the APA Citizen Psychologist initiative of last year's President Jessica Henderson Daniel, highlighting the many contributions of the often unheralded "best of psychology." Jessica -- APA Citizen Psychologists are defined as individuals who serve as leaders in their various communities. Through prolonged engagement in significant activities, they contribute to improving the lives of all. This can include public service, volunteerism, board membership and other strategic roles often not directly associated with the day-to-day work of psychologists in our careers. APA Citizen Psychologists come from all branches of the field of psychology. They bring psychological science and expertise to bear on existing challenges to improve community well-being locally, nationally, or globally.
Over the years, we have been similarly impressed by the dedication and vision of Barbara Van Dahlen, Founder and President of Give an Hour, and the impact of her organization. Barbara has been formally recognized by APA Presidents Don Bersoff and Melba Vasquez. "In response to the November Borderline mass shooting in Thousand Oaks California, Give an Hour California is proud to be partnering with the Ventura County Community Foundation to support the administration of Conejo Valley Victim's Fund. In addition to assisting those who were present, injured, or lost a loved one in the attack, Give an Hour is also offering pro bono mental health support through our Provider Network, and case management services. We are working with community leaders to build and implement a comprehensive long-term plan to support not only those affected by the Borderline mass shooting, but the entire community as they move from recovery to resilience after the shooting and fires that consumed the area immediately following the shooting.
"We have also opened our network of volunteer mental health professionals to support the more than 12,000 immigrant and refugee children – and their families – who are being affected by the humanitarian crisis at the U.S. Southern border. We are honored to offer critical expertise and support to address the acute and long-term mental health consequences for children and families separated from each other upon entry to the United States. Many of these families were fleeing violence in their countries of origin. Many have already experienced considerable trauma.
"Working to assist government agencies and non-profit organizations responding to this critical need, Give an Hour is collaborating with major mental health associations in this unprecedented effort including the APA, the California Psychological Association, and CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists). We are honored to be working with these fine organizations and are inviting ALL licensed mental health professionals to join us to support families affected by this trauma and others that affect our citizens [www.giveanhour.org]."
Prescriptive Authority: For a number of us involved in the prescription privilege (RxP) agenda, the underlying issue has always been access to the highest possible quality of care. Ever since U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye addressed their membership in November, 1984, Hawaii Psychological Association (HPA) has been actively pursuing this legislative agenda, once having gotten as far as the Governor who ultimately vetoed their bill. The essence of their legislative approach has been to actively engage those in the community who would directly benefit. Once again this year, Mental Health America of Hawaii made access to prescriptive authority for advanced trained clinical psychologists a high priority.
Judi Steinman: "Hawai'i legislators introduced three separate bills proposing prescriptive authority for specially trained psychologists. Legislators from every island across the state served as co-introducers of these bills, a first for us in our efforts to address the tsunami of suffering in our underserved communities. Another first is that House and Senate leadership are amongst those who introduced these bills; with the House Vice Speaker, Majority Leader, Majority Floor Leader, and Majority Whips. A new Senator and Majority Caucus Leader and Majority Floor Leader – both from Hawai'i Island – introduced legislation; while the Senate Vice President is warmly supportive. Our champions in both the House and Senate include the Chairs of the respective Health Committees." Meaningful change always takes time and persistence. "Where would this ship be?" [The Oak Ridge Boys]. Aloha,
Pat DeLeon, former APA President – Division One – February, 2019
Sent from my iPhone
"The APA leadership group guiding this effort is made up of 14 highly qualified members of APA representing all of the association and being led by co-chairs Jennifer Kelly, long time APA Secretary, and myself. This group, known as the Advocacy Coordinating Committee, is the outgrowth of two prior working groups one each in 2017 and 2018. At the present time the group is establishing its working infrastructure; as well as starting to gather data about advocacy needs. A very brief survey to all members and a sample of non-members of APA will be going out early in February. The goal is to gather significant amounts of information in order to develop strategic advocacy plans for the association. This exciting new venture will also increase and consolidate a wide variety of member benefits. Again, the focus of APA Services, Inc. is to better serve the needs of ALL psychologists and for APA to have ONE VOICE representing all of our members in the world of advocacy." Jennifer: "It has been a rewarding and enriching experience to be part of this inaugural group. All the members of the committee have had extensive experience in advocacy, but it has usually been within each respective area. To be able to approach advocacy from an integrated approach and eliminating the silos will serve to make the association and the profession stronger."
Making A Difference: Many of us decided upon a career in psychology because we felt that we could make a real difference in the lives of our fellow citizens, on the individual or systems/societal level. Accordingly, we were particularly pleased with the APA Citizen Psychologist initiative of last year's President Jessica Henderson Daniel, highlighting the many contributions of the often unheralded "best of psychology." Jessica -- APA Citizen Psychologists are defined as individuals who serve as leaders in their various communities. Through prolonged engagement in significant activities, they contribute to improving the lives of all. This can include public service, volunteerism, board membership and other strategic roles often not directly associated with the day-to-day work of psychologists in our careers. APA Citizen Psychologists come from all branches of the field of psychology. They bring psychological science and expertise to bear on existing challenges to improve community well-being locally, nationally, or globally.
Over the years, we have been similarly impressed by the dedication and vision of Barbara Van Dahlen, Founder and President of Give an Hour, and the impact of her organization. Barbara has been formally recognized by APA Presidents Don Bersoff and Melba Vasquez. "In response to the November Borderline mass shooting in Thousand Oaks California, Give an Hour California is proud to be partnering with the Ventura County Community Foundation to support the administration of Conejo Valley Victim's Fund. In addition to assisting those who were present, injured, or lost a loved one in the attack, Give an Hour is also offering pro bono mental health support through our Provider Network, and case management services. We are working with community leaders to build and implement a comprehensive long-term plan to support not only those affected by the Borderline mass shooting, but the entire community as they move from recovery to resilience after the shooting and fires that consumed the area immediately following the shooting.
"We have also opened our network of volunteer mental health professionals to support the more than 12,000 immigrant and refugee children – and their families – who are being affected by the humanitarian crisis at the U.S. Southern border. We are honored to offer critical expertise and support to address the acute and long-term mental health consequences for children and families separated from each other upon entry to the United States. Many of these families were fleeing violence in their countries of origin. Many have already experienced considerable trauma.
"Working to assist government agencies and non-profit organizations responding to this critical need, Give an Hour is collaborating with major mental health associations in this unprecedented effort including the APA, the California Psychological Association, and CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists). We are honored to be working with these fine organizations and are inviting ALL licensed mental health professionals to join us to support families affected by this trauma and others that affect our citizens [www.giveanhour.org]."
Prescriptive Authority: For a number of us involved in the prescription privilege (RxP) agenda, the underlying issue has always been access to the highest possible quality of care. Ever since U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye addressed their membership in November, 1984, Hawaii Psychological Association (HPA) has been actively pursuing this legislative agenda, once having gotten as far as the Governor who ultimately vetoed their bill. The essence of their legislative approach has been to actively engage those in the community who would directly benefit. Once again this year, Mental Health America of Hawaii made access to prescriptive authority for advanced trained clinical psychologists a high priority.
Judi Steinman: "Hawai'i legislators introduced three separate bills proposing prescriptive authority for specially trained psychologists. Legislators from every island across the state served as co-introducers of these bills, a first for us in our efforts to address the tsunami of suffering in our underserved communities. Another first is that House and Senate leadership are amongst those who introduced these bills; with the House Vice Speaker, Majority Leader, Majority Floor Leader, and Majority Whips. A new Senator and Majority Caucus Leader and Majority Floor Leader – both from Hawai'i Island – introduced legislation; while the Senate Vice President is warmly supportive. Our champions in both the House and Senate include the Chairs of the respective Health Committees." Meaningful change always takes time and persistence. "Where would this ship be?" [The Oak Ridge Boys]. Aloha,
Pat DeLeon, former APA President – Division One – February, 2019
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, March 3, 2019
ALOHA - Division One column
“IF IT WASN’T FOR THE LIGHTHOUSE”
With substantive change comes exciting opportunities and admittedly challenges. Tony Puente has just completed his term on the Board of Directors, having served as APA’s 125th President in 2017. “The beginning of a new era for APA started this year with the development of a new focus on advocacy. APA has over the last 126 years been devoted to PSYCHOLOGY. More recently, the focus on PSYCHOLOGISTS emerged from the increasing and critical need to make advocacy core to APA. The practice community, with the advent of the APA Practice Organization under the direction of Bryant Welch, had started the focus in the late 1980s. Issues such as scope of practice, physician definition, and reimbursement were attended by a devoted and outstanding staff and the effort was guided by the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice of Psychology (CAPP). The APA Psychological Services, Inc. took over this function but, in addition, integrated all four silos at APA – Education, Practice, Public Interest, and Science, as well as developed a sustainable revenue stream (60% of membership dues). This new entity is being directed by the newly hired Katherine McGuire who has an extensive and respected advocacy history in working both in Congress and the private sector.
“The APA leadership group guiding this effort is made up of 14 highly qualified members of APA representing all of the association and being led by co-chairs Jennifer Kelly, long time APA Secretary, and myself. This group, known as the Advocacy Coordinating Committee, is the outgrowth of two prior working groups one each in 2017 and 2018. At the present time the group is establishing its working infrastructure; as well as starting to gather data about advocacy needs. A very brief survey to all members and a sample of non-members of APA will be going out early in February. The goal is to gather significant amounts of information in order to develop strategic advocacy plans for the association. This exciting new venture will also increase and consolidate a wide variety of member benefits. Again, the focus of APA Services, Inc. is to better serve the needs of ALL psychologists and for APA to have ONE VOICE representing all of our members in the world of advocacy.” Jennifer: “It has been a rewarding and enriching experience to be part of this inaugural group. All the members of the committee have had extensive experience in advocacy, but it has usually been within each respective area. To be able to approach advocacy from an integrated approach and eliminating the silos will serve to make the association and the profession stronger.”
Making A Difference: Many of us decided upon a career in psychology because we felt that we could make a real difference in the lives of our fellow citizens, on the individual or systems/societal level. Accordingly, we were particularly pleased with the APA Citizen Psychologist initiative of last year’s President Jessica Henderson Daniel, highlighting the many contributions of the often unheralded “best of psychology.” Jessica -- APA Citizen Psychologists are defined as individuals who serve as leaders in their various communities. Through prolonged engagement in significant activities, they contribute to improving the lives of all. This can include public service, volunteerism, board membership and other strategic roles often not directly associated with the day-to-day work of psychologists in our careers. APA Citizen Psychologists come from all branches of the field of psychology. They bring psychological science and expertise to bear on existing challenges to improve community well-being locally, nationally, or globally.
Over the years, we have been similarly impressed by the dedication and vision of Barbara Van Dahlen, Founder and President of Give an Hour, and the impact of her organization. Barbara has been formally recognized by APA Presidents Don Bersoff and Melba Vasquez. “In response to the November Borderline mass shooting in Thousand Oaks California, Give an Hour California is proud to be partnering with the Ventura County Community Foundation to support the administration of Conejo Valley Victim’s Fund. In addition to assisting those who were present, injured, or lost a loved one in the attack, Give an Hour is also offering pro bono mental health support through our Provider Network, and case management services. We are working with community leaders to build and implement a comprehensive long-term plan to support not only those affected by the Borderline mass shooting, but the entire community as they move from recovery to resilience after the shooting and fires that consumed the area immediately following the shooting.
“We have also opened our network of volunteer mental health professionals to support the more than 12,000 immigrant and refugee children – and their families – who are being affected by the humanitarian crisis at the U.S. Southern border. We are honored to offer critical expertise and support to address the acute and long-term mental health consequences for children and families separated from each other upon entry to the United States. Many of these families were fleeing violence in their countries of origin. Many have already experienced considerable trauma.
“Working to assist government agencies and non-profit organizations responding to this critical need, Give an Hour is collaborating with major mental health associations in this unprecedented effort including the APA, the California Psychological Association, and CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists). We are honored to be working with these fine organizations and are inviting ALL licensed mental health professionals to join us to support families affected by this trauma and others that affect our citizens [www.giveanhour.org].”
Prescriptive Authority: For a number of us involved in the prescription privilege (RxP) agenda, the underlying issue has always been access to the highest possible quality of care. Ever since U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye addressed their membership in November, 1984, Hawaii Psychological Association (HPA) has been actively pursuing this legislative agenda, once having gotten as far as the Governor who ultimately vetoed their bill. The essence of their legislative approach has been to actively engage those in the community who would directly benefit. Once again this year, Mental Health America of Hawaii made access to prescriptive authority for advanced trained clinical psychologists a high priority.
Judi Steinman: “Hawai’i legislators introduced three separate bills proposing prescriptive authority for specially trained psychologists. Legislators from every island across the state served as co-introducers of these bills, a first for us in our efforts to address the tsunami of suffering in our underserved communities. Another first is that House and Senate leadership are amongst those who introduced these bills; with the House Vice Speaker, Majority Leader, Majority Floor Leader, and Majority Whips. A new Senator and Majority Caucus Leader and Majority Floor Leader – both from Hawai’i Island – introduced legislation; while the Senate Vice President is warmly supportive. Our champions in both the House and Senate include the Chairs of the respective Health Committees.” Meaningful change always takes time and persistence. “Where would this ship be?” [The Oak Ridge Boys]. Aloha,
Pat DeLeon, former APA President – Division One – February, 2019
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