WEBINAR ON CALIFORNIA’S HEALTH CARE WORKER MINIMUM WAGE  

California’s healthcare worker minimum wage law (SB 525) took effect on October 16, 2024.  Healthcare workers employed by certain healthcare facilities will start to see their minimum wage gradually increase.  

To help healthcare employers and workers better understand this law, we held a webinar with state regulators at the Labor Commissioner’s Office and Department of Health Care Access and Information to explain healthcare workers and facilities across the behavioral health sector will be impacted. 

Click here to watch the webinar recording, and for more information and resources on the healthcare worker minimum wage. 

DHCS REMINDS PROVIDERS THAT PATIENTS MAY NOT BE CHARGED FOR FORMS OR PROVIDING INFORMATION 

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) reminds health care providers that they may not charge patients, including Medi-Cal members, a fee for filling out forms or providing information responsive to forms that support a claim or appeal regarding eligibility for a public benefit program. Healthcare providers, however, can charge patients up to 25 cents per page for paper copies of patient records or up to 50 cents per page for records copied from microfilm, plus a reasonable clerical fee.  

The Medical Board of California published an article which provides more information on patients' access to medical records.

ATTEND BBS BOARD MEETINGS 

CAMFT encourages all members to attend BBS Board and Committee meetings to better understand upcoming changes to your licensure path, supervision requirements, workforce development, etc. Virtual attendance is also an option.  The next BBS meeting will take place on November 14 -15 in Sacramento. To see webcast info and more, Click here. 

WHAT THE CALENDAR YEAR 2025 PHYSICIAN FEE SCHEDULE FINAL RULE MEANS FOR MEDICARE PROVIDERS    

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the Calendar Year 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule on November 1, 2024. Here are the highlights:  

• Telephone-only telehealth services are permitted if the patient isn't capable of, or doesn't consent to, the use of video technology.
• Telehealth flexibilities were extended for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) through January 1, 2026.
• Congress will need to act in order to preserve flexibilities for Medicare Telehealth Services delivered outside of RHCs and FQHCs. Otherwise, the statutory limitations that were in place for Medicare telehealth services prior to the COVID-19 PHE will retake effect for most telehealth services. This means beginning in 2025, in-person visit requirements may apply for mental health services provided by telehealth. This includes an in-person visit within the 6 months before the initial telehealth treatment as well as the required subsequent in-person visits at least every 12 months.
• CMS added codes for safety planning intervention, follow-up contact after the crisis, and interprofessional consultation.
• Through CY 2025, CMS will continue to permit distant site practitioners to use their currently enrolled practice locations instead of their home addresses when providing telehealth services from their homes.

For more information on the CY 2025 PFS Final Rule visit, click here

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BBS NEWSLETTER    
The BBS Newsletter is your go-to source for the latest updates, announcements, and insights directly from the Board of Behavioral Sciences. 

Sign up for either General information updates covering topics like licensing, exams, renewals, legislation, and agenda notices, or opt for Enforcement Actions to stay informed about fines and citations. You can subscribe to one or both newsletters here. 

BECOME A RED CROSS MENTAL HEALTH VOLUNTEER 

Mental Health Professionals (MHP) who desire to serve their communities in times of disaster or crisis are urged to join their local American Red Cross Chapter. With its effective infrastructure and resources, the Red Cross is at the forefront of disaster response education and training. The Red Cross actively recruits, trains, and deploys mental health professionals to provide support services to disaster survivors and workers across the stages of preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. 

The American Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services (DCS) is client-facing throughout the entire disaster cycle of preparedness, response, and recovery. DCS response provides relief when disasters strike for those affected by residential fires, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, transportation accidents, terrorist attacks, mudslides, and other man-made and natural disasters 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (over 70,000 disasters in the US each year). All American Red Cross assistance is free. Disaster Cycle Services activities include casework, health services, mental health, logistics, sheltering, feeding, communications, governmental liaison, community partners, etc. Disaster Action Teams (DAT) are the staff and volunteers who actually respond to the event. Red Cross Disaster Mental Health (DMH) volunteers support DAT activities and may be deployed with the Team. 

Red Cross DMH volunteers often experience great collegiality and satisfaction in being able to use their mental health skills in service to the public. The Red Cross is a pioneer in emphasizing the importance of self-care and caring for its own, so DMH volunteers have a prominent role in supporting the mental health resiliency of volunteers and staff who respond to disasters. 

Red Cross DMH volunteers in California are mental health professionals including Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Associate Marriage and Family Therapists, graduate level Marriage and Family Therapist Trainees, and Retired Marriage and Family Therapists. 

While personnel in mental health disciplines who do not meet the current eligibility requirements cannot participate in Red Cross Disaster Mental Health activity, they are encouraged to serve as volunteer providers of other client-oriented Red Cross services such as client casework services and recovery, working in shelters, and mass feeding. These vital disaster services require excellent people skills and working in close collaboration with disaster health and mental health service systems. 

To become an American Red Cross volunteer: 

• Go to www.redcross.org and select “Your Local Red Cross” at the very top of the page. 
• On your chapter website select “Volunteer” to create an account in Volunteer Connection.
• Take the required free Red Cross online or in-person training.

For more educational resources on crisis response, click here.

Our Nominating Committee has chosen the slate of candidates to run for the Board of Directors. Click here to view the candidates and read their statements. 

OUR BYLAWS ARE BEING REVIEWED. TAKE THE SURVEY!

Our Bylaws Committee continues to review CAMFT’s Bylaws, ensuring our Bylaws reflect the needs of our community. As members, your input matter. Please help steer our committee’s efforts by sharing your insights on pre-licensed voting rights, agency memberships, board composition, and more. Click here to take the quick survey.  

LOOKING FOR RESEARCH TO SUPPORT YOUR WORK? 

Did you know that as a CAMFT member, you have unlimited, 24/7 access to EBSCOhost’s Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection? This database contains thousands of academic journals, book reviews, and magazines focused on behavioral sciences.  

With this powerful tool, you can search, view, and print full-text articles–not just summaries or abstracts -- keeping you informed and up-to-date on the latest trends and data in your field. 

Your CAMFT member login is required to access the EBSCOhost Publishing Databases. Get started here! ​   

WE HAVE A CLINICAL DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE BOARD POSITION VACANCY! 

We have a spot on the Board of Directors. Click here to learn more and apply.   

THREE NEW LAW & ETHICS WEBINARS NOW AVAILABLE ON OUR LEARNING LIBARARY! 

Are you in need of Law & Ethics CE credits? Good news – we have three new recordings of recent L&E webinars, now available in our On-Demand Learning Library!  

• Law and Ethics New Year, New Laws: What You Need to Know to Thrive in 2025 (3 CEs)
• Law & Ethics: You Get a Subpoena and You Get a Subpoena! (3 CEs)
• Law and Ethics: Untangling the Errors of Others (3 CEs) 

Upcoming Webinar: Why Should I Care about the CAMFT Code of Ethics? 

Join us Friday, February 21, 2025 at 9am for a three-hour workshop with Mike Griffin, JD: Why Should I Care About the CAMFT Code of Ethics? We’ll learn a broad overview of the ethical standards found in Part I of the CAMFT Code of Ethics and the procedures expressed in Part II of the Code which govern the actions taken when an ethics complaint is filed. 

The workshop will discuss examples of alleged ethical violations that are reported to the Ethics Committee and offer suggestions to therapists regarding ethical practice. 

Vignettes will be utilized, as appropriate, to illustrate examples of scenarios which often lead to complaints, and to suggest practices which may be helpful to therapists in avoiding ethical problems. 

Attendees at this workshop may earn a total of three hours of continuing education (CEU) credit, as required by the Board of Behavioral Sciences for licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed professional clinical counselors. 

Topics to be discussed 

• What is the purpose of the Code of Ethics? 
• What topics are addressed in the Code of Ethics? 
• What is the role of the CAMFT Ethics Committee? 
• What does it mean to say that something is “unethical?” 
• Who is obligated to follow the Code of Ethics? 
• What should I do if someone files an ethical complaint against me? 
• When should I consult the Code of Ethics for guidance? 
• How can therapists avoid ethical complaints? 

Learning Objectives 

Attendees at this workshop will be able to: 

• Explain what the Code of Ethics says about “Ethical Decision-Making.” 
• Utilize the Code of Ethics to locate ethical standards which concern Confidentiality; Informed Consent; Telehealth; Responsibility to the Legal System; Financial Arrangements; Advertising; Dual/Multiple Relationships, and other topics. 
• Identify one or more ethical considerations when working with clients who are involved with the legal system. 
• Identify one or more ethical considerations when a client asks you to write a letter. 
• Describe the functions of the Ethics Committee. 

SUPERVISION WORKSHOP SERIES 

We are thrilled to introduce five NEW Supervision Workshops, totaling 12 CEs! Discover them all in our On-Demand Learning Library.  

• Supervision, How to Make it a Treat and Not a Trick (2 CEs)  
• Challenges in Supervision (2 CEs)  
• Relationship-Based Supervision Through the Lens of Attachment (2.5 CEs)  
• Guidance for Supervisors (2.5 CEs)  
• Taking the Supervisory Relationship to the Next Level: Clinical Supervision in the Changing World (3 CEs)  

Don’t forget that the BBS requires supervisors to complete a minimum of six (6) hours of continuing professional development in supervision during each renewal period.  

*Reminder: Supervisors may apply their CAMFT supervisor course training hours to their overall CE requirements with one exception. A course taken on law and ethics designed specifically to meet supervisor training requirements CANNOT also be accepted toward meeting the six-hour law and ethics course required of all licensees each renewal period. A single course will not fulfill both requirements. 

JOIN A LOCAL CAMFT CHAPTER

CAMFT has 24 chapters throughout the state that offer local programs and networking opportunities for MFTs. You can find your local chapter here. Be sure to ask how they support pre-licensees!

PRE-LICENSE JOB SITES AND JOB OPENINGS

Use your membership login and password to get access to this directory that showcases job sites throughout California that pay Associate Marriage and Family Therapists and provide supervision for hours. Log in to view.

LOOKING FOR SUPERVISION?

Check out the directory of CAMFT Certified Supervisors! Our CAMFT Certified Supervisors have gone above and beyond the BBS requirements for supervision to complete the advanced training. Find a CAMFT Certified Supervisor.

EAST BAY, MARIN COUNTY, AND SANTA CLARA VALLEY CHAPTER VOLUNTEERS SHINE AT THE FALL SYMPOSIUM  

Board members and volunteers from the East Bay, Marin County, and Santa Cara Valley Chapters were hosts at the CAMFT Fall Symposium in San Jose on Friday, November 1. They greeted symposium attendees and shared pertinent local information about their Chapters, the community, and local restaurants and entertainment. Throughout the day, they also engaged symposium attendees in conversations and activities, while offering treats and giveaways. 

The Chapter hosts shared that this was a wonderful opportunity to introduce their chapters, its programs, and member benefits to the attendees. 

A huge thank you to hosts Khea Gumbs and Tanya Jacobs (East Bay Chapter), Elizabeth Clark (Marin County Chapter), and Liliana Ramos, Marté Matthews, Erin Rosenblum, Kusum Punjabi, Ursula Jorgensen, Rachel Costella, and Kassie Butterworth (Santa Clara Valley Chapter) for their time. 

CAMFT'S ATTORNEYS PRESENT AT THE SIERRA FOOTHILLS AND SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE COUNTY CHAPTERS    

CAMFT Staff attorney Luke Martin, Esq, MBA presented “How to Avoid Being Sued! - Staying Out of Legal Trouble with Client, Employees, and 3rd Party Organizations” at the beautiful Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards in Temecula. Over 70 members from the Southwest Riverside County Chapter attended the presentation on Friday, October 11, 2024, and shared how much they enjoyed and appreciated the topic and speaker. 

 On Saturday, October 12, CAMFT Staff attorney Mike Griffin, Esq, LCSW presented “Legal and Ethical issues involving Telehealth; and the Treatment of Minors” to members of the Sierra Foothills Chapter. The event at the Canyon View Community Center was the second in-person training the Chapter hosted this year. The 6- hour training included real-life examples and one of the attendees mentioned that they have participated in many telehealth courses before, but they learned the most from this one. 

GET CONNECTED

CAMFT chapters offer exciting events in yourlocal area that can enrich your practice with relevant continuing education workshops and networking opportunities click here to find your local chapter.

CAMFT MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND CHAPTERS' EVENTS
Click here for a listing of events by Chapter/Region.

WELCOME NEW CEPA PROVIDERS

• Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE)  
• Kira Torre, LMFT, Ever After Therapy  
• Mt. Diablo Unified School District 

IT'S EASY TO BECOME A CAMFT-APPROVED PROVIDER 
Have you ever thought about sharing your knowledge and skill while supplementing your income? Now is the perfect time to become a CAMFT-Approved Continuing Education Provider! APPLY TODAY! 

Apply before 12/31/24 and use the code CEPACHEER when calling in your payment to get 25% off the Initial Application Fee. Get the details.     

LET CERTIFIED SUPERVISOR CANDIDATES KNOW THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO BE A CONSULTANT

The Directory lets those interested in becoming a Certified Supervisor know who is willing to be a consultant.  

It’s easy! Simply log in and navigate to the area under Certified Supervisor Program. Click on “Willing to be a Consultant for a Certified Supervisor Applicant.” Candidates can sort the list by those who are willing, so it may increase your visibility!  

NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR THE CAMFT CERTIFIED SUPERVISOR PROGRAM! 

To better serve you and maintain the CAMFT Certified Supervisor Program’s (CSP) Creed to go “Above and Beyond,” the CSP Committee is now using a set of questions to review the topics and score the Case Summary. 

For a helpful cheat sheet to guide your Case Summary writing, CLICK HERE. 

Please remember that Consultants must review and approve the Case Summary before the Verification of Completion application goes to the Committee. 

NEW UPDATES TO THE CAMFT CERTIFIED SUPERVISOR PROGRAM!   

Certified Supervisor Logo   

The Certified Supervisor Program now has a logo! You can use this brand-new logo on your professional advertising and informational materials including business cards, letterhead, brochures, and website. To use the logo, please download this form by clicking here, sign and send it to csp@camft.org.  

Add Your Photo  

The Directory of CAMFT Certified Supervisors now comes with your picture! When Supervisees are looking for a Supervisor, we recommend they reach out to a CAMFT Certified Supervisor and direct them to this Directory. If you’d like to add your photo to your record, simply Log-In to your Dashboard, and click on the area for your photo, and upload your headshot! This is a GREAT way to personalize your listing!  

We are thrilled to introduce five NEW Supervision Workshops, totaling 12 CEs! Discover them all in our On-Demand Learning Library. 

• Supervision, How to Make it a Treat and Not a Trick (2 CEs) 

• Challenges in Supervision (2 CEs) 

• Relationship-Based Supervision Through the Lens of Attachment (2.5 CEs) 

• Guidance for Supervisors (2.5 CEs) 

• Taking the Supervisory Relationship to the Next Level: Clinical Supervision in the Changing World (3 CEs) 

Don’t forget that the BBS requires supervisors to complete a minimum of six (6) hours of continuing professional development in supervision during each renewal period. 

*Reminder: Supervisors may apply their CAMFT supervisor course training hours to their overall CE requirements with one exception. A course taken on law and ethics designed specifically to meet supervisor training requirements CANNOT also be accepted toward meeting the six-hour law and ethics course required of all licensees each renewal period. A single course will not fulfill both requirements. 

DISPLAY AD ORDERS FOR THE MARCH/APRIL 2025 EDITION EDITION OF THE THERAPIST
Place your display ad order by January 15, 2025. More Information.

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