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Email : infocenter@camft.org
Phone : (858) 292-2638
Dear Members,
Summer is here, and we’re working on a few exciting initiatives during these warmer months. CAMFT continues our work to support your advancement at various points in your career.
For students, I’d like to highlight that the applications for scholarships are now open! We offer five scholarships of $4,000 each and one grant of $2,500 to support exceptional students dedicated to the field of marriage and family therapy. Learn more about our scholarships and how to apply here. Applications are open until November 8.
For supervisors, CAMFT just released five new supervision workshops to our On-Demand Learning Library! Our CAMFT Certified Supervisor program is also still going strong. Here are the five new workshops that are already becoming very popular offerings:
For licensed members interested in license portability to practice outside of California, we continue our efforts, alongside various stakeholders, to remove barriers on this important issue. We recently shared news that the BBS approved moving forward in exploring acceptance of the national exam for licensure in California. This is an important first step in a potential transition to the national exam. If you missed the announcement, be sure to check out both the License Portability FAQ and the MFT National Exam FAQ to learn more about where we are at this stage.
For members who work in the Veteran’s Administration, Representative Julia Brownley introduced HR 8165, that will remove the arbitrary COAMFTE requirement for supervisory roles within the Veteran’s Administration. You can help us get this legislation passed! Click here and ask your legislator to act today! And if advocacy is important to you, please also help us plan our state advocacy day by completing the Advocacy Day Survey as we plan for the 2025 event.
For those standout members, CAMFT’s Scholarship Committee is accepting nominations for CAMFT’s Honors and Awards program. Each year, we’re thrilled to recognize the fantastic accomplishments of our members and others in the profession. Nominate a deserving colleague, school, or agency for their extraordinary accomplishments, or nominate yourself, today!
For all of our members, we want to hear from you! We are preparing to create CAMFT’s next iteration of our strategic plan. This work is not done in a vacuum. CAMFT’s Board needs to hear from you, our members, to help ensure they set the right course. Please look out for two surveys in the coming weeks. The first is CAMFT’s Demographic Survey, which helps inform the Board about who our members are. The second survey is the Strategic Planning Survey, which helps inform the Board about our members’ needs. These surveys provide critical inputs for the Board as they identify the organization’s priorities for the coming years. We have a collaborative strategic planning process. Members can expect to see a draft of the plan this fall and feedback is welcome.
In the meantime, we continue to make great strides in achieving key metrics for our 2023-2024 plan. I look forward to continuing to share those results with members during the next State of the Profession and CAMFT’s eNewsletter.
I’m wishing you all a refreshing and enjoyable summer.
With care, Joy Alafia, MBA, CAE Executive Director
IN THIS NEWSLETTER YOU WILL FIND:
NEW MFT PROVIDERS FOR MEDI-CAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released BHIN 24-023, updating their policy to broaden the behavioral health workforce capable of delivering mental health and substance use disorder services across all settings and delivery systems.
Medi-Cal behavioral health delivery systems can now engage MFT trainees and MFT postgraduate candidates who have applied for associate registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) within 90 days of their degree award date. These individuals are eligible to provide designated Medi-Cal behavioral health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
Effective July 1, 2024, new rates will be implemented for Specialty Mental Health and Drug Medi-Cal Services provided to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. While the rate sheets do not specifically identify rates for clinical trainees, services provided by clinical trainees are paid at the same rate as those provided by licensed providers. The new rates are published on the DHCS website and supersede all previously established and posted rates.
HEALTH CARE MINIMUM WAGE LAW IMPLEMENTATION DELAYED
Governor Newsom and legislative leaders have reached an agreement on the Budget Act of 2024, which includes implementing a minimum wage increase for healthcare workers. However, this agreement introduces two new mandates that must be met before the wage increase can take effect. These provisions were added to balance the state’s budget and ensure that implementation occurs when the state is financially prepared. As a result, the minimum wage increase will be delayed, taking effect as early as October but no later than January 1, 2025.
The initiation of the law's implementation hinges on the state's revenue from July to September.
At CAMFT, we are committed to keeping members informed about the law's status and providing resources as soon as they become available. If you have questions about how this law may impact you or your business, seek legal consultation with an employment/labor law attorney.
Providers who opted out of Medicare in error and are now facing consequences with employers or entities whom they are contracted with should be aware of the opportunity to submit provider enrollment reconsideration requests.
Once a provider submits an opt-out affidavit, the provider has 90 days from the date of the initial opt out request to change their mind and enroll in Medicare. CMS’s Regional Office recently notified us that those who mistakenly opted out can submit a reconsideration request.
A reconsideration request is an opportunity for a provider to furnish evidence that demonstrates that there was an error made at the time of the initial determination affecting participation in the Medicare Program. Noridian Health Care Solutions’ reconsideration request forms can be found here.
Reconsideration request forms must be submitted within 65 days of the initial determination date to be considered. CMS has up to 90 days to issue a decision.
We are thrilled to start the planning process for our next Annual CAMFT Advocacy Day in Sacramento! Building on the success of this year's Advocacy Event in March, where we engaged with numerous legislators to champion vital mental health initiatives, we are eager to make the upcoming event even more impactful.
Your input is invaluable in shaping this experience, ensuring it aligns with your priorities and enhances our advocacy efforts. To help achieve this, we've designed a brief Advocacy Day Survey. Your feedback will shape the event's framework, so please share your thoughts with us!
We at CAMFT encourage all members to attend BBS Board and Committee meetings, either in person or virtually, to better understand upcoming changes to your licensure path, supervision requirements, workforce development, etc. Click here to see upcoming meetings in 2024.
In May 2024, the BBS voted to move towards accepting the national clinical exam for licensure in California. This is a significant first step forward for California-licensed MFTs to have better license portability and fewer hurdles to obtain federal employment.
There will be many additional steps before any transition to the national exam is adopted or implemented. Rest assured, we are committed to providing you with information and support at every step along the way. Please visit the License Portability FAQ and the MFT National Exam FAQ pages to learn more about what these changes mean. We’ll be updating these pages regularly, so be sure to bookmark them!
Rep. Julia Brownley has introduced HR 8165, a bill to increase the number of qualified Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The VA Marriage and Family Therapist Equity Act in HR 8165 aims to remove barriers for California MFTs working in the VA system by broadening accreditation requirements and providing clearer career paths.
Please urge your elected officials to co-sponsor this crucial legislation. You may act now by filling out our call to action form to support this bill's progress through Congress.
BECOME THE NEXT MEMBER OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Have you ever wanted to serve on CAMFT's Board of Directors?
Due to an unexpected vacancy, CAMFT is looking for volunteers to apply to serve as Clinical Director-at-Large for the 2024-2025 term. The appointed candidate will serve until May 31, 2025. The deadline to apply is July 8, 2024! Apply Now.
READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE THERAPIST
Stay informed with a few clicks! Members can access the a full archive of Therapist magazine right here. From clinical articles to advocacy updates, online access makes it easy for members to stay in the know.
PAC OPT-OUT
We are excited to share with you that as of May 31st, CAMFT instituted our new PAC initiative. To align with similar associations procedures in California, this consists of automatically including a voluntary $4.00 state PAC donation to your annual membership when paying your dues. As we value transparency and respect your individual preferences regarding where your finances are allocated, you can opt out of this PAC donation when paying your dues. You can also choose a higher donation amount if you want to further support the federal and/or state CAMFT PAC (the average donation is about $25). Your involvement is critical to the success of our association’s advocacy efforts, and any donations you may make will be greatly appreciated for our advocacy program’s success. To learn more about the CAMFT PAC and to see our FAQ please click here. If you haven’t donated before and would like to, please click here.
JOB BOARD
Visit CAMFT's Members Only Job Board. Here you can find full-time job listings, and both paid and unpaid internships. Get started with your search today!
CAMFT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VISITS OUR CHAPTERS
CAMFT’s Executive Director, Joy Alafia, met with the Santa Barbara Chapter board virtually in March and in-person with the Sierra Foothills Chapter board in May this year.
She also presented the 90-minute State of the Profession presentation in-person to the Los Angeles and Orange County Chapters in January and February. Attendees responded that the course was informative, well presented, and engaging, and they were glad that additional online resources were provided.
The State of the Profession presentations are designed for Mental Health Professionals and discusses general CAMFT issues and priorities, Medicare, the BBS, license portability, California legislative updates, and why it is important for members to avail themselves of the Legal Consultation service CAMFT provides. There is ample time for Q&A, and attendees are eligible to receive 1 continuing education credit.
Upcoming State of the Profession presentations (1 CE):
In-person: Sacramento Valley Chapter on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 10:00 am – 11:30 am. Click here to register.
Webinar: Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 11:00 am – 12:30 pm. Click here for a list of Chapters hosting the webinar. CAMFT members may register with any of the host Chapters.
How to schedule a meeting/presentation with Joy:
Chapter Board members are encouraged to reach out to CAMFT staff at mchampion@camft.org to schedule a virtual/in-person meeting with their Boards or an in-person State of the Profession presentation for their members.
ATTENTION CHAPTER MEMBERS: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS NEW BENEFIT!
CAMFT is offering chapter members a $5 discount on the 2024 Law and Ethics webinars. Take advantage of the discount and join our expert staff attorneys as they cover the essential topic MFTs need to know! Learn more.
NEW LAW & ETHICS WEBINAR Need some Law & Ethics CEs? Our newest course is now available in the On-Demand Library: Law & Ethics: Creating Clarity, Focus, and Reasonable Expectations at the Outset of Treatment and Beyond (3 CEs).
In this workshop, CAMFT Staff Attorney Sara Jasper highlights essential issues to address at the start of treatment, emphasizing the importance of identifying the patient unit and setting reasonable expectations. She clarifies professional boundaries and competencies, as well as key policies and procedures. The webinar also covers the No Surprises Act, discussing Medicare with patients now that LMFTs and LPCCs are Medicare-eligible. Finally, Jasper addresses considerations for treating patients with disabilities, providing legal and practical information to help clinicians comply with ADA responsibilities. View the full webinar here!
Don’t miss the next live Law & Ethics Webinars later this year! Members, you can register for them all right here!
September 20: Working with Suicidal and Dangerous Patients
October 23: Telehealth: The Fundamentals of Legal & Ethical Practice
November 15: You Get a Subpoena! And You Get a Subpoena!
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.
HOW TO FILL OUT IMPORTANT FORMS WHEN YOU HAVE MORE THAN 1 SUPERVISOR
Our legal team has seen an uptick in inquiries regarding how supervisees should complete Experience Verification forms or Weekly Log forms if they have more than one supervisor in the same work setting. The Board of Behavioral Sciences has answered this question in the PDF: Important Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Associate Marriage and Family Therapists and MFT Trainees document.
The BBS answers, “if you are receiving supervision from two individuals in one employment setting, the board recommends that you record all hours under your primary supervisor, with one exception. Any actual supervision hours that you received under your secondary supervisor must be recorded and signed for by your secondary supervisor on separate weekly logs and a separate Experience Verification form (your primary supervisor is not permitted to sign for supervision hours provided by another supervisor). However, all of your work experience hours in that setting may be recorded and signed for by your primary supervisor. Recording your experience in this manner will lessen the probability that the Board will need to request additional information from you when reviewing your Application for Licensure.”
CAMFT has 24 chapters throughout the state that offer local programs and networking opportunities for MFTs. Check with your local chapter to learn about how they support pre-licensees!
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.
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.
WELCOME NEW CEPA PROVIDERS
WELCOME TO OUR NEW CAMFT CERTIFIED SUPERVISORS
Read more.
NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR THE CAMFT CERTIFIED SUPERVISOR PROGRAM!
Click here to read more.
SCHOLARSHIP/GRANTS—CAMFT GIVING AWAY FREE MONEY!* Read more.
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