SUMMER 2009 issue
New York State Task Force on Occupational Regulation (NYSTF)
and New York State Group of Eight (G8)
Donna W. Polen, LCAT, MT-BC
Information current as of 7/18/09
The voting members of the NYSTF, appointed by the MAR Executive Board, are: Mary E. Boyle, EdD, LCAT, MT-BC; Beth R. McLaughlin, MS, LCAT, MT-BC; Donna W. Polen, LCAT, MT-BC, Chair; Evelyn C. Selesky, MA, LCAT, MT-BC; Madelaine Ventre, MS, FAMI, LCAT, MT-BC. Ex-officio members, without the right to vote, are: Carol Ann Blank, MMT, MT-BC, MAR Government Relations Chair; Judy Simpson, MHP, MT-BC, AMTA Director of Government Relations; Deborah Benkovitz, LSW, MSW, MT-BC, MAR President.
The voting members of the G8, with 2 representatives each from AMTA, CBMT, MAR and NYSTF are:
AMTA: Paul Nolan, MCAT, MT-BC, LPC; Judy Simpson, MHP, MT-BC
CBMT: Nancy Hadsell, PhD, MT-BC; Dena Register, PhD, MT-BC
MAR: Mary E. Boyle, EdD, LCAT, MT-BC; Carol Ann Blank, MMT, MT-BC
NYSTF: Beth R. McLaughlin, MS, LCAT, MT-BC; Donna W. Polen, LCAT, MT-BC, Chair.
The NYSTF continues to monitor the implementation of the NYS Mental Health Practitioners’ law that provides for the licensing of creative arts therapists (LCAT). Over the last several months, a number of “unintended consequences” have arisen following implementation of the licensure law. While the “intended consequences” were to protect consumers, the “unintended consequences” are that people are being prohibited from practicing, resulting in the “unintended consequence” that consumers are not receiving services. The causes for these unintended consequences are numerous, and include: severe budget cuts resulting in staff cuts, leading to extreme delays and/or no action being taken on applications; fees for licensure, limited permits, and re-registration being raised; the impact of corporate practice law on unauthorized settings, resulting in applicants’ experience not being accepted and jobs being cut due to the inability of these settings to employ licensed professionals; lack of available supervisors at authorized settings; and the limiting of licensing MHPs, as well as follow-up on concerns and/or grievances, resulting in the compromising of public health and safety. In addition, NYSTF is monitoring the status of LCATs being denied as approved providers within the NYC DOH 9/11 Benefit Fund, and working to rectify this inappropriate exclusion.