Summer 2009 issue (print view)
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT article 01
Deborah Benkovitz, LSW, MSW, MT-BC
I am honored to be assuming the role of President of the Mid-Atlantic Region. The past two years have been a privilege, working with Brian Abrams, the MAR board and others who have so generously guided and supported me. As President-Elect, I had the opportunity to ask questions and learn from many. I am inspired by the intelligence, knowledge, patience and kindness of my fellow MAR members, and I thank you all for your generosity and time. The level of confidence I feel as I step into the President shoes is due to the knowledge that I am surrounded by good people who exude generous and abundant energy.
Financially, Treasurer Elaine Abbott reports that as a region we are in good shape, remaining stable during tough economic times. The MAR board and conference hosts have been sensitive to members’ needs, and in response have kept conference costs low and membership dues the same. The conference planning committee for the next conference, which will be held in Pittsburgh, PA, March 24-27, is already discussing ways in which to keep the conference affordable and a good value for members. Gene Ann Behrens continues to address membership issues, exploring ways to entice new members, including discount coupons for their first regional conference, and mentoring services from experienced, regional music therapists. Public Relations reports an increase in activity in our region, and is working on cost-effective ways to support members who are asking for PR materials and displays.
Government Relations has been very active recently, particularly in the state of New Jersey, where the New Jersey Task Force (NJTF), headed by Kathy Murphy, is working with the New Jersey legislature to obtain licensure for music therapists who practice in New Jersey. The New York State Task Force on Occupational Regulations (NYSTF), headed by Donna Polen, continues to monitor the Mental Health Practitioner’s law that provides for licensing of creative arts therapists (LCAT) and the Pennsylvania State Task Force (PASTF), headed by Valerie Ushock, continues their work with Continuing Education credits and the Autism Act 62. Please read the individual reports from each task force and board member for more information.
The MAR is a progressive place to be, raising the bar in numerous areas of music therapy. Please feel free to contact me with any issues, concerns, suggestions or comments. I feel privileged to be serving the membership during this exciting time, and look forward to seeing you in San Diego at the AMTA conference, and in Pittsburgh, PA, for the 2010 regional conference.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
ASSEMBLY OF DELEGATES article 02
Donna W. Polen, LCAT, MT-BC
Since the work of the Assembly occurs strictly at the annual national conference, this time of year is quiet. With recent elections, a new Assembly will be seated at the conclusion of the 2009 conference in San Diego. The results of the MAR elections for Assembly-Elect and Alternates are not known as of the writing of this report (7/18/09), but I will be in touch with all concerned in early autumn. The Assembly-Elect meeting is scheduled on Sunday, November 15, 2009, from 7:00 am - 8:00 am. While the Assembly-Elect meeting is brief, it is an important one in which a new Speaker of the Assembly and Assistant Speaker of the Assembly will be elected, as well as four Assembly Delegates and four Alternate Delegates to the AMTA Board of Directors. In addition, it is at this meeting that the MAR Assembly-Elect will select their new Assembly Chair.
The current Assembly Delegates are expected to attend the conference and attend all three scheduled Assembly meetings, as well as any additional meetings that may be called while at conference. The tentative schedule of meetings for the Assembly in San Diego is as follows:
Thursday, November 12, 2009: 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Friday, November 13, 2009: 7:30 am - 9:30 am
Saturday, November 14, 2009: 11:15 am - 1:15 pm
As the time of our annual meeting in San Diego approaches, I will be in touch with current Assembly Delegates and Alternates as well as Assembly-Elect Delegates and Alternates, to insure we have adequate representation at all meetings. In addition, I will be working with President Benkovitz to identify key issues that will come before the Assembly, both to seek feedback from membership as well as to coordinate a pre-Assembly meeting caucus in San Diego.
CALL FOR PAPERS! article 03
Nina Galerstein, MT-BC
MUSIC THERAPY CONFERENCE 2010
Pittsburgh, PA
March 24-27, 2010
Please send one complete proposal, using the MAR Conference Proposal Form as the cover page. Include all the information listed below as well as the completed Proposal Form. Also send an original with three additional copies (4 total) which includes only the information listed in A-F for a “blind review” by the Conference Program Committee. Please note that all presenters must register for the conference.
GUIDELINES FOR NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS article 04
As your friendly neighborhood newsletter editors, our goal is to fill these pages with all the regional news that’s fit to print. For that we need your help. Tell us what’s happening in your world of Music Therapy, so we can share it with the rest of the membership. Along with committee and board reports, features such as local meeting news, special events, unique programming, personal perspectives and reflections, etc. will be considered.
All contributors should follow the guidelines on this handy checklist:
- Use 11 point Times New Roman, if possible
- Limit formatting
- Check spelling of any names referenced
- Indicate your name as you would like it to appear in the byline, with credentials
- Include a small headshot of yourself, if desired
- Any photos that illustrate your piece must have releases
- Note submission deadline
- Email your article as a Word file attachment to editor@mar-amta.org
THANKS!
CURRENT CONTINUING EDUCATION NEEDS OF BOARD CERTIFIED MUSIC THERAPISTS article 05
Deborah L. Layman, MM, NMT, MT-BC &
A. Louise Steele, MMEd, MT-BC
At the beginning of each year, the Continuing Education Committee (CEC) of CBMT collects Needs Assessment results from Approved Providers (APs). These results are a summary of continuing education needs expressed by MT-BC’s during the previous calendar year. Most of these needs are collected by a written survey distributed by an AP following a CMTE course.
During its most recent analysis, the CEC found that certificants identified a wide variety of continuing education needs, with most responses falling within a common Scope of Practice heading (e.g., Assessment, Implementation, Documentation). In the previous Needs Assessment analysis, Autism was identified as the top client population in which certificants need more continuing education. However, in the most recent analysis, Medical, Hospice, Palliative Medicine, and Cancer populations all shared the top of the list. Autism became second in need, and Young Children and Gerontology populations were identified as third.
This year’s Needs Assessment analysis also revealed significant continuing education needs in the following four areas:
- Assessment
- Evaluation, Documentation, Data forms, Data collection and analysis, and Sharing information effectively
- Implementation and generalization
- Musical styles and forms, Modes, and Transposition
CBMT is encouraging clinicians with expertise in these identified areas to offer CMTE courses. By providing desired training in these areas, the knowledge base of music therapy continues to grow, and the diverse needs of board-certified music therapists are met.
There are two ways in which CMTE courses can be provided:
- Become a CBMT Approved Provider (AP). When you become an AP, you are also recognized as a National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Provider. This reciprocity provides opportunities for you to offer continuing education to professionals in other related fields. CBMT Approved Providers are able to offer CMTE courses in identified need areas as well as any general courses they may wish to offer. CMTE courses may also be designed as independent home study or online courses for distance learners. In addition, APs may apply to offer a specialty CMTE course or series of courses in their area of expertise to MT-BCs and to professionals in related fields seeking continuing education credits for NBCC. For additional information on this process, please refer to the Approved Provider Manual, Revised Fourth Edition at www.cbmt.org.You may also request the brochure “Becoming a CBMT Approved Provider” from the CBMT office.
- Offer CMTE courses as a co-sponsor with other CBMT Approved Providers. A listing of all CBMT Approved Providers is available on the CBMT website.
If you are currently an AP, the CEC is sincerely grateful for your hard work and contributions. If you are not currently an AP, please consider becoming an AP. Becoming an AP provides you with opportunities to contribute to the skill and knowledge development of MT-BCs and to foster collegiality and knowledge exchange among music therapists.
The CEC is available to answer questions or to provide special assistance during the Approved Provider application process. A free CEC mentorship program offers support and feedback throughout the approval process to potential APs. Please contact the CBMT office at 1-800-765-2268, ext. 23, for information, or download an Approved Provider Manual and Two-Year Probationary Application at www.cbmt.org.
MAR ELECTION RESULTS article 06
Kathy Murphy, PhD, MT-BC, FAMI, LPC, LCAT
I would like to thank the members of the nominating committee Mark Ahola, Debbie Benkovitz, Joanne Loewy and Gary Verhagen for their work on the nominations committee. Congratulations to all those who won the election! The election results are as follows:
MAR EXECUTIVE BOARD
President-Elect: Kristen Brennan
Vice President for Conference Planning: Nina Galerstein
Vice President-Elect for Conference Planning: Michael Viega
Vice President for Membership: Gene Ann Behrens
Public Relations Chair: Meghan Hinman
Government relations Chair: Carol Ann Blank
Treasurer: Elaine Abbott
Assembly Delegates 2010-2011
Brian Abrams
Ruth Lee Adler
Gene Ann Behrens
Carol Ann Blank
Mary Boyle
Susan Hadley
Mary Clare Holliday
Terel Jackson
Betsey King
Suzie Knechtel
Tony Meadows
Kathy Murphy
Leah Oswanski
Sr Miriam Pfeifer
Evelyn Selesky
Gary Verhagen
Michael Viega
Alternates (In order of being called into service)
Valerie Ushock
Mark Ahola
Kristen Stewart
Gretchen Chardos
Mechelle Chestnut
Joni Milgram-Luterman
Melissa King
Adam Staub
David Herman
Julie Neal
Jennifer Townsend
Bob Miller
Brigette Sutton
Irv Kalugdan
Josh Schrader
Lauren Smith
Leanne Mickey Belasco
Leah Kmetz
Maria Carlini
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REPORT article 07
Kathy Murphy, PhD, MT-BC, FAMI, LPC, LCAT
National Advocacy
Arts Advocacy
AMTA has been involved in a number of national advocacy efforts designed to increase awareness of music therapy and increase access to services. As in previous years, AMTA was a co-sponsor of Arts Advocacy Day. This event is designed to emphasize the importance of strong public policy and increased funding for the arts. This year AMTA, in collaboration with the Society for the Arts in Healthcare (SAH), Americans for the Arts (AFTA), and the National Coalition for Creative Arts Therapies Associations (NCCATA), was able to work closely with the legislative planning committee in developing an “Arts in Healthcare” issue brief. In addition, AMTA was given the opportunity to present an overview of the Arts in Healthcare issue brief to the Congressional Arts Caucus. Judy Simpson, AMTA Director of Government Relations, was approached by several staff members from the House of Representatives with requests for additional information and to express support.
AMTA is continuing to collaborate with SAH, AFTA & NCCATA, meeting with the hearth and arts staff of key legislators including Sen. Kennedy (MA), Sen. Schumer, (NY), Sen. Harkin (IL), and Rep. McCollum. These members are all involved in Healthcare Reform, which is currently very active in Congress. We plan to visit more Congressional offices and provide additional information in support of the arts in healthcare action items listed on the Issue Brief.
Obama Administration
AMTA and CBMT submitted comments to the Obama Transition Team website, highlighting music therapy as a treatment option in healthcare and special education. As timing was tight for this opportunity, these comments were developed with the assistance of AMTA research consultant, Barb Else and in communication with Joy Schneck, Dena Register, Andi Farbman, and Judy Simpson. AMTA continues to review the legislation related to healthcare reform and is determining how and where music therapy would fit into any new healthcare initiative.
State Advocacy
Currently 24 active task forces are involved in state recognition efforts; three of which are in MAR. You will find detailed information on the work of the New Jersey State Task Force, New York State Task Force and Pennsylvania State Task Force in this newsletter. Nationally, all of the state task forces have been diligently working in order to increase access to music therapy through state recognition. Music therapy licensure legislation has been introduced in IL and NE. In both these states AMTA and CBMT are working with task force members to address concerns raised by opposing groups.
THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION NEEDS YOU! article 08
Brian Abrams, Ph.D., MT-BC, LPC, LCAT, FAMI
We need energetic and creative people to share their talents
in various capacities with the Mid-Atlantic Region!!!
Think about what kind of position you have the time for and let me know in what capacity you would want to serve. Simply send back this form or e-mail me the information. If you would like more information about a particular position, please contact me! Also indicate if you want to get involved now or in the future (1-2 years). I’ll keep your name on file for
future reference.
Choose any position(s) in which you might be interested:
BIG JOBS:
Elected Officers:
- President (6 year commitment)
- Vice President for Conference Planning (4 year commitment)
- Vice-President for Membership
- Government Relations Chair
- Public Relations Chair
- Treasurer
- Assembly Delegate
Appointed Officers:
- Newsletter Editor
- Assistant Editor
- Secretary
- Parliamentarian
- Historian
Appointed Positions:
- Archivist
- Continuing Education Coordinator
- Exhibits Coordinator
- Conference Coordinator
- Representatives to AMTA Standing Committees
- Task Force Chairs
MEDIUM JOBS:
- Task force members
- Members of Government Relations and Public Relations Committees
- Local Conference Chairs
- Committees Coordinator of Special Projects
SMALLER JOBS:
- CMTE Presenter
- one time jobs with an ending and deadline
- special projects
- column writers for the newsletter
Please send response to:
Brian Abrams, PhD, MT-BC, LPC, LCAT, FAMI
brabrams@earthlink.net
(610) 299-9630
Include your:
- Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
MEMBERSHIP REPORT article 9
Gene Ann Behrens, PhD, MT-BC
We are only as strong as our members – become involved!
Based on the first quarter report dated 4/8/09, we have 742 members in our region. This total is a 2.75% decrease, or about 20 people less from this same time last year. A review of the numbers associated with the membership types indicates that the greatest percent decrease was with the student membership numbers. More specifically, there was a 2.58% decrease in professional members, an 11.97% decrease in student membership, and a 5.33% decrease in graduate student membership. Increasing student membership and identifying their needs will become a focus for this next year.
Recently I completed a callathon among those music therapists who had dropped their MAR and AMTA membership during the last three years. I made about 300 calls and want to thank those who assisted with the other calls, Ruthlee Adler, Matt Phillips, Kathy Murphy, and Carol Ann Blank; their help was invaluable. Our focus involved asking the music therapists about their needs and concerns within the region and nationally. Of the 516 people who were called, contact was made with 97 people and messages about the MAR and AMTA benefits were left with 163 people. Data were collected on the majority of the people with whom contact was made; a report of the feedback and numbers related to the calls will be given to the board and has been sent to the chairs of the national membership committee. The MAR board has begun to discuss ways to address one of the interests expressed by some music therapists, that is, they are interested in more local opportunities to obtain CMTE credits.
I also have continued to send out new professional membership packets, welcome to the region membership packets, and connect new professional members with mentors. For the first time at our last regional conference, we recognized 23 new professional members with certificates during the opening ceremonies. We also approved one additional member to receive assistance through the Membership Support Fund.
The focus of the national membership committee continues to be on increasing membership. Besides completing the previously described callathon within our region, members of the committee completed two other tasks. The student representative created a flier concerning membership and distributed it to students at all schools, and one of the co-chairs of the committee completed a survey of what members and non-members view as needs and concerns.
I continue to encourage all of you to get involved in some way within our region – it will take all of us to make a difference.
- Volunteers – The form for volunteering is on the MAR website and should be sent to our past president, Brian Abrams.
- Students – As you finish your internship, please complete and email the new professional membership form that can be found on the MAR website; you will receive a $75 discount coupon for the next MAR conference as well as a packet of materials.
- All members – Let me know when music therapists move into our region or if one of our members needs additional support from the region.
I want to thank all of you for your support of my role as Vice President of Membership for another term. I look forward to serving the needs of music therapists in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
NEW JERSEY TASK FORCE ON OCCUPATIONAL REGULATION (NJSTF) article 10
Kathy Murphy, PhD, MT-BC, FAMI, LPC, LCAT
The NJSTF continues its advocacy efforts in New Jersey. Members of the task force include Carol Ann Blank, Kristen Brennan, Leah Oswanski, and David Ramsey.
UPDATE ON STATE RECOGNITION
A practice act is being proposed to ensure that music therapy is provided by qualified music therapists. The intent is not to restrict the use of music, but to restrict the practice of music therapy to licensed music therapists and advanced practice music therapists. The task force in collaboration with the NJ Advisory Council has submitted the following language for inclusion in the bill.
PROPOSED TITLES
Music Therapist – bachelor’s degree in music therapy from an approved AMTA college/university, and passage of CBMT exam
Advanced Practice Music Therapist – 48 credit hour master’s degree in music therapy from an approved AMTA college/university, and passage of the highest level exam available.
PROPOSED DEFINITIONS
Music Therapy:
A therapeutic relationship in which the therapist systematically uses music and music experiences to support progress toward treatment goals. The music therapist demonstrates basic knowledge of music therapy assessment, treatment, documentation, and evaluation; and demonstrates understanding of ethical principles and current standards of practice.
Advanced Practice Music Therapy:
A therapeutic relationship in which the therapist systematically applies and integrates a comprehensive synthesis of theories, research, treatment knowledge, musicianship, clinical skills, and personal awareness to address client needs through music and music experiences. The advanced practice music therapist demonstrates comprehensive understanding of foundations and principles of music, music therapy, treatment, and management in clinical, educational, research, and administrative settings.
GRANDPARENTING
Music Therapist: One who meets either (1) or (2) of the following:
- Currently holds the Music Therapist-Board certified (MT-BC) credential, and is in good standing with the Certification Board for Music Therapists:
- Currently holds the professional designation Registered Music Therapist (RMT), Certified Music Therapist, or Advanced Certified Music Therapist (ACMT), and is in good standing with the National Music Therapy Registry
–OR—
Advanced Practice Music Therapist: One who meets both (1) and (2) of the following:
- Meets one of the following criteria:
- Currently holds the Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC) credential, and is in good standing with the Certification Board for Music Therapists;
- Currently holds the professional designation registered music Therapist (RMT), certified Music Therapist, or Advanced Certified Music Therapist (ACMT), and is in good standing with the National Music Therapy Registry
--AND—
(2) Meets at least one of the following criteria
(a) Holds a master’s degree in music therapy
(b) Has completed 7 or more years of clinical experience in music therapy
EXEMPTIONS
Current state and county employees
Therapeutic musicians (i.e. drum circle facilitators, harp therapists) so long as they are working within the scope of their education and training; licensed professionals so long as they do not hold themselves out to be music therapists, or claim to do music therapy.
The NJ Office of Legislative Services is reviewing this language along with the AMTA Advisory on Levels of Practice; Standards of Practice and Advanced Competencies and the CBMT Scope of Practice. We expect to have the official draft ready for NJ Music Therapists to review late summer/early fall. The Task Force will hold another series of informational meetings this fall, in order to distribute copies of the bill, review the language, and to answer any questions and address any concerns NJ music therapists may have. The bill will also be posted on the MAR and NJAMT websites. Please send an e-mail to njtaskforce@yahoo.com in order to receive e-mail notification of the date/time/location of the informational meetings.
USE OF “CMT” DESIGNATION IN NJ
We recently learned that NJ Statutes Annotated Title 45: 11-73 prohibits anybody, except a massage therapists licensed pursuant to the massage therapy act, to use the abbreviation “MT” or “CMT” in the state of NJ. We have notified the NMTR, and they are in the process of notifying those individuals on the registry that currently use the professional designation “CMT.” The section of the law reads as such:
45:11-73 Licensure required for use of certain titles.
18. a. No person shall engage in the practice of massage and bodywork therapies as a licensed massage and bodywork therapist or present, call or represent himself as a licensed massage and bodywork therapist unless licensed pursuant to this amendatory and supplementary act.
b. No person shall assume, represent himself as, or use the title or designation “massage or bodywork therapists,” “licensed massage and bodywork therapist” or any tile or designation which includes the words ‘massage<’ bodywork,” “masseur,” “masseuse,” “shiatsu,” “acupressure,” “accu-pressure,” “nuad bo’rarn,” “amma,” “anma,” “chi nei tsang,” “tuina,” “polarity educator,” polarity therapist,” “polarity therapy,” “polarity practitioner,” or any of the abbreviations “MT,” “BT,” “MBT,” “MBST,” “CMBT,” “COBT,” “CMT,” ‘LBT,” “LMBST,” “LMBT,” “LABT,” “LOBT,” ‘AB,” “ABT,” “OB,” “RPP,” OR”LMT” or similar abbreviations as determined by the board, unless licensed under this amendatory and supplementary act.
L.2007, c337, s.18
As always, please contact the task force at njtaskforce@yahoo.com if you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the work of the NJ Task Force.
New York State Task Force on Occupational Regulation (NYSTF)
and New York State Group of Eight (G8) article 11
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.
Pennsylvania State Task Force on Occupational Regulations (PASTF) article 12
Valerie F. Uschock, LCAT, MT-BC, NMT
The following information is current as of July 1, 2009
PEP TALK FROM THE CHAIR!!
As this report is written, Pennsylvania awaits the New Budget for the upcoming fiscal year. News of cutbacks may get us down and make us feel that there is nothing we can do. Many of think THEY will never understand music therapy, so why bother? I beg to differ!! Try to shift your perspective…instead of getting frustrated and defensive when yet another person does not seem to understand “musical therapy”, see this as another opportunity to educate. Do we give up on our clients? No, of course not! So, how do we do this advocacy thing? I am not an expert by any means, but as I have taken on this role to lead the advocacy effort in PA, I am learning and becoming more confident each day. I feel that we advocate through the many hats of knowledge and experience that we wear (i.e. clinical, research, education, artistic).
Advocacy happens on many levels. To me, advocacy is sharing my passion for my profession… sharing clinical experiences and tidbits of research with people on a one to one basis… speaking to a target audience who has a vested interest in advocating for music therapy… developing and maintaining relationships with key decision makers in healthcare, public policy, and government. It can be a small movement or it can be a large movement, but perhaps our creativity and our ability to adapt to the present situation in order to facilitate positive change is our greatest strength!! We do it all the time with our clients, so why not use our creativity and adaptability when it comes to legislation and advocacy?
We have to remember that we are the experts in our field. We should never assume that the people making the decisions know what we are all about. It is up to us to educate, educate, educate. The responsibility is ours. On behalf of the task force, I would like to thank all of the music therapists out there who are advocating on a daily basis. I especially appreciate those who have shared their successes and their challenges with us through phone calls and emails. You may not realize that you are advocating. Please do not think you have nothing to offer. You may just have the piece of information we are looking for. Now is the time to join the larger effort as there is still much work to be done!!!
1. Service Definitions for Person/Family Based Waiver: As you all know, PASTF has been following this issue over the past couple of years. A recent Call To Action was sent to music therapists across PA who work with Developmental Disabilities/Autism. We asked music therapists, parents, and other professionals to send letters to Kevin Casey, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), Estelle Richman, Secretary of the Department of Public Welfare (DPW), as well as District Legislators. The final service definitions have been implemented as of July 1, 2009. According to the May 28th meeting minutes of the Medical Assistance Advisory Council, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been concerned with the way the two mental retardation programs have been managed in Pennsylvania, including the consistency of management of the program across the state. The first change, which we have been following, includes the ODP revising the service definitions related to the programs that are available to people served through the waiver. Federal Financial Participation can be requested for this. There are some limitations under federal regulations about the services that can be provided. The second change is the method of payment to providers of services. The state provides the money to the counties and the counties distribute the money to the providers at the county level. Effective July 1, providers will be billing the state directly for services they provide. Their payment will come through Treasury and ODP thinks this will provide for a significantly more consistent payment structure. As we move forward, PASTF will be looking at the finalized service definitions as well as the new payment system. Valerie Uschock briefly met with State Senator Kim Ward (39th District) in June to apprise her of this issue. We are awaiting to hear about our options in moving forward with our advocacy efforts.
2. Autism Insurance Act 62 (HB 1150): Act 62 officially takes effect as of July 1, 2009. It mandates that large group insurers cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism and autism spectrum disorders for persons under the age of 21. More information can be found at www.PAAutismInsurance.org . Services must be provided by an “autism service provider” who participates in the child’s insurance plan in order to be covered. Medical Assistance will not cover autism services for children who have commercial insurance coverage under Act 62 before the $36,000 cap is reached if the family chooses to use a provider that does not participate in the child’s commercial insurance plan. However, a provider that participates in both the child’s commercial insurance plan and Medical Assistance may still be able to bill Medical Assistance if services are first denied by the child’s commercial insurance plan.
Based on the information thus far, it seems that in order to work under Act 62:
1. The music therapist needs be recognized as an “Autism Service Provider”
2. Even if the music therapist is currently an Medical Assistance Provider, they would have to become an eligible provider with specific commercial insurances.
LPC UPDATE
1. Renewal Process: Many of you went through the renewal process earlier this year. We hope that you found the continuing education fact sheet helpful with this process. As a reminder, it will remain on the MAR website for your reference. (www.mar-amta.org). The fact sheet can be found both on the home page announcements section and on the Pennsylvania section. I want to thank those of you who contacted PASTF with questions and comments. The questions really helped us to find the most accurate information.
2. LPC Supervison: Recently, there have been some questions surfacing regarding a change in guidelines for supervision in regards to “additional coursework” that certifies one as a supervisor. Upon looking at the regulations, nothing was found that specifically addresses this concern. For those that are hearing about supposed changes, please contact us and include written source(s) if at all possible. PASTF will actively monitor these concerns and we will update LPCs on any changes.
As always, all questions, concerns, news on PA health legislation, etc. should be sent to the Task Force at: pastate.task.force@gmail.com.
Best to all of you!
PAST PRESIDENT’S REPORT article 13
Brian Abrams, Ph.D., MT-BC, LPC, LCAT, FAMI
Greetings from North Jersey! I hope that you are all enjoying your summer. It is an ongoing honor to serve as a member of the MAR Executive Board, now in the role of Immediate Past-President.
As Past-President, I serve in an advisory capacity to the President, Debbie Benkovitz, with whom I have been in contact about various matters of the region over the past several months. The Past-President also serves as a liaison between the MAR Executive Board and the MAR Representatives to the AMTA National Standing Committees.
In addition, the Past-President helps identify members interested in serving on a regional level. In this lattermost capacity, I encourage you to give serious consideration to serving the region, to share your energy and voice, and contribute your unique abilities to the advancement of our profession within the region. You may indicate your interest in serving using the “MAR Needs You” form, available at http://www.mar-amta.org/opps/volunteer.html.
In order that the MAR Executive Board is able to serve you most effectively, please feel free to contact me, President Benkovitz, or any member of the Executive Board, should you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
PUBLIC RELATIONS article 14
Susan Hadley, PhD, MT-BC
It is my pleasure to hand over the reigns to the newly elected public relations chair, Meghan Hinman. I would also like to say that I have really enjoyed my position on the board as PR chair and am glad to be staying on as the new Student Affairs Advisor. We have some exciting ideas for the future of PR in MAR, and I look forward to sharing these with Meghan. I have faith in her abilities to move us into a new direction.
For requests for public relations materials, please go to the PR page on the website and fill in the request for materials. As the past PR chair, I am proud to be part of a region that values public relations so highly. Please submit your requests and questions about public relations issues to Meghan at megharmony@optonline.net.
STUDENT AFFAIRS article 15
Susan Hadley, PhD, MT-BC
I would like to take the opportunity to thank my very good friend, Joke Bradt, for all the wonderful energy that she brought to the position of Student Affairs Advisor to MARAMTS over so many years. She has been a great asset and has made my transition into this position very smooth. She will be missed for sure. I am honored to have been elected by the students to be their new advisor and look forward to working with them closely.
I am very excited about the 6th Annual Passages Conference, a free one-day conference by students and young professionals that is being held at Nazareth College on Saturday, October 24th. The title of the conference this year is “Transformations: A Time of Modulation.” Noah Potvin (Temple University grad student) and Evangeline Williams (MSU alum, new professional) are this year’s coordinators. Start planning now so that you and many of your peers/colleagues can attend. This is a wonderful event and each year the presentations are of a very high standard. For more information and registration, go to www.mar-amta.org.
During the conference, the students raised over $920 through the sale of Music Therapy car magnets. They also raised $125 from the canning project which is going to The Shropshire Foundation, which provides musical instruments and performances for war affected children around the world.
A new Student Executive Board was elected at the regional conference. They are:
| Past-President | Sherrye Dobrin, Montclair State University | |
| President | Maggie Robinson, Molloy College | |
| Vice-President | Michelle Bonaventura, Slippery Rock University | |
| Secretary | Stephanie Kawzenuk, Nazareth College | |
| Treasurer | Leeann Hackett, Elizabethtown College | |
| Parliamentarian | Bridget Skipper, Immaculata University | |
| Government Relations | Angela Junker, Slippery Rock University |
It is my pleasure to announce this year’s winners of scholarships and awards offered to students in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The Sophomore, Junior, and Graduate scholarships as well as the Club Awards are offered by MARAMTS thanks to their successful fundraising at conference. The Jenny Shinn Memorial Scholarship is offered to music therapy interns by MAR.
The out-going Executive Board awarded the following scholarships:
SOPHOMORE/JUNIOR SCHOLARSHIP (AMTA dues + MAR Conference registration fee):
Candace Deshler, Shenandoah University
Kristen Vogt, Marywood University
Stephanie Kawzenuk, Nazareth College
Alecia M. Meila, Marywood University
GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP (AMTA dues + MAR Conference registration fee) :
Amanda Burchfield, Radford University
CLUB AWARDS ($250 each)
This year, MARAMTS offered again two Club Awards ($250 each). The clubs needed to complete a service or advocacy project and send a report to MARAMTS. This year winners are:
Elizabethtown College
Temple University
JENNY SHINN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Three winners ($400 each):
Sherrye Dobrin, Montclair State University
Megan Smith, Nazareth College
Caitlin O'Reilly, SUNY Fredonia
Runner up ($300)
Jillian Argue, Temple University
Check with you program director or visit www.mar-amta.org in September for scholarship and award applications. Make sure to apply! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at susan.hadley@sru.edu.
TREASURER’S REPORT article 16
Elaine Abbot, PhD, MT-BC, FAMI, LCAT
Welcome to the 2009-10 Fiscal Year! The board approved an operating budget of $85,350 for this year (July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010). It is based on the current balances of and dividends from MAR accounts, as well as projected incomes from the 2010 MAR Conference, Newsletter ads, and dues.
Our Operating Budget checking account currently has a balance of $24,860.10. Our Conference Budget checking account is $30,471.53. The Vanguard Money Market account balance is $17,070.78
As always, I have much gratitude for the support and hard work of the Finance Committee. For the last two years, it has included: Brian Abrams, Kathy Murphy, Gary Verhagen, Nancy Vees, and Mike Viega.