Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 3. Source pages: 6.
From the Minutes Selected Items from January and December Discussions of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
DECEMBER
15,
2017
Executive
Director
Report
– Ms. Monic reported on the following: Elections opened on November 22, 2017 and will close on December 22, 2017. The LSBEP appeal in the LA First Circuit in the matter of Dr. Eric Cerwonka (Plaintiff/Appellee) and LA State board of Examiners of Psychologists (Defendant/Appellant) was set for oral argument on January 10, 2018. A Motion to Dismiss was filed in the Civil Suit against the Board by Eric Cerwonka in the U.S. District Court, and is set for Oral Argument on January 18, 2018.
Complaints
Committee:
– Dr. Griffin reported that he and Ms. Monic interviewed two qualified candidates for the contract position of Complaints Coordinator II. Dr. Griffin moved in favor of offering the contract for Complaints Coordinator II to Dr. Erin Skaff. Which role will be to serve the Board in reviewing and overseeing the direction of complaint investigations, including negotiating Consent Orders for the Board when needed, where the primary Complaints Coordinator I may be recused due to conflict of interest, or unable to serve due to workload. The contract amount shall not exceed $5,000, with standard terms and travel reimbursement established by contract. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote as follows: Griffin – YEA, Lambert – YEA, Boggs – YEA, Henke – YEA. Ms. Monic was directed and empowered to facilitate the contract with Dr. Skaff. Dr. Griffin noted for the record that upon the execution of Dr. Skaff’s contract, the Board will have three Complaint Coordinators contracted for complaint reviews.
DISCUSSION
ITEM
[s] 1.
Audit for Reciprocity requirements with ASPPB, Certificate of Professional Qualifications and ABPP Diplomat* – Due to time constraints, this matter was tabled
2. Letter from Texas Board of Examiners of Psychologists RE: Reciprocity Agreement* – The Board reviewed the letter from Darrel Spinks, Executive Director for the Texas Board of Examiners of Psychologists, wherein Texas terminated reciprocity with Louisiana, effective December 18, 2017, due to recent legislative changes which no longer require Texas to administer an oral examination for licensure. By motion of Dr. Lambert, the Board accepted the termination letter from Mr. Spinks. Ms. Monic was directed to facilitate the necessary revisions on the application process.
3. Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) Part I and Part II – Due to time constraints, this matter was tabled.
4. Request for Quarterly Verification Report from the Office of Behavioral Health* – The Board reviewed the email request from LDH, to assist them with auditing MHO’s by providing a quarterly report to LDH so they could audit a sampling of the providers credentialed by MHO’s. Noting that such a report is not currently developed and further that this information is readily available at the LSBEP website for LDH to access, the Board suggested Ms. Monic discuss the needs of LDH further and also direct LDH to the information available on its website.
JANUARY
12,
2018
Executive
Director
Report Ms. Monic reported those results to the Board as follows: Of 768 electors, 211 participated. Dr. Greg Gormanous received 169 votes. 42 electors abstained. Ms. Monic reported that LPA should report these results in accordance with LA R.S. 37:2353.A(2). Ms. Monic reported that oral arguments were heard in the LA First Circuit in the matter of Dr. Eric Cerwonka (Plaintiff/Appellee) and LA State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (Defendant/Appellant) on January 10, 2018. No updates were available with regard to the Motion to Dismiss filed in the Civil Suit against the Board by Eric Cerwonka in the U.S. District Court.
Finance
Committee
Report Ms. Monic reported the need for a contract amendment for Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips, LLC in relationship to the ongoing litigation and that the matter was on the agenda as a discussion item.
DISCUSSION
ITEM[S]
2. Contract Amendment: Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips, LLC – The Board discussed amending the dollar amount of the contract for Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips, LLC in relationship to the ongoing litigation. Dr. Henke, moved in favor of increasing the current contract amount by $7,500. The Board discussed the motion. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote as follows: Griffin – YEA, Boggs- YEA, Henke – YEA, Crouch– YEA.
3. Contract Renewal: with Deborah Harkins for 2018 Regular Legislative Session [Rodel, Parsons, Koch, Blanche, Balhoff & McCollister] – The Board discussed renewing the contract with Ms. Harkins for the 2018 Legislative Session. Dr. Griffin recommended renewing the terms and amount ($7,500) of the contract with Ms. Harkins for the reminder of the 2017-18 Fiscal Year. Dr. Henke moved in favor of the recommendation. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote as follows: Griffin – YEA, Boggs- YEA, Henke – YEA, Crouch– YEA.
4. Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) Part I and Part II – The Board discussed concerns with the development of the new EPPP and ASPPB’s requirement that jurisdictions require both Part I and II for licensure in Louisiana. Additional concerns were raised regarding the substantial fee increase, lack of data provided for exam validity, and the preadmission and vetting of candidates by ASPPB rather than by licensing jurisdictions. The Board agreed to formulate a response and request for additional information
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.