Article archive / March 2022

Originally published: March 2022. Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 4.

WASHINGTON, DC – On February 23, Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation announced it is working to obtain more federal resources to address the needs of those impacted by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta and Ida. "We respectfully request swift action to make good on the promise of the down payment in the September Continuing Resolution and appropriate additional supplemental funding dollars for unmet needs in Louisiana."

According to the announcement, the three main asks of Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation:

1. Provide additional funding to those affected by 2020 Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta. In September, $5 billion in disaster aid was included in response to the 2020 and 2021 disasters. So far, $600 million has been allocated for those impacted by Louisiana’s 2020 hurricanes. 2. Hurricane Ida victims are yet to receive any of the $5 billion from the September 2021 law, the delegation seeks to increase disaster aid to comply with updated damage assessments from this powerful storm.

3. Complementary hurricane protection, coastal restoration and flood control investments help to improve the safety and security of communities impacted by the 2020 and 2021 hurricanes. The delegation is working to include additional investment in key Corps of Engineers projects to prevent future hurricane damages.

The Congressional Delegation also asked for the previously approved hurricane recovery funding, included in the September government funding legislation, to be expedited as families continue to struggle across Louisiana – some still without housing, living in tents or lacking access to critical services.

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Article archive / March 2022

Originally published: March 2022. Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 9.

Present law provides rights for victims of crimes.

The proposed law, SB 69 by Sen. Connick, retains present law and eases restrictions on eligibility and involvement in criminal justice processes. Proposed law removes requirement that a victim must report a crime within 72 hours in order to receive benefits available under present law, and expands eligibility to victims of additional crimes.

Proposed law removes requirement that the victim or designated family member must register with the La. Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice in order to receive services.

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Article archive / March 2022

Originally published: March 2022. Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 4.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has announced the appointment of Melinda “Mendy” Richard as assistant secretary for the Department's Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS). Richard most recently served as the deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Community Preparedness and Health Protection in the Office of Public Health (OPH). OAAS was formed within the Department of Health as a healthcare reform initiative.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / March 2022

Originally published: March 2022. Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 10.

Sen. Mills may support health care providers with his SB 59.

The current law provides for the Louisiana Medicaid managed care program and the payment of claims submitted by participating healthcare providers.

The proposed law retains present law and further provides that a Medicaid managed care organization or its contractor, assignee, or agent is prohibited from requiring any enrolled provider to be subject to prepayment review unless the requirement is

implemented directly by the La. Dept. of Health and in accordance with the provisions of the Medical Assistance Programs Integrity Law.

Proposed law provides that "prepayment review" means requiring a healthcare provider to provide medical record documentation in conjunction with, or after, the submission of a claim for payment for medical services rendered but before the claim has been adjudicated by the Medicaid managed care organization.

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Article archive / March 2022

Originally published: March 2022. Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 4.

Darlyne G. Nemeth, PhD, MP, the Co-Secretary General of he World Council for Psychotherapy, announced that the Council has put forth a position statement, calling on Russia "to immediately cease the invasion of Ukraine; stop the war; respect the law of nations; and bring back all Russian troops and weapons to their home country." The World Council for Psychotherapy is an international group whose aims include to promote psychotherapy on all continents of the world and cooperate with national and international organisations in peacekeeping and conflict management measures."

Dr. Nemeth owns and directs The Neuropsychology Center of Louisiana, located in Baton Rouge.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / March 2022

Originally published: March 2022. Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 10.

Sen. Connick is proposing refinements in criminal law with SB64. The present law provides for a nonexhaustive list of crimes of violence , the definition of rape, and the crimes of first degree/ aggravated rape, second degree sexual battery, oral sexual battery, second degree kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping of a child, and sexual battery of persons with infirmities.

Proposed law does the following:

(1) Adds the present law crimes of aggravated kidnapping of a child, molestation, and sexual battery of persons with infirmities to the list of crimes of violence.

(2) Defines rape to include foreign object penetration.

(3) Defines first degree/aggravated rape to include rapes committed during the course of burglary crimes.

(4) Replaces the definitions of "physical infirmity" and "mental infirmity" relative to first degree/aggravated rape with more inclusive language to better protect victims with disabilities.

(5) Defines the term "sexually abused" relative to second degree kidnapping and aggravated kidnapping of a child to mean that the victim was subjected to any offense defined as a sex offense by present law.

(6) Aligns second degree sexual battery, oral sexual battery, and sexual battery of persons with infirmities with other provisions of present law.

Proposed law otherwise retains present law.

Sen. Connick is also proposing changes with his measure, SB 66.

Present law provides penalties for violation of protective orders depending upon recidivist status, whether the offender battered the victim and whether the offender committed a crime of violence against the victim. Proposed law further provides that a violation of a protective order, if the violation involves a battery or any crime of violence against the victim to whose benefit the protective order is in effect, is a crime of violence.

The proposed law retains present law and provides enhanced penalties when the offender goes to the residence or household, school, or place of employment of the person for whose benefit the protective order is in effect while in possession of a firearm.

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Article archive / March 2022

Originally published: March 2022. Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 5.

In Feb. the Gov. said that $100 million dollars has been allocated to 33 Louisiana parishes through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The HMGP funding will be used to support recovery and mitigation projects in the parishes related to Hurricane Zeta, the severe winter weather event in 2021, the May 2021 flooding event and Hurricane Ida.

The goal is to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property by lessening the impact of a disaster. Examples of mitigation work include residential elevation, reconstruction or acquisition of flood prone structures and converting land to green space, localized drainage improvements, safe room construction, wind retrofit of structures and emergency power for critical facilities.

Ascension Parish ($2,574,573) Assumption Parish ($1,822,065) Bossier Parish ($365,680) Caddo Parish ($2,551,373) Calcasieu Parish ($1,620,789) Concordia Parish ($486,765) DeSoto Parish ($398,424) East Baton Rouge ($2,298,401) East Feliciana (1,578,357) Grant Parish ($331,673) Iberia Parish ($1,519,644) Iberville Parish ($1,891,639) Jefferson Parish ($5,666,431) Lafayette Parish ($374,491) Lafourche Parish ($17,390,470) Livingston Parish ($3,635,223) Orleans Parish ($3,749,318) Ouachita Parish ($479,472) Plaquemines Parish ($2,886,649) Pointe Coupee Parish ($1,575,092) St. Bernard Parish ($2,388,221) St. Charles Parish ($4,293,548) St. Helena Parish ($2,086,405) St. James Parish ($2,871,829) St. John the Baptist Parish ($4,791,909) St. Martin Parish ($1,634,799) St. Mary Parish ($1,682,626) St. Tammany Parish ($2,040,190) Tangipahoa Parish ($2,971,666) Terrebonne Parish ($17,685,825) Washington Parish ($1,532,414) West Baton Rouge Parish ($1,768,265) West Feliciana Parish ($1,310,949)

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Article archive / March 2022

Originally published: March 2022. Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 16.

The Louisiana Psychological Association will host Dr. Jennifer Kelly, clinical health psychologist and past president of the American Psychological Association, at their 2022 Spring convention to be held April 8–9 in New Orleans. Dr. Kelly will deliver the Janet and Lee Mathews Invited Address.

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Article archive / March 2022

Originally published: March 2022. Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 5.

The Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum (LHCQF), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reshaping healthcare in Louisiana, has announced the appointment of Carol Patin, MD, to their Board of Directors. For more than 30 years, Dr. Patin’s calling has been for the underserved with an emphasis on community-based programs. She is an experienced and respected physician leader whose professional experience includes developing community-based clinical programs, starting and running a solo women’s health care private practice, serving in C- suite level leadership positions in rural and community health care centers, and training health care providers at all levels in both academic and clinical settings.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Carol Patin to the Quality Forum’s Board of Directors,” said Cindy Munn, LHCQF Chief Executive Officer.

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Article archive / March 2022

Originally published: March 2022. Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 5.

1. Finance Committee – Ms. Monic presented a Financial Report […]: Income: Renewal $258,290 This category was amended on 11/12/2021 to reduce the projection due to no renewals collected for Assistants to Psychologists and correct the amount projected for License Renewal Fees. With the amendment, 99.8% of the budgeted amount has been collected. Contract Labor $21,545.97 Budgeted $139,232 We have expended 15.5% of the budgeted amount (total contracted amounts). This category is less predictable depending on complaint matters. Although considering risks associated with potential hearings, category is currently stable. Additionally, the Board will be posting for a Complaints Coordinator III. Salaries and Benefits $74,155.10 Budgeted $195,887 This category was amended on 11/12/2021 due to the vacant Compliance Officer position and proposed establishment of an Operations position. There was also an increase to the Clerical Assistant position that is currently filled by a student worker. The Board intends to redirect funds from Contract Labor to Salaries and Benefits, in the event that a qualified individual is found to fill the In-house Attorney position.

A final Budget, approved on November 12, 2021, is provided with this report for the ensuing FY 2022-23 and contains amendments to the Current 2021-22 Budget, also approved November 12, 2021. With the approved changes, noted COVID19 related savings, and current downward trend in contract spending, there is an anticipated increase in the fund balance (cash on hand) to be carried over to 2022- 23 now estimated to be $67,733. While this is good news, your unreserved fund balance is still anticipated to be ($-286,708) and there remains a long way to go to achieve your new goals for revenue generation that is included in this projection.

Consider emergency rulemaking for the Registration of Assistants to Psychologists, particularly given the importance highlighted on this issue through the legislative process by legislators.

Make primary focus rulemaking to implement the CPD standards and begin revenue development; and on updating rules impacting licensing, license renewal for emeritus, telepsychology, complaints, etc. to improve functionality and liability.

Focus on organizational structure to address both immediate and long-term viability and employee retention. Continue to explore financially sustainable options for technology to be utilized in the application and renewal process which may either counter (or reduce) the cost of employees, workload, and related expenses for processing applications, and/or counter (or reduce) the cost of real-estate needed to store paper files.

Consider setting a goal to achieve and maintain a reserve balance to cover deferred liability plus unexpected expenses (e.g., hearing costs, lawsuits, major technology developments, moving) plus 3-6 months of operating expenses. Consider creating guidelines for Board approval to tap your reserve and then rebuild that amount.

8. Liaison to Professional Organizations – Dr. Moore reported that she attended ASPPB’s Planning Committee for the upcoming Midyear Meeting scheduled to occur in New Orleans. Due to her confidentiality agreement with ASPPB, the details could not be reported. However, she stated that her first meeting enabled a better understanding for the confidentiality agreement, given the committee reviewed feedback and evaluations from prior conferences and this information is not available to the public.

[Discussion Items] 3. Declaration of Competencies – Dr. Sam presented a recommendation and a draft for board consideration to revise the Declaration of Competencies, as previously discussed in November 2021. The draft included a question that would enable the candidate to declare competence to provide telepsychology and enable the examining members to explore an individual’s understanding and limitations in utilizing this service delivery modality. The Board discussed the preferred structure and by motion of Dr. Moore, adopted the revised format for the Declaration of Competencies by unanimous roll call vote of the members present as follows: In favor: (5) Gibson, Gormanous, Moore, Harness, Sam; Against: (0); Abstained: (0); Absent: (1) McNeely.

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Article archive / March 2022

Originally published: March 2022. Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 6.

The Southeastern Psychological Association will hold is 68th Annual Meeting March 23-26 at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

From the University of Louisiana Lafayette, Taylar Johnson, & Dr. Manyu Li, will present, "Fandom Communities’ Engagement in Black Lives Matters Digital Activism: A Study of Intragroup Processes."

Taylar Johnson, an undergraduate student and a McNair Scholar at the Psychology Department of UL Lafayette, conducted the study under the supervision of Dr. Manyu Li, Assistant Professor in the department. Taylar is the finalist of CEPO Student Award for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) research at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association.

The study examined digital activism among a global KPop fandom group. From May to June 2020, fans of the most influential Kpop band, “BTS A.R.M.Y” tweeted extensively to bring the artists' and the fans' attention to the Black Lives Matter (BLM). Their tweets successfully led to more than $2 million donated to the BLM campaign.

This study employed intragroup process theories within social psychology to understand how fans interacted to promote the success of the digital activism. A total of 2,132 tweets were retrieved and analyzed using content analysis performed by three human coders and a computerized method of automated text analysis.

Main findings included: Although close to one-fifth of the tweets showed disapproval of the movement and showed concerns of violation of group norms and group cohesion, more than half of the tweets expressed sense of solidarity, pointing out injustices, and calling for actions.

Self-identified Black members played a significant role in the success of the activism. One strategy was the use of "we" instead of "I" in many of the tweets made by these members, appealing to the group entity and avoiding subjectivity and singling out “I."

The study found that Black A.R.M.Y voices were eventually heard and recognized by mutual effort of Black members and global members who tweet about the needs for justice.

Dr. Manyu Li's research spans the areas of social, community, and cross-cultural psychology, including the topic of place attachment, or the psychology connections that people form with specific places. She is also interested in cross-cultural studies of migration and immigration. Dr. Manyu Li is a recipient of the 2020 Outstanding Master’s Mentor Award, director of the DAISO Lab, and Associate Editor of Current Psychology.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / March 2022

Originally published: March 2022. Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 8.

Representative Frieman has introduced HB 56 repeals provisions regarding the creation and composition of the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council.

The present law provides that the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council is created within the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC). The council shall consist of 17 members. One member is a representative of the La. Psychological Association. HB 156 repeals present law.

The present law provides that to the extent practicable, every organization or entity that provides nominations to the council shall strive for diversity in its appointments on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, and geography.

The current law also provides that the council shall monitor and, at least 30 days prior to the convening of the regular session of the legislature, report to the governor and the legislature on the implementation and administration of present law and make specific recommendations.

Present law provides that the council shall review and make recommendations to the governor, through LWC, on any proposed rules affecting the administration or resolution of claims provided for in present law.

Among other provisions, present law provides that no member of the council acting within the scope of his official functions and duties shall be held individually liable for a policy recommendation or policy action by the council, unless damage or injury is caused by the member's willful or wanton misconduct.

Present law provides that the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council is transferred to and shall be within LWC.

The proposed law repeals present law.

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Article archive / February 2022

Originally published: February 2022. Volume 13, No. 2. Source pages: 5.

From the Minutes Selected Items from Nov. 2021 Minutes of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP)

NOVEMBER Finance Committee – Ms. Monic presented a Financial Report prepared for the period 10/1/2021 – 10/31/2021 as follows: […] Income: Renewal $258,290 […] 87.2% of the budgeted amount has been collected. This category includes renewal of assistants to psychologists, projected to be $5000 which was not been implemented as projected. The number of licenses lapsed this period also impacted this amount. However, we have collected 2.5% more than the previous FY. Line Item Expense: Compliance Officer This position is currently vacant. The Board was required to pay out annual leave on resignation of this position so it is higher than previous years. A leave payout may be reimbursed by another state agency for unused leave on return to state service. Additionally, it is projected this line item will come in underbudget since the position is currently unfilled. Legislative Oversight Committee – Dr. Gormanous reported that the 2022 Regular Legislative session was approaching and if changes to the practice act needed to be considered, now is the time to begin collaborating with associations. Dr. Gormanous suggested that the Board look at what other state boards are doing and give consideration to removing the “oath” required in attesting U.S. Citizenship during the application process since it would have impacts on the ability to facilitate an online application. Mr. McNeely stated that legislators would not be limited to the number of bills they could propose during the upcoming session and that redistricting would be a primary focus of the session. Staff Development: Administrative Assistant Position – The Board discussed salary and posting for this position. Additional staffing issues were discussed including the unfilled unclassified position for an in-house attorney. Mr. McNeely reminded the board of the intent to create the position was to implement cost control which is better managed through employment rather than contracts. The Board discussed the viability of retaining an attorney for the currently budgeted amount. Dr. Gormanous moved in favor of budgeting $40K for the Administrative Assistant Position and posting for a position that seeks qualified individuals that can be utilized as an operations person. It was also moved that the Board post for the in-house attorney position at 60K, but for budgeting purposes leave funding for the attorney position under the contract attorney position. If and when the board has a viable candidate to fill the unclassified position for an in- house attorney, the Board will reconsider its budget to allocate funds from the contract attorney position toward a salaried position. The Board discussed the motion. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote of the members present as follows: In favor: (5) Gormanous, Gibson, Moore, Harness, Sam; Against: (0); Abstained: (0); Absent: (1) McNeely. Legal Opinion Regarding Supervision by Medical Psychologists – The Board discussed this matter to resolve concerns in Pre-approving Supervised Practice Plans and issuing Provisional License to Applicants for Licensure who are under the supervision of Medical Psychologists who are not licensed with LSBEP. Following consultation with legal counsel certain statutes were identified that appear to conflict with rules and previously issued opinions. The statutory provision in question RS 37:1360.55(A)(1) and (B)(1) which states clearly that a medical psychologist can only receive a medical psychology license from the “board” (LSBME as defined in 37:1360.52(1)) if they hold a “current and unrestricted license in good standing to practice psychology issued by the LSBEP.”; and 37:1360.58 which requires that a renewal of the license for a medical psychologist meet the “qualifications provided in this Part” (i.e., have a current license with the LSBEP). Following discussion and guidance from LSBEP Attorney Amy Groves Lowe, the Board determined that LSBEP cannot pre-approve a plan of supervision or issue a provisional license to an applicant whose supervisor is not regulated by LSBEP. However, the determination raised more complex questions that potentially impact LSBEP’s ability to pre-approve supervision, issue provisional licenses, as well as perform other regulatory functions. Recognizing the potential impacts, Dr. Gormanous moved that the Board authorize the following course of action: 1) have the Chair and/or Executive Director reach out to LAMP’s Liaison to summarize the issues; 2) request a collaborative meeting of stakeholders including representatives from LSBEP, LSBME, LPA and LAMP; and 3) report findings and recommendations to the LSBEP on changes to regulations or opinions, if any are needed. The Board discussed the motion. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote of the members present as follows: In favor: (5) Gormanous, Gibson, Moore, Harness, Sam; Against: (0); Abstained: (0); Absent: (1) McNeely.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / February 2022

Originally published: February 2022. Volume 13, No. 2. Source pages: 10.

The Southeastern Psychological Association will hold is 68th Annual Meeting March 23-26 at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Among those presenting from the Louisiana, Taylor Standberry & Dr. Erin Dupuis (Faculty Sponsor), from Loyola University will present, "The Association Between Online Gaming Relationships, Social Support, and the COVID- 19 Pandemic." Adrian Ridley & Erin Dupuis (Faculty Sponsor), Loyola University, will present, "The Relation Between Differing Kinds of Fear and Compassion." Dr. Dupuis has presented and published research in the areas of religious beliefs, illusory judgments of control and prediction, attributions of responsibility for acquaintance rape, perceived social support in massive online gaming, and other social attitudes. In 2016, Dr. Dupuis received the Excellence in Community Engaged Teaching Award from Loyola. Kelsey Coulthard, Kristen Hollas, & Dr. Mary Lou Kelley, from Louisiana State University, will present, "Coping Behavior Across Adults and Genders." Kristen Hollas, Kelsey Coulthard, & Dr. Mary Lou Kelley, Louisiana State University, will also present, "Posttraumatic Stress and Familial Support on College Students’ Academic Achievement." Dr. Kelley's research has focused on the behavioral assessment and treatment of children and adolescents. Topics of interest have included ADHD, home and school interventions for children with externalizing problems, and the psychological effects of violence exposure. She has been involved in the development of several assessment measures for the child and adolescent population. From the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Taylar Johnson, & Dr. Manyu Li, "Fandom Communities’ Engagement in Black Lives Matters Digital Activism: A Study of Intragroup Processes." Dr. Manyu Li's research spans the areas of social, community, and cross-cultural psychology, including the topic of place attachment, or the psychology connections that people form with specific places. She is also interested in cross-cultural studies of migration and immigration. Dr. Manyu Li is a recipient of the 2020 Outstanding Master’s Mentor Award. Presenting "Cross-Cultural Dyads and Accent in Psychotherapy.," will be Sebastian Del Corral Winder, Louisiana State University, Kiriana Sanchez, Samantha Gray, & Mixalis Poulakis, University of Indianapolis. And presenting, "Providing Full Scale DBT to Autistic Adolescents: Neurodiversity Affirming Multifamily DBT, A Case Series," will be Erynne Shatto, Austin Peay State University, Alexandra Lee, Louisiana State University, & Kristyn Troyer, Seaport Psychological Consortium.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / February 2022

Originally published: February 2022. Volume 13, No. 2. Source pages: 11.

In Louisiana, where the 2020 median household income was $50,935 (Statistica), a full child custody evaluation meeting the model standards of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) is out of reach of most families. Equally pressing, there are very few professionals in the state willing or able to provide them. Many parishes have no evaluators, and judges and attorneys are sending families from all over the state for evaluations to a handful of professionals. Determining “the best interest of the child” after parents separate is often a difficult task. The MMPI results are often considered in a full child custody evaluation, but adversarial attorneys weaponized the full report to focus on pathologies, and the mental health professional was often called as an expert witness in a war of parent-bashing which had nothing to do with the best interest of anybody, especially the child. No wonder most professionals stayed away from forensic work. One less expensive alternative is to “catch the family upstream.” Courts should use mental health professionals early in the separation process, before litigation is even possible. Using problem-solving approaches instead of adversarial ones, courts could triage cases into the appropriate resolution approach and facilitate resolution by using unbundled volunteer attorneys, mediators and settlement judges. Courts can resolve 80% of contested divorce and custody cases with this early intervention as shown by Stacey Marz, in “Faster and as Satisfying: An Evaluation of Alaska’s Early Resolution Triage Program,” Family Court Review. Also, courts can employ mental health professionals within the Court (as with the parenting coordinators in the 22nd JDC (St. Tammany Parish). However, according to Family Court Judge Patti Oppenheim (22nd JDC), there is still a tremendous shortage of parenting coordinators and custody evaluators in agencies or private practice. But more appealing to most psychologists, LCSWs, and LPCs is to provide a "Honda" version of a child custody evaluation which focuses on psychosocial, not legal issues and remains realistic regarding the resources at hand. In 2007, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts created a Task Force to craft and publish Guidelines for Brief Focused Assessment (BFA). The BFA is meant to be a much more narrowly focused assessment of “parenting time and responsibility” disputes. THE BFA also helps the problems of access to services and costs.

Benjamin Garber, author of Developmental Psychology for Family Law Professionals: Theory, Application and The Best Interests of the Child, stresses, ”Family law questions are about relationships, not individuals. They are about dynamics, not diagnoses.” This speaks to our professional ethics and plays to our strengths: to help families––not add to their distress––by using our knowledge of attachment theory, family systems, developmental needs of individuals and families, and parenting competencies rather than intrapsychic data.

The difference between a full-scale child custody evaluation (CCE) and a BFA is that the brief model requires a narrow focus of inquiry. Judges can ask psychologists and other mental health professionals to focus on problems such as: • Is it advisable for children to move with one parent out of state? • Is it in a child’s best interest to be introduced to a heretofore uninvolved parent? • Should a parenting plan be changed from a 50/50 arrangement to some other time- sharing arrangement? By focusing on parenting competencies and relationship strengths and deficits, mental health professionals can answer these questions without relying on psychological testing. The briefer model requires fewer hours of interviews and therefore costs less. It is still a multifactorial approach but avoids pathologizing individuals, emphasizing instead parenting attunement and skills and children’s qualitative experiences with parents. A good example of a practical BFA model comes from LaCrosse County Wisconsin, where Family Court employs an assessment team which renders an assessment based on state statutes and Dr. Bruce Perry’s Six Core Strengths: attachment, attunement, self- regulation, affiliation, tolerance and respect. (Personal communication with Program Manager, Lisa Goings Stablier, 1/15/22). This would be an excellent model for Louisiana practitioners to adopt. It speaks perfectly to the skills of social workers and LPCs who have knowledge of genograms, attachment issues, and family systems and who might previously have believed that forensic evaluations were beyond their expertise. A Brief Focused Assessment is appropriate for many Louisiana families because it is a Honda, not a Lamborghini: practical, reliable, and within budget. And the AFCC will release a 2022 update of the 2006 Model Standards of Practice for Child Custody Evaluation later this year. Anyone providing a BFA should of course be fully trained in child custody assessment. For the first time, the AFCC will offer a live webinar program: “The Fundamentals of Conducting Child Custody Evaluations,” March 15- 17 and March 23-35. The training team consists of four nationally-acclaimed experts: Robin Deutsch, PhD, ABPP, April Harris-Britt, PhD, Sol P. Rappaport, PhD, ABPP, and Arnold T. Shienvold, PhD. On February 8, I will also be offering a one-hour webinar for AFCC illustrating the short model I’ve used for many years. Those interested, can find more information about these training opportunities at www.afccnet.org

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.