Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 7. Source pages: 15.
The first meeting of the School Specialist Task Force was held June 28 at the state psychology board in Baton Rouge.
The group began work on a survey that will guide them in certain areas. Task force chair, Dr. Rita Culross told the Times, “The purpose of the survey is to seek input from school psychologists certified through the State Department of Education and psychologists licensed through LSBEP [Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists] on the possible regulation of school specialists through LSBEP.”
Dr. Carmen Broussard (L) and Dr. Conni Patterson discuss ideas at the recent meeting of the LSBEP task force to study the possible regulation of specialists in school psychology. Broussard is an associate professor at Nicholls and Patterson is a professor at Tulane.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 6. Source pages: 5.
Rep. Marcelle's HB 353 Set for Senate Education Committee
HB 353 by Rep. Marcelle passed the House, 93 to 6 and is scheduled for the Senate Ed Committee. It provides relative to student behavior, discipline, and behavioral and mental health and is pending in the House Education Committee.
The proposed law adds that a student may be absent for up to three days in any school year related to the student's mental or behavioral health, that such absences shall not require a certification in writing in order to be excused, that the child may make up missed school work, and that the child shall be referred to school support personnel following the second day of absence. Proposed law requires DOE to develop and administer a pilot program for the purpose of implementing ACEs screening, to select three school systems to participate in the program, and consult with experts in the fields of mental health, behavioral health, and trauma-informed restorative services in developing and administering the program.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 6. Source pages: 5.
HB 181 by Rep. DeVillier is set for final passage in the Senate. It was heard in committee, amended and voted favorably. House Floor vote was 94 to 0. HB 181 will allow coroners, deputy coroners, and assistant coroners to execute an emergency certificate via actual examination or telemedicine examination and establishes provisions for such persons.
HB 181 provides that the actual examination of the person may be conducted by any medical professional listed in proposed law, including coroners, deputy coroners, and assistant coroners, via telemedicine.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 6. Source pages: 5.
From the Minutes Selected Items from Jan '23 Minutes of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP)
Thursday, January 19, 2023 and Friday, January 20, 2023 FINAL APPROVED: April 21, 2023 Finally published May 8, 2023 […] d. Job description for Executive Counsel (In House/Prosecuting) – The Board reviewed and discussed updating the policy to include a Job Description for Executive Counsel. Dr. Moore moved in favor of adopting an update to the Board’s Policy and Procedures to include a job description for Executive Counsel as follow: […] 1. facilitate disciplinary and compliance procedures by coordinating with the Board Investigator, Complaints Coordinator, Board Member and/or other appropriate staff/board members in the investigation of alleged or suspected misconduct by licensees, applicants for licensure, and/or others 2. facilitate the negotiation of settlement terms for Impaired Psychologist Procedure Agreements and Consents Orders and prosecute all administrative matters which go before the Board for adjudication 3. monitor the status of pending investigations and complaints and compliance with Impaired Psychologist Procedure Agreements and Consent Orders 4. initiate or facilitate the initiation of an Administrative Complaint on behalf of the Board and/or sign an Administrative Complaint […]
DAY 2: LONG RANGE PLANNING January 20, 2023 9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. The Board received a presentation from representatives of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) including Dr. Mariann Burnetti-Atwell (ASPPB Chief Executive Officer) who spoke to ASPPB’s role being to have jurisdictions be self-guided, Dr. Matthew Turner (ASPPB Former Director of Examination Services) )who presented a Power Point on test development, validation process as per Standards, Sharpless studies on differential pass rates, etc., and introduction to Dr. Hao Song (ASPPB Associate Executive Officer of Examinations Services), who spoke regarding the validity and other issues concerning the EPPP (Part I and Part II). This presentation was conducted at the request of the Board in response to the decision by ASPPB to define the EPPP as one examination with 2 parts, forcing LSBEP to consider its current procedures for assessing both knowledge and skill. Following the presentation, the Board asked questions of the presenters regarding the examination, validity, logistics of registration across jurisdictions, timing for admission to the examination.
GENERAL DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: […] c. Letter from ethics attorney – Dr. Gormanous reported that an answer to the request for an Advisory Opinion from the Ethics Board, Docket No. 2022-747 had been received. Dr. Gormanous shared documentation that the letter was sent to his home address. Further that the conclusion was that the Code does not require the LSBEP or its members to disclose waiver of registration fees for attendance at ASPPB.
e. ATAP Administering select projective test if adequately trained – The Board discussed the proposed language, specifically under LAC46:LXIII.1105.C. to address concerns posed by licensee’s that the section would restrict test instruments like the “Draw-A-Person” (classified as a projective test measure), which some ATAPs are currently administering. Dr. Moore stated that it is her opinion that when the full context of the section is considered, the section does not prohibit the administration of tests such as the “Draw-A-Person” or similar projective tests as long as a measure has a standardized method for administration and scoring. Dr. Sam agreed this was her view also and stated her understanding of the intent of the section is to restrict the global use of projective measures and ensure the licensed psychologist understands that it remains their judgment of what can be done and by whom under their license; measures which do not have “specific predetermined and manualized administrative procedures, and which entail behavioral observations, and/or recording test responses” would not include Draw-A-Person nor similar projective measures; and further, that the decisions made related to test selection are at the discretion of and responsibility of the licensed psychologist who should be competent in all measures considered. […] b. LONG RANGE PLANNING DISCUSSION: i. Masters Level License/Credentialing – The Board discussed this topic taking into considerationthe steps being taken by the American Psychological Association to begin accrediting masters level psychology programs. Mr. McNeely moved that staff study best practices and licensing considerations related to master’s level licensing in North America and seek input and resources from any relevant organizations, staff and experts as staff deems fit. Following opportunity for discussion, the motion was put to a vote. The motion passed by unanimous roll-call vote as follows: In favor: (6) Gormanous, Moore, McNeely, Harness, Sam and Holcomb; Against: (0); Abstained: (0); Absent: (0). Action: Monic organize workgroup to begin compiling data for Board consideration. […]
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 6. Source pages: 15.
10 Years Ago … What The Psychology Times was reporting on in June 2013
BA Bill Passes
Senator J. P. Morrell’s SB 134 to establish an independent board for
Behavior Analysts completed its journey through the Senate and passed the House on May 28, headed for the Governor.
The bill provides for the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board within the Department of Health and Hospitals and authorizes enforcement of the requirement for licensure, state certification, and registration, beginning December 31, 2013.The law also sets out the procedures and standards for the licensing of Behavior Analysts, certification Assistant Behavior Analysts, and registration of line technicians. Fees are $400 for license, $250 for certification, and $50 for registration.
Tulane’s Dr. Ruscher Chairs
Another Hit Convention for APS
For the third time, Tulane’s Dr. Janet Ruscher has pulled off a
major success as the Committee Chair of the Association for Psychological Science Convention, that just wrapped up last month in Washington, D.C.
“The conference was a terrific success,” she told the Times, “– great energy, record attendance, excellent balance across the programs.” She might be getting good at this. Dr. Ruscher also chaired the convention for the growing organization in 2003 and 2004.
Dr. Tramontana Named LPA
2013 Distinguished Psychologist
Louisiana Psychological Association has named Dr. Joseph Tramontana as its 2013 Distinguished Psychologist. The award was announced at the annual convention on May 30 in Baton Rouge. Originally from New Orleans, Dr. Joseph Tramontana received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Mississippi.
Psychology Gumbo
COMMENT: Dr. Emily Sandoz, University of Louisiana–
Lafayette, and Director of the Louisiana Contextual Science Research Group. COMMENT: Dr. Elizabeth Anne Shirtcliff, University of New Orleans Professor, and Jeremy Peres, UNO graduate student. Functional
Assessment for
Challenging
Behaviors
Johnny L. Matson,
Editor
Autism and Child Psychopathology Series Springer Chafetz Presents for Social
Security Inspector General
New Orleans clinical neuropsychologist, Dr. Michael Chafetz, presented his research to members of the Inspector General’s Office of the Social Security Administration (SSA) on April 30, 2013. The event was hosted by the On-Line Academy of the Louisiana Psychological Association as a free presentation in the public interest.
Dr. Chafetz’s research was cited in a letter by Senator Thomas Coburn of Oklahoma, sent to the SSA this past March. Coburn is the U.S. Senator known for confronting government waste and inefficiency. In the March letter, he challenged the Social Security Administration’s anti-scientific approach to detecting faking in its disability claims. Coburn said that the potential for waste could reach $68 billion.
Task Force on School Psychology
Specialists to Meet June 28 in BR
The first meeting of the School Specialist Task Force is scheduled for June 28 according to a report by the state psychology board. […]
Members of the task force include Dr. Rita Culross, Professor at LSU, who will be the psychology board’s representative. Dr. Conni Patterson, Professor of Practice at Tulane University and past president of the Louisiana School Psychology Association will also serve.Dr. Steven Welsh will work on the task force. Dr. Welsh has been the Department head for the Department of Psychology and Counselor Education at Nicholls, and more recently, the interim Dean of the College of Education. Also included is Dr. Carmen Broussard, Associate Professor of Psychology at Nicholls.Susan Ratterree, the National Association of School Psychologists Delegate for the Louisiana School Psychological Association, will serve. And, E. Francoise Parr, current President of the Louisiana School Psychological Association, is also a member. Functional Assessment for Challenging Behaviors is a recent addition to Springer’s Autism and Child Psychopathology Series, edited and authored by Louisiana State University Professor and Distinguished Research Master, Dr. Johnny Matson. This newest text zeros in on the specific methods used in functional assessment, one of the most important approaches used in applied behavior analysis. In this 243-page volume, Matson and contributors, including LSU’s Max Horovitz, Alison Kozlowski and Megan Sipes, join a host of experts from around the country to give readers the most up-to-date information about functional analysis.
Photo Right: Louisiana Senator J.P. Morrell speaking at the recent psychology convention. Senator Morrell and wife Catherine took an active role in the legislation for regulation of behavior analysts.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 5. Source pages: 15.
10 Years Ago … What The Psychology Times was reporting on in May 2013
Researchers from Across State to
Present at APS Convention
Researchers from around the state will present their work in poster
sessions at the Association for Psychological Science 25th Annual Convention, to be held May 23 to 26, in Washington, DC. Undergraduates, graduate students, and professors in psychology from Centenary, LaTech, Loyola, Tulane, U. of Louisiana– Lafayette, U. of New Orleans, and Xavier University will demonstrate their research skill and contributions for what is becoming the premier scientific organization for those in psychology.The Times talked with Dr. Donna Thomas, Chair at Louisiana Tech […]
Dr. Kathy Steele Brings Multi-Cultural
Focus to Teaching, Counseling
Kathryn Steele recently returned from Havana, Cuba, where she helps train counselors in her role as Director and Professor of Counseling Professors Training Program for the Baptist Seminary there since 2009. The bilingual, associate professor from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, brings a diverse background and multi-cultural focus to all her duties, developed in part from over 20 years of missionary work in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Dr. Susan Andrews Earns
Gold for Stress Solutions
Dr. Susan Andrews has won the
Gold Award in her category from Independent Publishers Book Awards. She received the Gold award last month in the Parenting book category for her Stress Solutions for Pregnant Moms: How Breaking Fee form Stress Can boost Your Baby’s Potential, independently published by Twin Span Press. The Independent Publisher Book Awards have been conducted annually to honor each year’s best independently published titles. “The ‘IPPY’ Awards reward those who exhibit the courage, innovation, and creativity to bring about change in the world of publishing.” Behavior Analyst Bill
Sails Through Senate
While Senate Bill 134 for the creation of a new, independent
board for behavioral analysts needed tweaking to the tune of 37 amendments, most minor, it was passed favorably out of committee and easily passed the full Senate on Monday with a vote of 30 to 1.
Janice Huber, Certified Behavior Analyst and Secretary for the Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association (LaBAA), told the Times, “We endorse SB 134 as is currently written and are encouraged by it's legislative support and progress.”
The bill will create an independent board for behavior analysts and also regulate assistant behavior analysts and technicians, who will register with the board.
Mental Health Courts – HB 71
Passes Easily
A bill by Senator Sharon Broome of Baton Rouge passed the Senate floor with a vote of 35 to 0 and was sent to the House on Monday, April 29.
The legislation will authorize mental health court treatment programs in the state, allowing the chief judge of each judicial district to establish a mental health court. The bill defines terms related to the mental health court treatment programs, mental health court professionals, pre- and post- adjudicatory programs, combination programs, and co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse issues. Senator Mills 'Resolution– Commends the LA Coalition for Violence Prevention
Senator Fred Mills, from New Iberia, offered a Senate Concurrent Resolution commending the Louisiana Coalition for Violence Prevention for its efforts to help improve the early detection of those at risk for interpersonal violence in the state. Cindy Nardini, steering committee member of the Coalition, noted, “I appreciate the time, assistance, and understanding that Senator Mills gave in the process of obtaining this resolution. He supported the idea and mission from our very first meeting. This resolution will aid in spreading the word about the coalition and our mission to reduce violence in Louisiana.”
Drs. Darlyne Nemeth, Kelly Ray, Organize
Conference
In Ecopsychology for WCP The U.S. Chapter of the World Council on Psycho-therapy (WCP) held a symposium featuring Thomas Doherty, PsyD, ecopsychologist, as part of the it’s annual meeting, March 22, 2013, in Baton Rouge. Dr. Darlyne Nemeth and Dr. Kelly Ray organized the training experience that focused on environmental trauma.
North Louisiana Behavioral & Social
Sciences Conference Held at LaTech
The Counseling Psychology Doctoral Student Organization (CPDSO) of Louisiana Tech University hosted a conference April 26 and 27, named the North Louisiana Behavioral & Social Sciences Conference.
“We are so proud of our students for providing a regional venue to highlight the knowledge base and research opportunities in Louisiana and nearby states,” Dr. Thomas said.
Louisiana Tech Assistant Professor Dr. Janelle McDaniel (L) and graduate student Victoria Felix look over their research team’s poster to present at the Association for Psychological Science in Washington, DC. (Photo by B. Waters)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 5. Source pages: 2.
Mother's Day by J. Nelson
I was recently contacted by an organization of women in journalism who wanted me to join. From their pitch, they intend to engage in political advocacy. I declined of course, but it got me thinking about the fading purity of values, especially in the field of journalism.
My mother and father both earned LSU journalism degrees and after they died I inherited a marvelously helpful introductory textbook, Exploring Journalism, by Wolseley and Campbell. This 1943 time- machine of a book captures part of the golden age of the Press in the US. The authors even have a section titled, “Reporters as psychologists,” where they say, “Good reporters are good social and applied psychologists.”
By happy luck, I discovered that my mother, ordinarily reluctant to express her ideas (or just overshadowed by my extraverted father), had scribbled her thoughts in the margins. So I was given the chance, like a message in a bottle, to understand just a bit about what she thought about being a good journalist. She jotted down these necessary traits for the career: “… good English, resourceful, aggressive, spelling, accurate observer, knowledge and grasp of the English language, interest in people, visual senses, ability to stand your convictions, mental physical stamina, clear thinking, seeker after truth.”
She wrote, “not a moneymaking profession particularly,” and would be “…a lot of hard work,” which obviously did not scare her off. She put a big check by the section on small, weekly papers.
Wolseley and Campbell did not scare her off either with their candid section on, “Women in journalism,” since she placed a big checkmark by that, also.
"Young women interested in journalism often receive little encouragement," they wrote. "If they are realists, they will note that the fourth estate is a man’s world" and, "a woman usually has to be much abler than a man to succeed.”
Wolseley and Campbell also wrote––“Promotion of any private interest contrary to the general welfare for whatever reason is not compatible with honest journalism. Partisanship and editorial comment which knowingly departs from the truth does violence to the best spirit of American journalism.”
I am persuaded that journalists of this type are increasingly a thing of the past. But my mother, and my father, were a couple of real McCoys.
My mother responded to the national climate during WWII, by moving to Washington DC and working in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Chaplain's Division, Pentagon. At the end of the war, she returned home to study at LSU, and settled down with my father to publish the Coushatta Citizen. While raising a family, she helped build the Citizen into a publication of journalistic excellence and social conscience when it was thrust into the national spotlight during the Civil Rights era in the 60s.
My mother was a quiet, intelligent and steadying force behind her challenging husband. She helped Dad write the catalytic editorial, "Against the Fall of Night," that confronted the Klan's secretive strategies in Red River Parish, and set off a train of events, including involvement of the FBI and threats to the Nelson family. These journalistic efforts culminated in the Citizen winning the Louisiana Press Association's first place award for Freedom of Information over several years, as well as a national second place, and an informal Honorable Mention from the Pulitzer Prize panel.
Loyal–and tolerant–my mother possessed a patient, gentle wisdom that she expressed quietly to those who knew her well. She was the wind beneath my father's wings, a real woman in journalism.
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 5. Source pages: 4.
by Roger Dunaway Tulane News
Anita Raj, PhD, a distinguished scholar and research scientist trained in developmental psychology and public health with a multi- disciplinary research focus on gender equity in global health and development, has accepted the appointment as the new executive director of Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute, effective July 1, 2023.
A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Raj comes to Tulane from the University of California San Diego, where she is an inaugural Tata Chancellor Professor of Society and Health and founding director of the Center on Gender, Equity and Health. She holds joint faculty appointments in the School of Medicine and School of Social Sciences.
Her research, including epidemiologic and intervention studies, focuses on sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, women’s empowerment and gender inequalities, including gender-based violence and child marriage. Raj has approximately 300 peer-reviewed publications. Her work has been featured in major media outlets in the United States, the United Kingdom and India.
“I look forward to connecting with the students, faculty, the local community and our alumni to learn what issues they want to see Newcomb address in our changing world.”
In a joint message announcing the appointment, Tulane President Michael A. Fitts and Provost Robin Forman hailed Raj as an innovative leader, author, researcher and voice for racial and gender inequalities, violence prevention and public health initiatives. Raj will also serve as the Nancy Reeves Dreux Endowed Chair at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
“I could not be more thrilled to be at Newcomb. It is like coming home,” said Raj, who enrolled in Newcomb College as a 16- year-old student in 1987 before earning a bachelor’s degree in biology from Mississippi College in 1991. “We are already planning new cross-campus collaborative research focused on violence and mental health in Louisiana. I look forward to connecting with the students, faculty, the local community and our alumni to learn what issues they want to see Newcomb address in our changing world.”
At UCSD Raj created and led the EMERGE platform, which provides open access to evidence-based measures on gender equality and empowerment for tracking progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 5, one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015 as part of its “blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.” She also created and led the California Study on Violent Experiences (CalVEX), which involves state-wide survey research and supportive qualitative data on violence and health in California. She will be bringing this work to the Newcomb Institute and expanding its focus to Louisiana.
Raj has served as an advisor to UN Women, a United Nations entity working for gender equality and the empowerment of women. She has also served as an advisor for UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the David and Lucille Packard Foundation. She spoke at the UN General Assembly on the issue of child marriage and serves as advisor and grantee to Blue Shield of California Foundation and Kaiser Permanente on matters of social and health policies for California, based on the work of CalVEX.
Recognized as a top leader in research on women and girls’ empowerment for achievement of global and national health and development, Raj helped spearhead two groundbreaking journal special issues on Gender Equality and Health in 2019 for the Lancet and for Social Science and Medicine-Population Health. She is currently co-leading, with scholars from the National Institutes of Health, a special issue of Social Science and Medicine on structural sexism and health. Raj is also co-chair of the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s pioneering committee on Women’s Empowerment, Population Dynamics and Socioeconomic Development.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 5. Source pages: 5.
From the Minutes Selected Items from Agenda of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP)
The Louisiana State Board of examiners of psychologist posted their agenda on April 20 for their April 21 quarterly meeting. Beginning in January 2023, LSBEP moved to a quarterly meeting schedule. Minutes for their January meeting have not yet been posted.
The board approved temporary licenses and also supervision plans. They also approved candidates to sit for the exam and also the oral exam. The board also intendedto discuss complaints and disciplinary actions and also legislative matters.
Other topics listed in their agenda for the April meeting include the following:
1. LSBEP Election Results for the Seat 2023-2028/report to the Louisiana Psychological Association 2. La State Archives: Records Retention Schedule Renewal – Recommendations for revisions (JM) 3. POLICY DISCUSSION: a. Review and discuss current Board Meeting Schedule including impacts on application workflows and licensing b. Plan & vote on Awards recognition c. Next meeting dates and location d. Committee Delegations under quarterly meeting schedule e. Scheduling Procedures for Oral Examinations and Committee Meetings f. Election Policy Review g. PPM 49 – Travel Policy/Exemption Request: Denied h. Special Meals (including working lunches) – Delegation Required i. Accept/Discuss ethics Attorney Letter: ASPPB CE’s for Board Members 4. Continuing Professional Development: a. Applications for Licensee CPD Preapproval and Sponsor Activity Approval b. Approve training video/credit for licensees. c. Delegated Authority for Review and approval of applications for Reinstatement. 5. Application for Licensure form, workflow questions: a. Reciprocity b. Doctoral Program 6. 2023-24 Contract Review a. COMPLAINTS COORDINATOR 2 – Mark P. Vigen, Ph.D. b. INVESTIGATOR – Statewide Surveillance & Investigation, LLC (Tony McCoy/Henry Richardson) […] 7. 2023 Regular Legislative Session a. Bills Impacting Practice/Regulation b. Bills Impacting Agency c. LSBEP Proposed Legislation 8. LDH – OCDD: Request for exceptions to Registration of Assistants. 9. La Department of Education – Recertification of School Psychologists 10. Masters Level Licensure (TSam): a. APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major (Aug 2013) b. APA Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology: Master’s Programs (Feb 2021); c. APA Principles for Quality Undergraduate Education in Psychology (Feb 2023)d. APA Master’s Work Group and the CoA webpage 11. 2023 Regulatory Update and Training for Licensees a. Part I: Continuing Professional Development b. Part II: Registration of Assistants c. Part III: Supervision Toward Licensure/Telesupervision
Dr. Greg Gormanous, current Chair of LSBEP, center, at a past meeting. Dr. Darlyne Nemeth is left and Dr. Jessee Lambert is right, in the photo.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 5. Source pages: 7.
HB 348 by Rep. Jenkins Pending House Education Committee
HB 348 by Rep. Jenkins is still pending in the House Education Committee. HB 348 revises procedures for the reporting and investigation of threats of terrorism or violence at schools.
Present law requires each public school governing authority to adopt a policy for the investigation of threats of violence or terrorism. The present law requires school employees who learn of a threat of violence or threat of terrorism to immediately report the threat: (1) To a local law enforcement agency if the threat is credible and imminent. (2) To the school administrator if the threat does not meet that threshold.
HB 348 instead requires employees to report all threats to law enforcement and to the administrator (if the employee is not the administrator). Requires the administrator, immediately upon being informed of the threat, to inform persons who are targets of the threat and take all necessary measures to protect their life and safety.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 5. Source pages: 7.
HB 181 by Rep. DeVillier was heard in committee on April 20 and voted favorably, 14 to 0. House Floor vote is scheduled for May 3. HB 181 will allow coroners, deputy coroners, and assistant coroners to execute an emergency certificate via actual examination or telemedicine examination and establishes provisions for such persons.
The present law provides that certain healthcare professionals, licensed or permitted in accordance with present law, may execute an emergency certificate only after an actual examination of a person, who is alleged to have a mental illness or be suffering from a substance-related or addictive disorder and, after the determination made by the healthcare professional, is considered to need immediate care and treatment in a treatment facility.
HB 181 provides that the actual examination of the person may be conducted by any medical professional listed in proposed law, including coroners, deputy coroners, and assistant coroners, via telemedicine.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 5. Source pages: 8.
Rep. Selders' Bill to Prohibit Death Penalty for Those Mentally Ill Fails
Rep. Selders filed a bill which prohibits the death penalty from being imposed upon any person with a severe mental illness, HB 328.
The measure was heard in the Committee on Criminal Justice on April 26. A motion to report as amended failed, with five yeas and nine nays.
Present law prohibits the death penalty from being imposed upon any person with an intellectual disability and provides for definitions and procedures to be followed after a capital defendant claims to have an intellectual disability. (b) Exercise rational judgment in relation to his conduct. (c) Conform his conduct to the requirements of the law.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 5. Source pages: 8.
Representative Boyd's HB 175 to prohibit the carrying of firearms into hospitals, mental health facilities, or community health centers with exceptions for employees with concealed handgun permits and security officers, is pending in committee.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 5. Source pages: 8.
Rep. Marcelle's HB 353 Still Pending in House Ed Committee
HB 353 by Rep. Marcelle provides relative to student behavior, discipline, and behavioral and mental health and is pending in the House Education Committee.
The proposed law adds that a student may be absent for up to three days in any school year related to the student's mental or behavioral health, that such absences shall not require a certification in writing in order to be excused, that the child may make up missed school work, and that the child shall be referred to school support personnel following the second day of absence.
Present law requires instruction on mental health and lists the minimum information to be included. Proposed law adds the difference between mental and physical health and the management of stress and anxiety to the list.
Present law provides for in-service training for school employees on adverse childhood experiences (known as ACEs). Proposed law requires DOE to develop and administer a pilot program for the purpose of implementing ACEs screening, to select three school systems to participate in the program, and consult with experts in the fields of mental health, behavioral health, and trauma-informed restorative services in developing and administering the program.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 5. Source pages: 12.
Louisiana State University News service reported that the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education has named Dr. Laura Choate, currently the interim director of the LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education, as the next director of the school as of April first.
“Please join me in welcoming Laura Choate as the next director of the Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education. An outstanding scholar and adept leader, I know Dr. Choate will usher in an era of growth for our school,” said Dean Roland Mitchell. “One of the many challenges that faces all schools of education is the teacher pipeline crisis. I am excited to partner with Dr. Choate as we work to retain teachers and recruit more to the profession.”
Dr. Choate served as the interim director for the school since March 2022, said the announcement. The director oversees all academic programs – undergraduate, graduate and online – in the school. The LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education focuses on preparing highly qualified Birth-Grade 12 teachers, educational leaders, curriculum studies scholars, educational technology experts, applied researchers, higher education professionals, school counselors, and clinical mental health counselors. The school offers scholarly expertise regarding pressing educational and wellness issues across the entire lifespan, noted the announcement.
“I am honored and excited at the opportunity to step into this leadership role. With dedicated faculty, strong support from the dean’s office, and highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students, the school is uniquely poised to make a lasting impact as we prepare the next generation of teachers, leaders, researchers, and counseling professionals,” said Choate.
Choate, the Jo Ellen Levy Yates Endowed Professor, has been with the counselor education program at LSU since 1999. Her research interests include girls’ and women’s mental health, including depression and eating disorders.
She is the author of five books: Depression in Girls and Women Across the Lifespan: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals (Routledge, 2020); Swimming Upstream: Parenting Girls for Resilience in a Toxic Culture (Oxford University Press, 2015), Girls’ and Women’s Wellness: Contemporary Counseling Issues and Interventions (2008), Eating Disorders and Obesity: A Counselor’s Guide to Prevention and Treatment (edited), both published by the American Counseling Association, and Adolescent Girls in Distress: A Guide to Mental Health Treatment and Prevention (Springer Publications, 2013).
She was awarded the 2016 LSU Distinguished Faculty Award, 2014 College of Human Sciences & Education Distinguished Research Award and the 2012 ACA Best Practices Award for her work in the area of eating disorders treatment and prevention, said the announcement.
She served for 10 years on the board of the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners, serving two years as Board Chair and eight years as Discipline Committee Chair.
Dr. Laura Choate (LSU courtesy photo)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.