Article archive / October 2017

Originally published: October 2017. Volume 8, No. 10. Source pages: 6.

Ms. Monic reported that the Board’s total operating loss at the end of the 2016-17FY was -$167,976 (Total Revenues $272,783 less Operating Expenses $440,759). Given the Board’s net position at the beginning of the FY (-$216,841) the net position ending FY 2016-17 is -$384,767. Ms. Monic encouraged the Board members to continue actively pursuing the options for developing revenue sources as set for discussion on this days agenda.

Emeritus Status Rule – Dr. Griffin presented this topic noting that he would like to see the Board redevelop the Emeritus status as a true retired status where a psychologist is fully retired and therefore not required to report continuing education and required to pay a nominal fee to maintain. Dr. Henke moved to continue to establish such status as described by Dr. Griffin and begin rule making. The motion passed unanimously.

Inactive License Status – The Board agreed to continue to develop an inactive status and explore how this works in other jurisdictions.

LSBEP Review and Approval of Continuing Professional Development – The Board agreed to continue to explore the review and approval of continuing education.

Masters Level License – Dr. Henke elaborated on advantages to a Masters License being to increase mental health services to rural populations noting that it would be challenging separating the doctoral scope of practice from the masters level scope of practice. Dr. Henke noted that the American Psychological Association is moving in the direction of supporting Masters Level licenses.

Registration of Assistants to Psychologists – Dr. Griffin presented this topic to the Board. Dr. Henke moved to eliminate the proposed rule development that would require the registration of assistants to psychologists with the LSBEP. Dr. Henke’s motion passed by roll call vote as follows: Griffin – Abstained, Boggs – YEA, Lambert – YEA, Henke – YEA, Crouch – YEA.

Complaints Committee (Ad hoc Study Group)(JL) – Dr. Lambert proposed that the Ad hoc Study group be comprised of himself, a member of the Louisiana Psychological Association, Attorney Courtney P. Newton and Ms. Monic. The primary objective of the group will be to meet monthly for 4 months to review and examine the complaints process of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and report to the Board on potential revisions to the process.

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

Article archive / October 2017

Originally published: October 2017. Volume 8, No. 10. Source pages: 6.

The Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists has called for nominations for a 2018- 2023 seat on the state board for psychology. Nominations are open now and will close on November 1, according to an announcement from the Board’s Executive Director, Ms. Jaime Monic.

Application information can be found on the Board’s website and should be mailed to the Board’s office in Baton Rouge. Those applying will be reviewed at the upcoming long-range meeting in November.

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

Article archive / October 2017

Originally published: October 2017. Volume 8, No. 10. Source pages: 6.

Two Louisiana State University physicists working at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), Professor Rainer Weiss, Barry Barrish, in collaboration with Professor Kip Thorne from California, have earned the 2017 Nobel Prize. The team detected gravitational waves, a ripple in space–time, caused by colliding black holes, 1.3 billion light years away. Einstein predicted this in his theory of general relativity.

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

Article archive / October 2017

Originally published: October 2017. Volume 8, No. 10. Source pages: 11.

Dr. Dawley’s Film The Lost Homecoming Airs Oct 9 & 17 on PBS

Dr. Harold Dawley’s documentary, The Lost Homecoming–When Our Vietnam Veterans Came Home, will air October 9 at 11 pm and again on October 17 at 10 pm, on the New Orleans PBS channel WYES following the Ken Burns segment on the Vietnam War.

The Lost Homecoming tells the story of the Vietnam Veterans returning home to an apathetic or sometimes even hostile nation. “They were fighting in something the public didn’t support, and so they really felt defeated,” Dawley said to the Sun Herald. The documentary lays out the Veterans’ experiences and losses in a time when returning soldiers were more likely to be shunned than celebrated, and the impact that had on how they healed and reconnected with their communities.

“I’m hoping a large number of Vietnam veterans will see this and get satisfaction, and I hope this educates the public on the reception they received,” Dawley said.

Harold H. Dawley Jr., Ph.D., is a retired clinical psychologist, former self-help book publisher and business owner in Pass Christian, Missippippi. He spent twenty years on the staff of the New Orleans Veterans Affairs Medical Center where he served as Chief of the Psychiatry Service Day Hospital and Day Treatment programs.

During this period he also held clinical faculty appointments in the Department of Pathology at the Louisiana State University Medical School, the Department of Medicine and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at Tulane University School of Medicine, and an adjunct faculty appointment in the Department of Allied Sciences at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Recipient of the Outstanding Psychologist Award from the Louisiana Psychological Association and the Distinguished Service Award from the Division of Psychologists in Public Service of the American Psychological Association (APA) Dr. Dawley was elected a Fellow of the APA.

He is a Past President of the APA Division of Psychologists in Public Service and is also a Past President of the National Association of Veterans Affairs Psychologists. He also served three years in the Marine Corps before going to college and is the Commandant of the Marine Corps League Detachment in Diamondhead, Mississippi.

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

Article archive / October 2017

Originally published: October 2017. Volume 8, No. 10. Source pages: 12.

Position Announcement POSITION TITLE: Assistant Professor in Applied Developmental Psychology

POSITION #: 1916 DEPARTMENT: Psychology

POSITION SUMMARY: The psychology department at the University of New Orleans (UNO) is seeking applicants for one full- time tenure-track faculty position at the level of assistant professor. Recently recognized as the highest ranked Ph.D. program at the University of New Orleans, the psychology department has a group of energetic and highly productive faculty. The Department has two strong and unique Ph.D. programs: one in Applied Biological Psychology and one in Applied Developmental Psychology. There is a strong context of collaboration and integration across research labs, faculty, and the programs. More information on the department is available at http://www.uno.edu/cos/psychology/index.aspx.

We are particularly interested in developmental candidates with strong potential for externally funded research and whose area of research complements existing research programs in the department. Candidates with a developmental research emphasis or a developmental-biopsychology research emphasis studying the etiology, prevalence, onset, or trajectory of behaviors and stressors associated with childhood psychopathology are particularly encouraged to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Conduct programmatic research on the development of psychopathology, undergraduate and graduate teaching, supervision of graduate students, and service to the department, university and community.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in psychology; individuals trained in any area of developmental or biological psychology will be considered, as long as their research contributes to theories and/or applications related to psychopathology.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Expertise in clinical psychology, developmental psychology or childhood psychopathology, especially with translational research programs or interests.

SALARY: Commensurate with experience.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Applicants should email their vita, a statement of research interests and career goals, sample reprints/preprints, and three letters of reference to Dr. Elliott Beaton, ebeaton@uno.edu, chair of the search committee, Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148.

DATE POSTED: Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2017 and continue until the available positions are filled.

All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to retirement status and without regard to an applicant’s having previously accused the UL System Board or any of its universities of unlawful discrimination. Retirement status shall not be considered in the hiring process by any University in the UL System.

The University of New Orleans is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Women, ethnic minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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

Article archive / October 2017

Originally published: October 2017. Volume 8, No. 10. Source pages: 14.

November 3 in New Orleans LSU’s Dr. Harman to Describe Decision Science at LPA Workshop

The Louisiana Psych- ological Association will present a Fall Workshop on Friday, November 3, to be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, New Orleans airport.

A panel discussion on, “Conflict Management at the Individual, Group, and Societal Level: What Psychological Science Tells Us about Charlottesville,” will take place as part of the morning training activities.

Expert practitioners will participate in the panel discussion session, “Ethical and Effective Ways to Deal with Third-Party Payers,” for the afternoon.

Other elements of the one- day educational activity will include the Science Café and a Lunch & Learn experiential training activity with colleagues.

Panelists in the conflict management topic will include Dr. Marva Lewis, Associate Professor at Tulane University whose doctorate is in Sociocultural Psychology. Lewis’ research focuses on the development of culturally valid research methods and measures of racism-based stress during pregnancy, Colorism in African American families, and parental acceptance or rejection of children.

Dr. Tyree Mitchell, Assistant Professor in industrial- organization psychology at the Louisiana Human Resource Education & Workforce Development, College of Human Sciences & Education will also be a panelist. Dr. Mitchell’s work focuses on effective leadership and group functioning, including elements of culture, gender, negotiation and other characteristics important in social interactions.

Louisiana State University Psychology Assistant Professor, Dr. Jason Harmon will add the perspective of conflict from a cognitive, judgment, and decision-making framework. Dr. Harman earned his doctorate from Carnegie Mellon University and the Social and Decision Sciences Department. Dr. Harman’s research involves Dynamic Decision Making, Cognitive Models, Goal Pursuit, and Applied Decision Science.

“Virtually every consequential area of life involves humans making judgments and decisions,” Dr. Harman explained to the Times.

“Two areas we've been working on recently are equity in salary negotiations and environmental decision making. In terms of salary negotiations, we know that women are less likely than men to negotiate for higher salaries, and when they do negotiate they are seen as difficult and demanding whereas men are seen as confident and ambitious for the same behavior,” explained Harman.

“Here at LSU,” he said, “we're helping to expand our knowledge of this important topic by looking specifically at minority women in salary negotiation and how these known issues and solutions may be different depending on not only gender but the interaction of gender and race.”

“In general, humans are amazingly good at making decisions and forming judgments,” he said.

While Dr. Harman said he is an optimist when it comes to human decisions, “… there are factors that introduce biases or predictable errors into the decision making process and the current political climate seems to be a perfect storm of these factors,” he explained.

“In-group biases––us and them, negative emotions– –fear & anger, and biased information are three important factors that influence decision making––usually in a counter productive way–– that seem to be prevalent in the current climate.”

“In practical terms we see this in the observation that conservatives get all of their news from fox news and liberal get their news from other sources. Some friends of mine at Carnegie Mellon University have recently been studying the other side of this bias, information avoidance, the idea that people not only gather information to confirm their beliefs but actively avoid information that could cause internal conflict or negative emotions even when that information could help us make more accurate decisions.”

“Probably the most effective remedy to these biasing factors is exposure; exposure to people from different groups and to ideas and information that doesn't necessarily concur with your beliefs. We've known for a long time about confirmation bias: seeking out information that confirms our beliefs instead of information that challenges them. This is a human bias, not a political one. In fact it was first studied in scientists who should be more aware than anyone the fact that truth can only be advanced by seeking out disconfirming information and gathering confirming information gets you no closer to knowing if an idea is true. “

So overall, the best action we can take to improve our social decision making is exposing ourselves to diverse people and diverse ideas.

Also at the workshop, licensed psychologists Drs. Kathryn Kirkhard, Kim VanGeffen, Rafael Salcedo and Michael Chafetz will discuss dilemmas faced with insurance companies and other third-party payers.

Panelists will review ways to maintain the professional standards and therapeutic alliance with the client when another third-party entity is involved, and share their business and professional approaches to working with and bypassing problems caused by misaligned economic incentives and how to maintain boundaries and ethical standards.

Registration for the conference opens next week at louisianapsychologicalass ociation.org. Continuing professional development credits are offered.

Dr. Jason Harman at his office in the Louisiana State University Psychology Department. Dr. Harman is an expert in decision science and will present on a panel for the Louisiana Psychological Association Fall Workshop in November.

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

Article archive / October 2017

Originally published: October 2017. Volume 8, No. 10. Source pages: 15.

BCRR Career Fair Wednesday, Oct 11

The Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) will host its first Mental Health and Social Services Career Information Fair on Wednesday, October 11, said Dr. Sonnier-Hillis, interim department chair for Social Sciences and History and a member of Baton Rouge Community College’s Behavioral Intervention Team. Dr. Sonnier-Hillis is helping to bring together people for mental health awareness in Louisiana.

Dr. Sonnier-Hillis told the Times that groups participating so far include NHS Shelley Hendrix Autism Center, the Capital Area Human Services Autism Center, the East Baton Rouge Parish Schools I Care program, Gulf Coast Social Services, Cenikor Foundation, Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital, Iris Domestic Violence Center, and the Post Trauma Institute of Louisiana.

“For the careers in mental health panel discussion, mental health professionals in the areas of substance abuse, behavior analysis, and child social services will participate, as well as a psychiatric nurse practitioner––BRCC has a nursing program. All will speak about their particular careers and education, challenges, etc.,” Dr. Sonnier-Hillis said.

She also noted that the social work departments at LSU and Southern, the psychology department at Loyola, and possibly LSU's psychology department will participate. The Fair coordinates with Mental Health Awareness Week activities and is an effort to address the shortage of mental health professionals in the area.

The event will be held on campus at 201 Community College Drive in the Magnolia Building.

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

Article archive / October 2017

Originally published: October 2017. Volume 8, No. 10. Source pages: 15, 16.

The Louisiana School Psychological Association (LSPA) will hold its 37th Annual Convention Wednesday, November 8 through Friday, November 10 at the Doubletree by Hilton, 1521 West Pinhook Road, Lafayette, Louisiana.

This year’s theme is “Supporting Schools: Tools You Can Use.” President Keever Hoffmann will give the welcome then Dr. John Kelly, President of the National Association of School Psychology will deliver the keynote address. Dr. Kelly will also present “Social Emotional Learning.”

Dr. Kelly was named the 2003 NASP School Psychologist of the Year, on the NASP Board of Directors, a school psychologist for the Commack (NY) Public School District since 1986.

He has served as an adjunct professor at St. Joseph's College and Adelphi University and currently teaches at St. Johns University. His list of published articles includes topics of bullying prevention and school-based mental health services.

Also presenting on Friday will be Dr. Phillip Saigh on “PTSD in Children.” Susan Craig will present on “Trauma- Sensitive Schools.” And Dr. Todd Savage will present “School Climate.”

“Effective Collaboration and Communication with Parents & Advocates,” will be presented by Flint Smith.

Anna Pardue will present, “Apps and Digital Tools to Support School Psychologists.”

“ADOS-2 Booster” is to be presented by Dr. Jeanne Anne Carriere, Dr. Steve Kanne, Dr. Anna Laakman.

Dr. Carmen Broussard will provide training on “Supervision of Interns.”

“Creating Social Cognitive Supports,” will be presented by Dr. Chris Abilgaard.

Dr. Abilgaard will also present “Counseling Individuals with Autism.”

Michelle Antle will give a talk on “Strategies for Students with Autism.”

Dr. Katherine Wickstrom will host and lead the “School Psychology Trainer’s Forum.”

“Related Service Counseling Strategies,” will be presented by Dr. Brad Mason.

Dr. Jeanne Anne Carriere will present, “A Tiered Approach to Repairing Relationship with Families.”

Dr. Meagan Medley will present, “Treatment Integrity: Ways to Improve implementation of IEPs, BIPs, RTI, & PBIS.”

“Establishing Peer Management Programs in Your Schools,” will be given by Dr. Evan Dart.

Dr. George Hebert amd Dr. Colleen Arceneaux will present, “Ethical Dilemmas and Problem-Solving.”

For the Practitioner Conversation, Dr. Jeanne Anne Carriere, Dr. Steve Kanne, Dr. Anna Laakman, Amber Boykin and Flint Smith will discuss, “Autism in Louisiana & the Nation.”

Dr. Carmen Broussard, will present a question and answer program about the LSSP. Dr. Broussard will also provide a talk on the “Student Forum.”

Dr. Alan Coulter will present on “ESSA.”

Dr. Brad Mason will present on, “Getting on the Plus Side of Behavior.”

“Academic Fluency Interventions in Multi-Tiered Settings,” will be presented by Dr. Kim Sherman.

Dr. Kevin Jones will present, “Mobile App for Reading Interventions.”

Amber Boykin and Stacey Johnson will present “Professional Advocacy 101,” for the Practitioner Conversation.

“Social Skills Training for Students with Developmental Disabilities,” will be presented by Dr. Keith Radley.

Amber Boykin and Laura Maciaszek will present, “PBIS-Laws, Updates, & Measurement Tools.”

Dr. Kristin Johnson will present, “Training Teachers to Complete DBRCs.”

Dr. Wayne Stewart will provide a workshop on “Law and Ethics.”

Dr. Stacy Overstreet & Team, will present, “TOT Trauma-Informed Strategies for Engagement.”

Disaster Mental Health Worker (DMHW) Certification Training will be conducted by the American Red Cross––Louisiana on Saturday 1 to 3 pm.

Among the awards this year, several memorial awards will be given by the association. The Larry J. Stout Memorial Scholarship is a one-time award in honor of one of the most generous and dedicated professors and trainers of school psychology in Louisiana.

The Dr. Conni Patterson Scholarship is a one-time award established to honor Dr. Constance Kindrick to honor her distinguished contributions to the psychology community as a psychologist, educator, supervisor, administrator, and human rights advocate.

And the Will Bergeron Memorial Scholarship, established by LSPA in 1982 in honor of one of the early practitioners and trainers of school psychology in Louisiana will be presented.

For more information go to the LSPA website at http://lspaonline.org/

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

Article archive / September 2017

Originally published: September 2017. Volume 8, No. 9. Source pages: 14.

The Louisiana Psych- ological Association will present a Fall Workshop on Friday, November 3, to be held in New Orleans.

A panel discussion on, “Conflict Management at the Individual, Group, and Societal Level: What Psychological Science Tells Us about Charlottesville,” will be presented as part of the morning training activities. The afternoon will include a workshop and panel of expert practitioners who will address, “Ethical and Effective Ways to Deal with Third-Party Payers.”

Dr. Marva Lewis, Associate Professor at Tulane University and invited speakers, holds a doctorate in Sociocultural Psychology. Her program of research focuses on the development of culturally valid research methods and measures of racism-based stress during pregnancy, Colorism in African American families, and parental acceptance or rejection of children. She has focused on applied research using narrative therapy techniques and measures to strengthen African American family intergenerational relationships based on issues of Colorism as a legacy of the historical trauma of slavery.

Her work also includes development of an evidenced-based tool for use by individuals, organizations, and groups on the topic of Diversity, Privilege and Oppression.

Also an invited speaker for the morning panel is Dr. Tyree Mitchell, Assistant Professor in industrial-organization psychology at the Louisiana Human Resource Education & Workforce Development, College of Human Sciences & Education. Dr. Mitchell’s work focuses on effective leadership and group functioning, including elements of culture, gender, negotiation and other characteristics important in social interactions.

Dr. Mitchell is currently working in research projects that include: teams and culture project, antecedents of effective leadership behaviors, and gender and virtual negotiation empirical study.

His manuscripts under review include the cross-cultural negotiation project, the motivation and emergent leadership project, and the Intelligence, prosocial motivation and emergent leadership project.

Dr. Mitchell has presented on research for “Team prosocial motivation and shared leadership: Moderating effects of team surface- level diversity;” Qualifying the extra- verted leadership advantage: Extra- version, gender, and leader effectiveness;” and Leader goal orientation and effectiveness: Mediating effects of transformational leadership.” The November 3 workshop will also host a panel of expert practitioners for the panel discussion session, “Ethical and Effective Ways to Deal with Third-Party Payers.”

Licensed psychologists Drs. Kathryn Kirkhard, Kathy Robinson, Kim VanGeffen and others will discuss dilemmas faced with insurance companies and other third-party payers. Panelists will review ways to maintain the professional standards and therapeutic alliance with the client when another third-party entity is involved. Panelists will share their business and professional approaches to working with and bypassing problems caused by misaligned economic incentives created by reimbursement challenges and third- party arrangements. They will review what has worked and what hasn’t, and some guidelines and caveats for maintaining boundaries and ethical standards.

Other elements of the one-day educational activity will include a new educational feature, the Science Café. Laboratories from universities will provide updates on advancements in psychological science and their current research contributions. A working Lunch & Learn experiential training activity with colleagues is also included.

The association will also host a Fall Workshop–North, to be held in Shreveport, November 17.

A group exercise for psychologists, professors, and students held at a previous conference, with Tulane’s Dr. Marva Lewis (center back at table). Dr. Lewis is one of the invited panelists to discuss conflict management. Her doctorate is in Sociocultural Psychology.

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

Article archive / September 2017

Originally published: September 2017. Volume 8, No. 9. Source pages: 14.

Submissions are open now and due by September 12 for the spring 2018 meeting of The Division of Psychoanalysis, Division 39 of the American Psychological Association, to be held April 18–22 in New Orleans at the Intercontinental Hotel. The theme is Generations: Ghosts & Guardians.

Louisiana clinical psychologist Dr. Stephen Anen, this year’s conference co-chair, is hoping to receive submissions from the Louisiana community for the conference.

“Our Steering Committee is hopeful and excited about creating a robust, engaging, and thought- provoking range of programming. Having local clinicians and practitioners be involved would be part of that, in my opinion,” he said.

“We have tried to create a meeting that recognizes its location, something not always pursued with Spring Meetings in the past. Our theme aims to examine the influence of generational dynamics on individual, family, and social life. Given the richness of culture, food, tradition, and music that have been passed down over the years in Louisiana and New Orleans, we hope to explore

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

Article archive / September 2017

Originally published: September 2017. Volume 8, No. 9. Source pages: 15, 16.

Dr. Sonnier-Hillis to Help Guide Career Fair at BCRR for Mental Health Awareness Week

Dr. Bridget Sonnier-Hillis, interim department chair for Social Sciences and History and a member of Baton Rouge Community College’s Behavioral Intervention Team, is helping coordinate resources for an event she hopes will help bring together people for mental health awareness in Louisiana.

The Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) will host its first-ever Mental Health and Social Services Career Information Fair on Wednesday, October 11, Dr. Sonnier-Hillis explained.

To coordinate with Mental Health Awareness Week activities and, in an effort to address the shortage of mental health professionals in the area, Baton Rouge Community College will host the Career Fair on BRCC’s campus at 201 Community College Drive in the beautiful Magnolia Building, Sonnier-Hillis said.

Presentations will be in Dumas Room from 10 am to 1pm and will include a guest panel of mental health professionals from various fields at 12 pm, she said.

“Students and the general public will be able to learn about jobs and various career opportunities in the Baton Rouge area that range from registered line technicians to work with children on the Autism Spectrum and assistant behavior analysts,” Sonnier- Hillis said, “to substance abuse counselors and peer support specialists, school psychologists, and social workers. The various specialties in psychology also will be presented,” she said.

Dr. Sonnier-Hillis is a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience working in the area of clinical health psychology, practicing in various medical settings in Texas and Nebraska before returning to her home state of Louisiana in 2011, and she now teaches full-time at BRCC.

She noted that Baton Rouge Community College began in 1998 and has an enrollment of approximately 8,000 students. Among its many degrees it offers an Associate of Arts Louisiana Transfer degree in the Social Sciences. This degree allows students to take their first two years of coursework at BRCC and then transfer to a four-year university as a junior, and obtain a bachelor’s degree in any of the social science fields such as psychology, sociology, social work, etc., Dr. Sonnier-Hillis explained.

BRCC offers associate’s degrees in other academic areas such as the biological sciences, pre-engineering, pre-nursing computer science, liberal arts, and business. “Students also have many opportunities for community involvement, community service, and the development of leadership skills,” she said. “The Social Sciences Department recently hosted a screening of the award-winning documentary ‘Alive Inside’ about the evidence-based program called Music and Memory, based on the usage of individualized music playlists in nursing homes to help reduce the use of antipsychotics.

Dr. Sonnier-Hillis is the Louisiana Department of Health’s designated state reviewer for Louisiana 2008 Act 571, which ensures quality dementia training curricula for nursing facility employees. She also recently was a member of the academic committee for police policy improvements initiated by members of the Baton Rouge Metro Council, making recommendations regarding police interactions with those with mental illness, as well as the effects of implicit biases. She is a member of the Louisiana Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, and Louisiana Enhancing Aging with Dignity through Empowerment and Respect (LEADER).

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

Article archive / September 2017

Originally published: September 2017. Volume 8, No. 9. Source pages: 2.

Men in Boats by Times publisher, J. Nelson

One of the bright spots in the Harvey disaster was to see the civilians formally welcomed by Governor Abbott and the FEMA director. The two sounded like they had no fears about men in boats helping rescue people or perform as water taxicabs.

Being a member of the Cajun Navy does not seem to require credentials, does not require a regulatory license, certification, or paperwork. No continuing education, safety tests or CPR certificates. Apparently you don’t even have to have a last name ending in “eaux.” What is needed is a bass boat, something to haul it with, and the willingness to drop everything and go running off to the center of whatever watery disaster has befallen the rest of us, and put yourself at risk to save a life on those occasions that some misguided soul gets it in her mind to go riding around in a three-foot flood.

Who can forget David Phung?

David, a land surveyor, and his fellows, somehow came across a woman trapped in her vehicle. The video starts out comfortably enough––it looks as if all they have to do is pull her out of the car. But that doesn’t work. Then the car starts sinking, and then they can’t break the window, and then the car starts to sink faster. We even hear the woman, whom we can’t see, say something like, “I’m drowning,” as the car is going under.

David jumps into the water, stands on the front hood and somehow rips an opening in the convertible’s top as the car disappears into the murky water. He goes under and pulls an arm out and then the rest of her, to the surface. She’s gasping. She asks for her dog. Her dog? David dives around and finds the dog somehow, too.

The short scene teaches us first––never, ever drive in a flood. Second, it shows us just how many things can go wrong, how little margin of error there might be. And third, we see just how quickly a drowning death could happen.

The civilians like David haven’t always been as welcomed the way Governor Abbott invited them in and asked for their help. Even last year in Baton Rouge there were some reports of the civilian boatmen being told to go home by officials.

But it was in Katrina where the reports were that these local heroes trying to aid their neighbors were rejected. Blogger Tom Luongo writes that these “… volunteers were turned away under penalty of jail…”

And it was in Katrina that every available member of our Cajun Navy would have done the most good, a large American city that was not prepared. As the most fatal storm in the last generation, Katrina took so many more lives than any of the other large storms, and the toll was heaviest in Louisiana, with 1,577 of the 1,800 plus. The next most deadly storm, Sandy, was not even close, with 159 dead.

The masculine seems to be in decline in the culture, but not so much when it comes to this civilian, makeshift navy, a collection of boatmen with a share of risk-taking, competence, autonomy and altruism. Ah, who doesn’t appreciate the positive masculine.

Sometime since Katrina the Cajun Navy has authorized itself, and gained momentum and popularity. It is now a “well-oiled machine” said one of its members on social media when Harvey hit the Texas coast and Houston. Cajun Navy member Gary Davis posted, “GOD BLESS TEXAS. We got your backs.”

Some have remarked on the parallel to Dunkirk, where, if the story is true, the emergence of citizens may have helped to avoid a total defeat in WWII.

When things get desperate, and it seems we are in for a dose of disasters, more heroic men hanging around is much better. It is great to know someone has your back.

[Julie Nelson is a licensed psychologist, journalist, organizational consultant, and publisher of the Times. She also holds other various positions in the community. However, her opinions here are those of her own, and do not represent any group or association. She and the Times receive no compensation other than paid advertizing. Email her at drj@drjulienelson.com, ––she welcomes feedback.]

David Phung pulling a woman out while standing on the hood of her sinking car.

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

Article archive / September 2017

Originally published: September 2017. Volume 8, No. 9. Source pages: 3.

Governor Edwards Joins Governors Urging Congress to Stabilize the Health Care Spiral

This week Gov. John Bel Edwards joined Governors John R. Kasich (R-Ohio), Steve Bullock (D-Mont.), Brian Sandoval (R-Nev.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tom Wolf (D-Pa.), Terry McAuliffe (D-Va.) and Bill Walker (I-AK) in sending a letter to congressional leaders asking them to follow in the footsteps of American governors who have prioritized the stability and affordability of health care coverage for all Americans. The governors developed a blueprint for reform that should be considered by Congress, said the press release.

“Previously, we have written that changes to our health insurance system should be based on a set of guiding principles that include improving affordability and restoring stability to insurance markets,” they wrote. “Reforms should not shift costs to states or fail to provide the necessary resources to ensure that the working poor or those suffering from mental illness, chronic illness or addiction can get the care they need.

“Based on these guiding principles, we recommend (1) immediate federal action to stabilize markets, (2) responsible reforms that preserve recent coverage gains and control costs, and (3) an active federal/state partnership that is based on innovation and a shared commitment to improve overall health system performance. Just as these proposals have brought together governors from across the political spectrum, we are confident they can attract support across party lines in both chambers of Congress.”

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

Article archive / September 2017

Originally published: September 2017. Volume 8, No. 9. Source pages: 4.

Gov. John Bel Edwards officially proclaimed August 2017 as #ABLEtoSave Month, raising awareness about the integral role the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act plays in helping individuals with disabilities receive public benefits.

The federal Stephen Beck, Jr. ABLE Act was passed in 2014 and added Section 529A to the federal tax code, which enables individuals with disabilities to save assets without jeopardizing their eligibility for critical public benefits, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI).

The LSUHSC Human Development Center posted that the Louisiana has become the 23rd state to launch an ABLE program. The Louisiana ABLE program, named LA ABLE, will be managed by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LAOFSA) and the Louisiana Tuition Trust Authority (LATTA), the Center noted.

The accounts will be available for Louisiana residents with disabilities. The program allows qualified individuals with disabilities to save up to $14,000 a year in an ABLE account without jeopardizing their eligibility for certain other benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. The funds in the account can be used for disability-related expenses that assist the beneficiary in increasing and/or maintaining health or quality of life. More information is available at www.able.osfa.la.gov.

“Thousands of our citizens will be empowered as a direct result of the ABLE Act,” said Gov. Edwards. “It will allow families with children who have disabilities to save for their future expenses, and it will enable working adults to save as well while retaining their vital health benefits through Medicaid or Social Security. Rep. Franklin Foil is to be commended for the work he put into passing this important legislation at the state level.”

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

Article archive / September 2017

Originally published: September 2017. Volume 8, No. 9. Source pages: 4.

At its meeting on Friday, Aug. 18, the Restore Louisiana Task Force unanimously approved Gov. John Bel Edwards’ request to expand the homeowner assistance program to all homeowners who had flood insurance during the March and August 2016 floods.

In addition, the task force unanimously approved the governor’s request to increase grant award amounts to those who are already eligible for both construction work and reimbursements.

The measures, which now go to the governor and then HUD for final approval, could allow thousands more flood-impacted homeowners to apply for awards.

“I want to make certain that the Restore Louisiana program is made available to help as many homeowners as we can,” said Gov. Edwards. “While we can never be fast enough to be satisfied, I have said from the beginning that as more recovery dollars become available, my administration would work to expand the program and benefits to help more homeowners.”

Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Development Pat Forbes says the limits were in place because of the state’s need to ensure the program is adequately funded. As grants have been awarded and home inspections and damage assessments have been completed, “It’s clear that there should be enough funds to meet additional unmet needs of affected households,” Forbes said. The measures approved Friday expands eligibility to all homeowners with flood insurance who still have an unmet need after insurance proceeds and increases the percentage of reimbursement, among other changes.

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