Originally published: . Volume 14, No. 3. Source pages: 5.
From the Board Selected Items from January Agenda of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP)
BOARD MEETING AGENDA Thursday, January 19, 2023 and Friday, January 20, 2023 1. 2. GENERAL DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: a. Rulemaking Status/update from Dr. Moore and Ms. Monic regarding Occupational Licensing Review Commission hearing. b. Draft Response to LAPS inquiry received 1/16/2023 c. Valerie Dominique, CPA, New Contract with HTP d. Job description for Executive Counsel (In House/Prosecuting) e. ASPPB Mid-year Meeting, Denver, CO; April 20-23, 2023 (Designate 2 funded attendees) f. LSBEP TRAVEL POLICY | Vote on exemption from PPM49
DAY 2: Friday, January 20, 2023 ASPPB Presentation to LSBEP regarding the validity and other issues concerning the EPPP (Part I and Part II): Dr. Mariann Burnetti-Atwell, Dr. Matthew Turner, Dr. Hao Song
GENERAL DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: a. Review and discuss training for new rules b. Reschedule Awards Ceremony for April ’23 or July ‘23 c. Letter from ethics attorney – Opinion on Dr. Sam Presentation at ASPPB d. ATAP Administering select projective test if adequately trained e. Technology – IT Quotes for Upgrades (Sparkhound and Covalent Logic) 1:00 – 2:00 Working lunch – Training for Board Members, Staff and Workgroup Participants by Amy Groves Lowe (1 hour) – Anti-trust – Staff and Board Member roles in investigating matters concerning the unauthorized practice of psychology by unlicensed individuals, reporting violations, actionable findings, and other related anti-trust issues including rulemaking, denial of licensure and when to involve an attorney.
LONG RANGE PLANNING DISCUSSION: c. Executive Director Report: (i) Operations /Updates/Temporary Registrations and Updates on progress of old business. d. Finance (i) Update on Accounts Receivables including update on litigation/complaints accounts receivable – Drs. Gormanous, Moore & Ms. Monic e. Complaints – Drs. Gormanous, Moore & Ms. Monic (i) Compliance Report (ii) Ethics litigation review f. Continuing Professional Development – Drs. Harness & Sam g. Jurisprudence Examination – Drs. Harness & Holcomb h. Legislative and Regulatory Oversight – Mr. McNeely, Drs. Gormanous & Dr. Holcomb i. Liaison to Professional Organizations and Boards – Drs. Holcomb & Gormanous j. Long Range Planning – Drs. Gormanous & Moore k. Oral Examination – Drs. Moore, Harness & Sam l. Public and Professional Outreach – Mr. McNeely & Dr. Gormanous m. Supervision and Credentials – Drs. Moore & Sam n. Ad hoc/Other: o. Recruitment/Search – Executive Counsel – Drs. Gormanous, Sam, Mr. McNeely & Ms. i. Masters Level License/Credentialing ii. Ethics Code Revisions iii. Program Competency Issues iv. Examination Issues: Assessing; Competence/EPPP/ EPPP2 or other option vs. Oral Examination v. Rule Changes and the “Great Cliff” in psychology education: Continued use of Specialties vs HSP/General Applied vi. Open discussion for consideration of other emerging issues
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. 3. Source pages: 15.
10 Years Ago … What The Psychology Times was reporting on in March 2013
Groups watching LPA gives dissenting opinion BA Commission Report Goes to Louisiana
Senate
The Behavior Analysts Licensure and Regulation Study Commission submitted its final report to President of the Louisiana Senate for a February 1 deadline. The report contains recommendations for the licensure and regulation of behavior analysts, including scope of practice, definitions of three levels of practitioners, and the decision for a merged board arrangement with the Licensed Professional Counselors. The final report also included a dissenting opinion from the Louisiana Psychological Association.
Psychologist Designed Teacher
Assessment Program Moves into Full
Swing Across State
by Suzanne Booth, MA, Psychology Times Intern
The value-added assessment portion of Louisiana’s teacher evaluation system developed by school psychologist and LSU professor, Dr. George Noell and colleagues, is taking full effect across Louisiana this year. The program, derived from the earlier Value-Added Teacher Preparation Program Assessment Model, began in 2003 when Noell and colleagues created a complex, nested, multivariate evaluation design. The purpose was to examine how teacher performance as indexed by student academic gains was related to teacher preparation.
Members from Behavioral Health
Step Up for Violence Prevention
Professionals from various behavioral health groups have formed a coalition to promote safety in Louisiana by strengthening early identification of those at risk of violence. The group, named the Louisiana Coalition for Violence Prevention, includes members of the psychology and behavioral health community, a cross section of leaders from school psychology, counseling, and social work.
Steering group member Dr. John Simoneaux told the Times, “Recognizing that it is our responsibility, we want mental health professionals in Louisiana to ensure that we are trained in scientifically sound techniques for identifying and intervening with potentially dangerous individuals.” N.O. Psychologist’s Research Key U.S. Senator Coburn Takes Science’s
Flag to Social Security Administration
The U.S. Senator known for confronting government waste
and inefficiency, Oklahoma’s Dr. Tom Coburn, took up the banner for psychological science recently when he challenged the Social Security Administration’s anti-scientific approach to detecting malingering in its disability claims.
Senator Coburn had help in understanding the science behind these complex issues from New Orleans clinical and neuropsychologist, Dr. Michael Chafetz.
Chafetz and his colleagues have been studying malingering in disability claimants and publishing research in the area since 2006, some-thing that the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not do for itself.
Dr. Tucker’s Program Finds New
Home at Bossier Sherriff Facility
Psychologist Dr. Susan Tucker and her nationally recognized treatment program survived the state cutbacks, despite the closing of Forcht Wade Correctional Center in Keithville, Louisiana, this past July. “It took a while,” Dr. Tucker explained to the Times, “but the entire staff moved to the new facility.” The staff and their innovative programs relocated to the Bossier Sherriff’s Office, Medium Correctional Facility, located between Benton and Plain Dealing, LA.
Dr. Thomason First in LA To Use
Data-Referenced EEG Technology
Making national headlines in NY Times, Huffington Post and Fox News is a company that provides an objective, physiologically based measure using EEG results and norms to help doctors and nurses choose the right medications for their patients. The Times spoke with Dr. David Thomason, a medical prescriber practicing in Monroe, Louisiana, who is part of the network of providers trying out this new technology, and the only person listed in Louisiana by the company, CNS Response, Inc.
Dr. Phil Griffin Grabs Top
Votes In LSBEP Election
Dr. Phil Griffin received the top number of votes in the LSBEP election that closed on January 25, 2013. Griffin won the top spot by capturing 81 of the 166 total votes cast by licensed psychologists in the state, or about 49 percent of those voting. Also hoping to serve on the board, which would be for a second term if appointed, is Dr. Joe Comaty, a medical psychologist who recently retired from the state Office of Behavioral Health. Comaty received 46 votes, or 28 percent of the vote. Dr. Lynn Schechter, a psychologist in private practice in Baton Rouge, received 39 votes or 23 percent.
Dr. Steele Appointed to Marriage and Family Therapy Advisory Committee In December Governor Jindal announced two appointments to
the Advisory Committee for Marriage and Family Therapy including Dr. Kathryn “Kathy” Steele, of Metairie. Dr. Steele is an Assistant Professor in Psychology and Counseling at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and serves as the Director of Clinical Practice at NOBTS.
Dr. Robert Marier, Director of the state medical board at commission meeting. (Photo by M. Dooley)
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. 2. Source pages: 2.
Clementi by J. Nelson
In 2001, our oldest child was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study ethnobotany in the rainforests of Panama. While Archimedes and I sweated bullets the whole time, the experience was enormously enriching for her. It was also enormously enriching for me, which is what this story is about.
For her research, our daughter, Cass, lived with the Ngobe Indians, the indigenous peoples who inhabit the Bocas del Toro Archipelago. The Ngobe live out in the forest in grass-roofed huts without electricity or technology. They are a reserved, quiet and polite people who maintain their culture and community. But, the majority live below the poverty level.
Cass told us how she wandered through the rainforest sampling medicinal plants, interviewed shamans and medicine men, and listened to the choruses of tropical frogs raise their voices after a downpour, until the sound filled the forest like a choir echoing through a cathedral.
She also told us the story of Clementi. Clementi had worked on the banana plantation until the truck transporting workers turned over on a mountainside. Clementi was paralyzed from the waist down. Since the Ngobe carried things around a lot, Clementi's wife could sometimes be seen carrying him piggyback around the village. Cass said that all the people in the community were poor but Clementi’s situation was the worst of all.
When Cass was finishing up her research, I asked her to give Clementi some money before she left. It was Christmas time and she put the donation in an envelope and went to see Clementi and his family in their hut.
She talked with them for a while and handed them the envelope. They bashfully accepted it and thanked her graciously, but did not open it while she was present.
"When I was walking away from the house," she said, "across the wide expanse of green space, in the silence, cheering and excitement broke out from inside their house."
Hearing that, I was hooked, and became a benefactor to Clementi.
Since 2001, three times a year, I send a donation. Cass, who is fluent in Spanish, receives a phone call from Mauricia, Clementi’s daughter, who lives in the town. (There’s no such thing as a savings account or a checking account for the traditional Ngobe). Somehow Mauricia collects the cash from Western Union and delivers it to her dad and mom.
This has been a joy for me for 22 years.
Last month Mauricia called to tell us Clementi had died. He had taken ill and passed away at the hospital in town. Mauricia requested funds to help get Clementi’s body home.
Clemente‘s wife was relieved and grateful, Mauricia told Cass, when she realized that I intended to continue my donations. I had always intended that, knowing the toll on caregivers.
Mauricia said “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for being so noble with us–always. Your heart is with us even though we are far away. Thank you for being on this path with us.”
Cass told her our prayers are with her and that we are sad too for Clementi. She told Mauricia that we are very glad to help and have always felt good about helping Clementi and the family especially because of the suffering in his life.
I never met or talked to him, in any language, but I wish I could have said one time to Clementi that I loved him. I like to think he knew that, I hope he knew that.
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. 2. Source pages: 3.
Governor Edwards Makes Appointments to Regents, Southern & U. of Louisiana System
The Governor appointed several individuals to the Louisiana Board of Regents, including the following: Mr. David J. Aubrey of St. Gabriel, is a regional vice president with AT&T Louisiana; Mr. Christian C. Creed of Monroe, is an attorney with the law firm of Creed & Creed; Mr. Blake R. David of Lafayette was reappointed, is an attorney with Broussard & David LLC; Mr. Wilbert D. Pryor of Shreveport was reappointed, and is the chief deputy district attorney for Caddo Parish; Mr. T. Jay Seale III of Hammond was reappointed, a business lawyer with Seale & Ross, APLC; Ms. Terrie P. Sterling of Zachary was reappointed, and is the CEO of Terrie Sterling LLC.
The Board of Supervisors of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College is vested with the responsibility for the management and supervision of the institutions of higher education, statewide agricultural programs and other programs which comprise the Southern University System.
Ms. Zazell V. Dudley of Shreveport was appointed to the Board of Supervisors of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College. Ms. Dudley is the director of economic development for the Caddo- Bossier Parish Port Commission. The governor also appointed Ms. Maple L. Gaines of New Orleans, retired from the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal; Mr. Paul P. Matthews of Metairie was appointed, and is CEO of the Port of South Louisiana; Ms. Christy O. Reeves of Baton Rouge was reappointed and is vice president of community and governmental relations with Ochsner; Ms. Ann A. Smith of Kentwood was reappointed and is board chair and a retired educator and administrator from Tangipahoa Parish.
Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System is responsible for supervising and managing state colleges and universities: Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisiana at Monroe and University of New Orleans.
Ms. Lola W. Dunahoe of Natchitoches was reappointed to the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System, and she is a retired teacher; Mr. Alejandro "Al" Perkins of Prairieville was reappointed and is a partner with Hammonds, Sills, Adkins & Guice law firm and an adjunct professor with Southern University Law Center; Ms. Elizabeth G. Pierre of Monroe was reappointed and is chair and the senior vice president of legal and research for the North Louisiana Economic Partnership; Ms. Julie S. Stokes of Metairie was reappointed and is vice president and CFO of Stokes & Associates.
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. 2. Source pages: 5.
At the December meeting of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, members agreed to offer Mr. Jonathan Wagner a position as in-house attorney.
Dr. Gormanous presented a motion to hire Mr. Jonathan Wagner for the In-House Attorney position for the previously approved salary of $60K plus health insurance and retirement benefits, according to the December minutes.
Following the opportunity for discussion, the motion was put to a vote. According to the minutes, the motion passed by unanimous roll call vote of the members present as follows: In favor: (5) Gormanous, Moore, Harness, Sam and Holcomb; Against: (0); Abstained: (0); Absent: (1) McNeely.
Minutes indicated that Executive Director JaIme Monic is to extend an employment offer and proceed with on boarding activities if the offer is accepted by Mr. Wagner.
According to Mr. Jonathan Blake Wagner's listing with the Louisiana Bar Association, Mr. Wagner was admitted in 2005 and listed his address as Millwood Drive in Baton Rouge.
His firm is listed as the Louisiana Department of Justice and his board district is the fifth and his judicial district is the 19th.
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. 2. Source pages: 5.
Gov. Edwards to Mark Seven-Year Anniversary of Medicaid Expansion
Governor Edwards is marking the seven-year anniversary of the expansion of Medicaid in Louisiana. According to the press release, on his first full day in office on January 12, 2016, Gov. Edwards signed JBE16-01, an executive order expanding Medicaid.
"Thanks to Medicaid expansion, more than 500,000 working Louisianans have access to health care. Thanks to Medicaid expansion, more than 200,000 Louisianans have received cancer screenings and treatment, more than 100,000 Louisianans have received treatment for hypertension, and more than 180,000 working Louisianans have received specialized mental health treatment," noted the announcement authors.
Before Gov. Edwards took office, Louisiana's uninsured rate among adults was 22.7%. It has fallen by more than half, to 9.4%.
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. 2. Source pages: 5.
At the Friday, December 16, 2022 meeting of the state psychology board, members proposed the schedule and rollout for registering assistants to psychologists, according to the minutes posted in January.
The goals include early registration from April 1, 2023 – April 30, 2023:
"Begin accepting and processing APPLICATIONS for ATAPS [Assistant to a Psychologist] that are employed before April 1, 2023 on April 1, 2023 (paper applications unless by a miracle we have upgraded our system).
"Applications for the initial registration of ATAPS employed before April 1, 2023 and received between April 1, 2023 and April 30, 2023 will not be subject to a renewal fee for the 2023-24 FY."
The minutes detailed registrations received after April 30, 2023, as follows:
"Applications of ATAP’s who are currently employed before April 1, 2023, and who submit their APPLICATION after April 30, 2023 will be subject to the current Application and Renewal fee for the 2023-24 FY."
According to the minutes the board's goal for Registration Deadline is as follows:
"July 31, 2023 is the deadline to register an ATAP that is currently employed prior to April 1, 2023."
For "New Registration," any "Application for initial registration of a new ATAP hired on or after April 1, 2023, must be received and processed in accordance with the Louisiana Administrative Code. New registrants will be subject to renewal fees accordingly. Failure to comply with the registration process prescribed by the Board may result in action by the Board."
The final version of the rules for these new regulations have not been published in the Louisiana Register as of January 31st.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
From the Minutes Selected Items from Nov & Dec 2022 Minutes of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP)
Friday, November 18, 2022 Posted Jan 5, 2023
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: 1. APA Guidelines on Race and Ethnicity in Psychology – The Board discussed APA Guidelines on Race and Ethnicity in Psychology. Dr. Gormanous moved that the LSBEP adopt the APA Guidelines on Race & Ethnicity in Psychology. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote.
2. APA Racial Equity Action Plan – Psychology's Role in Dismantling Systemic Racism – The Board discussed this item and how important it is for organizations to engage in ongoing reflection and evaluation to avoid racism and inequality.
3. Reviewing the continued utilization of the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology to fulfill the requirement of to assess professional knowledge under R.S. 37:2356. – Dr. Gormanous requested input on whether additional information had been received regarding the allegation that the EPPP was biased. Dr. Moore stated that the Board had received other letters of this nature following the announcement by ASPPB regarding the format of the examination being one examination with two parts. Dr. Gormanous suggested since no action had been taken, removing this item from the Agenda. There were no objections.
4. Discussion of ASPPB future actions concerning the EPPP a. Announcement October 2022 b. EPPP Factual Overview. The Board discussed the continued utilization of the EPPP. Dr. Harness stated for the record that she is not opposed to the utilization of the EPPP2 and feels that it could be a valid assessment to replace the Board’s Oral Examination. Dr. Holcomb stated that he is opposed to the Board adopting the EPPP2 and stated that he does have concerns about the validity of the examination. He also wanted to clarify his understanding that ASPPB would no longer allow the option of utilizing only the Knowledge portion of the examination, that it was one exam with two parts. […] Dr. Gormanous recommended that the Board invite members of ASPPB, namely ASPPB Executive Director, Mariann Burnetti-Atwell and whomever their new Director of Examinations will be, noting that ASPPB announced that Dr. Matt Turner would be leaving the organization.
11. 2022 Election for Board Member vacancy occurring 7/1/2023: Announcement and vetting of Candidates, affirmation of voting platform and dates of open election. Dr. Moore read candidate statements for the following individuals who submitted their Self-Nomination form to the Board for the upcoming board election to fill the vacancy occurring on July 1, 2022: Jeffry Luria and Shawanda Woods-Smith. Ms. Monic affirmed that both Dr. Luria and Dr. Woods-Smith met the criteria to run for the board seat.
b. “Shallow” dive analysis – Dr. Gormanous shared details/history of an I-O psychologist volunteering to do a gratis & privileged organizational analyses of board functioning with respect to efficiency & effectiveness. The Board decided not to do so because the Legislative Audit would address board functioning. The Legislative Audit did not address it. […]. Hearing no comments, this discussion concluded.
Friday, December 16, 2022 Posted Jan 24, 2023
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: 1. POLICY AMENDMENTS: a. Motion by Dr. Greg Gormanous to video record open session portions of LSBEP meetings. Dr. Gormanous presented a motion to video and audio record open session portions of LSBEP meetings with for the purposes of transparency, accuracy of minutes, creating an official record of the board, and serving as a roadmap for actions and next steps between meetings, acknowledging that the recording creates an official document that may be requested by law. The Board discussed this motion. […] The motion failed by roll call vote of the members present as follows: In favor: (1) Gormanous; Against (4) Moore, Harness, Sam and Holcomb; (0); Abstained: (0); Absent: (1) McNeely. 2. Update In-house Counsel and Complaints Coordinator III Interviews. Dr. Gormanous presented his motion to hire Mr. Jonathan Wagner to the In-House Attorney position for the previously approved salary of $60K plus health insurance and retirement benefits. […] The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote […] Dr. Moore presented a motion to recommend Dr. Laura Brown be offered an 18-month contract beginning 1/2/2023 – 6/30/2024 in an amount not to exceed $5,000. […] The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote […]
OPEN MEETING The Board conducted a public rules hearing starting at Noon on the following Notices published in the Louisiana Register Volume 48 No. 11, November 20, 2022: Oral and written comments were received related to rule changes involving the registration of assistants; telesupervision; continuing professional development, doctoral program in psychology and clinical neuropsychology. Comments were both in support and opposition of the rule changes. All written comments and questions received were read into the record. Individual who provided written comments were: Dr. Adam Hess, Dr. Julie Nelson, Dr. Clifton Mixon. Dr. Erin Tarcza Reuther, Dr. Emily Brickell, Dr. Beth Arredondo, Dr. Matthew Calamia , Dr. Traci Olivier, Dr..Larry Benoit, Dr. Darlyne Nemeth, Dr.Bern Lee, Dr. Anneliese Boettcher, Dr.Jacklyn Ruhl, Dr. R. John Sawyer, Dr. Marc Zimmermann, Dr. Stella Tran, Dr. Tina Myers, and Dr. Chelsey Mahle.
3. Debrief following Rules Hearing – […] The Board discussed the approval and denial of registrations and agreed that the authority to approve registrations should be an administrative process and staff would consult with the Supervision and Credentials Review Committee regarding recommendations to deny applications for registration of an Assistant To A Psychologist (ATAP); that approvals will be reported at quarterly meetings and recommendations to deny will be received in executive session at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Additionally, they discussed delegating the review of any information received that may warrant immediate action to one examining board member for the initiation of immediate action to administratively suspend and ATAP’s registration (see 1107.C.), including a review of the draft application form, workflow and timeline and notice as follows:
GOAL FOR ROLLOUT:
Early Registration Period April 1, 2023 – April 30, 2023: • Begin accepting and processing APPLICATIONS for ATAPS that are employed before April 1, 2023 on April 1, 2023 (paper applications unless by a miracle we have upgraded our system). • Applications for the initial registration of ATAPS employed before April 1, 2023 and received between April 1, 2023 and April 30, 2023 will not be subject to a renewal fee for the 2023-24 FY. Registrations received After April 30, 2023: • Applications of ATAP’s who are currently employed before April 1, 2023, and who submit their APPLICATION after April 30, 2023 will be subject to the current Application and Renewal fee for the 2023-24 FY. Registration Deadline: • July 31, 2023 is the deadline to register an ATAP that is currently employed prior to April 1, 2023.
Additionally, following deliberations several important non-substantive tweaks were considered and approved as follows: a. Regarding the concerns that the language under 1101.A. […] Dr. Sam moved in favor of initiating a non-substantive change, to added clarifying language under §1101.A. so that the proposed rule reads, “Upon, or pending, employment of an ATAP…” and proceed with rulemaking process; and to further empower administrative staff to complete a timely review of applications, and consult the Supervision and Credentials Review Committee when necessary, as well as enact the proposed roll-out timeline as discussed. Following opportunity for discussion, the motion was put to a vote. The motion passed by unanimous roll call […]
• Regarding comments where the specific language proposed in §1403. & §1409. E.4. Telesupervision and Telepsychology was being interpreted to require only video and audio transmissions simultaneously; in other words, concerns that audio-only is not allowed in either the provision of psychological services or in providing supervision. The Board agreed that it was not the intent of the proposed regulations to prohibit audio only. […] In response, Dr. Michelle Moore moved that the LSBEP clarify that the proposed rules do not exclude audio only and made a non- substantive change to revise §1403.A. and §1409.E.4, to add the language to clarify that audio only communication is allowable under to sections §1403. & §1409. E.4. to clarify that audio only communication is allowable. Following opportunity for discussion, the motion was put to a vote. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote […]
a. Motion by Dr. Greg Gormanous to authorize organizational analyses of LSBEP functioning with respect to efficiencies and effectiveness. Dr. Gormanous presented a motion to authorize organizational analyses of LSBEP functioning with respect to efficiencies and effectiveness […] Dr. Moore wished to address Dr. Gormanous’ comment for the record that this was the second time during this meeting that a very aspirational motion was presented with the intention of improving processes, but prefaced with a comment suggesting it could/would be voted down by others prior to discussion. […] The motion failed by roll call vote […
9. BUDGET: Current FY 2022-23, Ensuing 2023-24.
The Board reviewed revisions to the Budget proposed by Dr. Moore and Dr. Holcomb, which changes reflected a 4% cost of living increase for Jaime Monic and Jalynne Brown, adjustments to board member travel, maintaining the current lease with Sherfolks at the current fixed amount and approval for mileage reimbursement to LSSP Members for their attendance at quarterly meetings. Following discussion, by motion of Dr. Michelle B. Moore, and roll call vote of the members present, the LSBEP, by majority roll call vote RESOLVED to adopt revisions to the current July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 budget, which amendments include:
1. An increase in the projected income from $374,510 to $392,124 due to: a. Updated actual amounts collected for licensing fees. b. Decrease in the fees anticipated to be collected for the 2022-23 FY for registration of assistants to psychologists. c. Reallocation of property lease shared with LBAB. […]
2. An increase in the projected expenditures from $405,589 to $440,010 due to:
a. Reallocation of 30K of contract revenue for Chehardy, Sherman, Williams to the In-house Attorney Position.
b. Update actual salary amounts.
c. Reallocation of property lease shared with LBAB. Previously reported only as LSBEP’s portion, the changes now reflect the full amount of the lease contract ($54,690.60), and reports LBAB’s share as income.
d. Updates to the actual cost to publish the Notice of Intent and projected cost to publish the anticipated rule (11,884).
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. 1. Source pages: 2.
I was talking to Kim VanGeffen about the current expansion of power at the LSBEP and we were reminiscing about the good old days (GOD). It was a time when the vision of psychology as a profession was articulated by great masters like Don and Virginia Glad, Joe Dawson, Art Riopelle, Sue Jensen, and Larry Siegel, to name a few. Kim and I agreed that psychotherapy has now become the territory of many professions (rightly so) but that psychometric assessment is still mostly under our umbrella, at least for now. I said that the other characteristic that makes us different, maybe even unique, is the fact that we are applied scientists. We use the questioning, scientific mindset. Personnel and Organizational Psychology was published in 1982, written by then LSU professors Larry Siegel and Irv Lane.
One of the delightful finds in this classic text is the description of what a psychologist is, crafted at a time when perhaps it was easier to define. Professional psychologists who deliver services, the authors wrote, “do so with a scientific perspective: professional practice is applied research. Solving a real problem in the real world […] requires that the issues be defined, alternative solutions be evaluated, and the optimal solution implemented.” As applied scientists, we understand that making decisions and solving problems involves independent, dependent, and extraneous variables. Good decision making requires a back-and-forth exchange between theory and application, deductive and inductive reasoning. The professional applied scientist’s approach to a problem or decision requires an understanding of validity—without validity our decisions are meaningless. At best, meaningless decisions are simply noise in the system, taking up space and resources. At worst, these meaningless decisions are self-oriented, misleading and destructive. What does it mean to be an applied scientist with a scientific mindset? It does not mean “follow the science.” It does not mean "believe me because I’m the expert." It does not mean I am morally– or otherwise–superior. And it does not mean we censor feedback or critique of our findings. Being an applied scientist requires constant feedback loops and critique, never being satisfied that we have captured all of the extraneous variables that could be influencing our predictors and judgments. It means we acknowledge there is always a source of bias somewhere, somehow, that we are probably missing. Watching the state psychology board perform its work, I wonder if thinking like an applied psychologist, and the scientific mindset, is something we have lost.
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. 1. Source pages: 3.
Happy Holidays to you and your family, Julie. As always, your monthly publication, The Psychology Times, is a wonderful and engaging read. The December 2022 issue (Vol. 13, No. 12) is no exception. While I could rave about multiple articles in this most recent issue, I particularly wanted to commend you on the article "Who Profits? The 50th Percentile EPPP Cut-Off." You (and those who contributed to your article) are to be thanked for taking the initiative to research the development and use of the EPPP, including the interplay of ASPPB with state licensing boards. The issues you raised and summarized (absence of predictive validity, the financial self-interest on the part of ASPPB, the impact of the 50th percentile cut-off on the licensing of new psychologists, and the adverse impact on minority applicants) should be conveyed broadly and in language that is easily understood. I believe your piece on the subject does the job! Finally, in acknowledging your Archimedes-inspired call for sick leave, I want to state the obvious: Whenever you cease to publish The Psychology Times, the field and practice of psychology will be diminished by the absence of your voice. This statement is not intended to pressure you into continuing until you are unable to write. It is intended to acknowledge the tremendous value you provide to the community. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Best wishes for the holidays and new year.
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. 1. Source pages: 1.
The Psychology Times 2022 COMMUNITY AWARDS
The Times staff scanned the 2022 news and activities and found glowing examples of community contributions and leadership. Based on principles of organizational and community psychology, we looked for creativity, win-win solutions, contributions to scientific truth, and improvements in subgroup functioning––and we easily found them. We gave bonuses for courage and vision, for those stepping out of their silos and comfort zones, and for going the extra mile. For our Community Awards we focus on these special people, some new and some regulars, who pushed for excellence in hoping to make our community better, who innovated and persevered, and who made that extra effort to improve our lives and the lives of others. We thank and honor them for their vision and dedication. The awards are scattered through the year-in-review article, pages 7 through 14.
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. 1. Source pages: 7.
INNOVATION – Dr. Beverly Stubblefield
"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" must be Dr. Beverly Stubblefield‘s motto. She endured violations of her Constitutional rights, culminating in a crashed career path. She picked herself up, dusted herself off, and, fueled by her creativity, faith, and passionate love of everything equestrian, morphed into a successful children's book author. In 2022 Beverly produced another delightful book based on her experiences in animal-assisted psychotherapy and her years of running The Equestrian Therapy Center in Slidell, an innovation that won her the New Orleans City Business Innovator award in 2007. After 30 years of clinical practice, Dr. Stubblefield is now retired and living with her husband Burt Kemp in rural North Mississippi, where she continues to enjoy writing (Bedtime Stories from the Barn), riding horses, and playing the organ for church.
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. 1. Source pages: 9.
INVOLVEMENT – ULL Psychology
It is hard to come up with a group of people who were more impressive in their ability to involve others and build a community of people and knowledge about psychology than those in the Psychology Department of University of Louisiana Lafayette. Perhaps it’s because they’re celebrating 100 years but they were out in force at the Southwestern Psychological Association convention in Baton Rouge in 2022. Drs. Amy Brown, Brooke Breaux, Theresa Wozencraft, Valanne MacGyvers, Manyu Li, and others, made their presence known and brought hordes of students with them. Top this off with the exceptional mentoring of Dr. Hung-Chu Lin, ULL Professor of Psychology, who has raised involvement and mentorship to a high-level. She was named for her mentoring by the University and also recognized by the state psychology association as the Janet R. Matthews, PhD, Outstanding Psychology Mentor. Community involvement at ULL is a model the rest of us should embrace.
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. 1. Source pages: 10.
MEDIA/EDUCATION – Dr. Marva Lewis
We were very impressed with Dr. Marva Lewis' newest book and the appeal she has created around the fascinating topic of hair and race. Dr. Lewis gathered her colleagues to produce a fascinating, creative and profound book, acknowledging the historical roots and practice of colorism, and laying out essential knowledge for those who work with children, supervise others, or engage in community-based efforts, and who want to remove racism at its core. The authors describe how historical roots of racism, through automatic and often unconscious reaction to racial features, can lead to the rejection of young children, early and dramatically, and become embedded in the youngster's self- concept. In an acknowledgment of the transmission of unconscious messaging, the authors explain how racial features may well be an unrecognized factor in the emotional response to children, and an unconscious issue in the quality of the attachment. Well done!
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 12. Source pages: 6.
Gov. Announces the Resignation of DCFS Sec. Marketa Walters
On November 10, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that he has accepted the resignation of Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Walters.
Walters, who has led the agency since 2016, has a long and distinguished career of working to improve the lives of Louisiana children and families, recognized nationally for her expertise. Her many accomplishments include implementing significant changes to the agency's approach to foster care through the Quality Parenting Initiative and working closely with Gov. Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards in establishing Louisiana Fosters, which provides support for foster children and parents, the announcement said.
Under her leadership, Louisiana has had a record number of adoptions from the foster care system, with more than 5,379 children and youth being united with their forever families since Gov. Edwards' first term in office.
"I'm grateful for Marketa's service to our state that has been fueled by her passion to create a better future for all children and families across Louisiana," said Gov. Edwards. "She has worked tirelessly to improve our foster care system and as a result, we have been able to help thousands of foster children find safe and nurturing permanent homes with loving adoptive families. In addition, Marketa has been on the front lines helping to provide shelter, nutrition and other much needed assistance to those directly impacted by natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her dedication as a public servant has never wavered, and there are countless Louisianans who have benefitted from her hard work and that of the many men and women who make up the agency.
"There is no denying that child welfare agencies nationwide are facing very difficult and complex challenges and Louisiana is no exception. Those issues include staff retention, high worker caseloads, increased substance and domestic abuse, and sadly the tragic deaths of innocent children. While there are no quick solutions, it is urgent that we find new and effective ways of addressing the problems to make certain we provide the help our families need and deserve and to move our agency forward. We have engaged a third-party expert organization to do a top-to-bottom review of DCFS and make recommendations on improvements to policies, practices, and personnel that can be made to ensure we are serving the children and families of Louisiana in the manner they deserve."
"The DCFS executive team will continue its work in evaluating and addressing the critical needs of the agency throughout this review. As Deputy Secretary, Terri Porche Ricks will serve as acting Secretary while the search for a new Secretary is being conducted. I will name a new Secretary to lead the agency as soon as possible."
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.