RULE REVISION LISTENING SESSION
11/7/2019 4:11:24 PM
Rule Revision Listening Session Summary – November 7, 2019
The following topics were brought up by LMFT stakeholders at the rule revision listening session held on November 7, 2019. The notes below represent a summary of comments made by the participants as part of a brainstorming session. The Board has not made any determinations about rule revisions and will take these comments under consideration as part of the rule review process.
Session commence: 2:33pm
Presider: Jennifer Mohlenhoff, Executive Director
Board consultant: Tierney Murphy
Board members present: Shonda Craft, Jessie Everts, Ukasha Dakane
Participants: Education programs (Adler Graduate School, Bethel University), MAMFT leadership, clinicians, business owners
A. Session overview – J.M. provided welcome to attendees and purpose of the meeting
1. August 1, 2016 was the most recent rule revision
2. Board would like to review rules on a consistent cycle (e.g., every 2 or 3 years), and engage stakeholders in this process.
3. This is the second listening session; there may be future sessions based on the feedback.
B. Brief introduction of attendees
Topics for Consideration
A. Rule 5300.0320: Continuing Education - Cultural competency
1. MAMFT has expressed a desire to have a specific CE to address cultural competency/culturally responsive care.
a. JM – similar to the 3 ethics CE adopted in rule in 2016, MAMFT has brought forth a proposal to have a similar mandatory requirement for 3 CE hours specifically in culturally responsive
• Suggestion to have a number of hours that is more conducive to conference attendance (e.g., 2 CE hours)
• How mindful is the Board of embedding this across all CE requirements, so that it is not just a “check the box” idea?
• What would be the criteria for determining what qualifies as culturally responsive content?
2. Consultation – would the Board be willing to recognize the value of this and integrate it as part of CE requirements? There are many ways to gain continuing education beyond simply attending workshops
3. Current requirements
a. This is the first reporting year that requires the 40 CE hours; must include 3 CE for ethics, 4 CE hours focused on supervision (approved supervisors only)
b. In May 2018, the Board rescinded delegation of authority to grant a 90-day extension to complete CE. Every MFT still has the ability to seek a variance to extend completion of CE on the basis of a hardship.
• There was a trend that 10% of licensure renewals were indicating a need for the 90-day extension.
• Although notice had been communicated to current licensees, a reminder that was sent in September 2019 was viewed as problematic.
o People viewed this as a process issue. The fact that Board did not consult decreases the value of the historically collaborative nature of the relationship between licensees and the regulatory board.
• Comment that there needs to be a systemic consideration of the hardships which may impede the ability to complete CEs
• The CE committee has received feedback about the change in policy and will consider further for full consideration of the Board
4. CE Approval
a. Prior approval of CE has not changed. CE must be Board-approved, although there is leniency on needing to obtain prior approval; 1,497 applications have been submitted in 2019.
b. Question whether to consider automatic approval of CEs from organizations like PESI, CE4Less. JM – unlikely to consider for-profit organizations, but focus on professional associations (AAMFT, MAMFT, APA, etc.)
B. Rule 5300.0150: Requirements for Supervisor
1. Currently, there is no additional responsibilities for determining that an applicant for Board-approved supervisor status has discussed supervision with any other person (unlike the mentoring/supervision-of-supervision requirements for AAMFT)
2. JM: We are the only health licensing board that specifically requires that supervision is conducted with a MFT for purposes of licensure.
a. The diversity of training, perspective and clinical experience could be beneficial to potential licensees
• Provide the ability to seek supervision from individuals licensed in other professions who have specific cultural experience/knowledge