Members Present
Ann Marie Rossing, Mona Wade, Mary Guth, Pam Beck, Morris Patzlaff, Kathy Sazama, Jerry Vanderlee, Susie VanDyke and Lori Williamson. The minutes of the January 21, 2006 meeting were approved by Mona and seconded by Kathy.
Additions to agenda
Ann Marie suggested that our next meeting be conducted by telephone conference. Mary suggested that members read the minutes prior to the phone conference to avoid repetition and save time – all agreed.
Treasure’s Report
Morris reported that the current balance is $2,917.26. There are outstanding expenses from the Leadership Conference.
Leadership Conference
Mary Guth and Pam Beck attended the conference. The trip to Capitol Hill was rewarding. We met with representatives for Senator Tim Johnson, Senator John Thune and Stephanie Herseth. Items discussed were: Family Therapists in the Schools which emphasized, that family therapists should be accessible to children in the schools by being listed as providers of mental health services under the “No Child Left Behind Act.” A second issue discussed was Medicare Coverage of Marriage and Family Therapists and the third issue was Veteran’s Access to Family Therapists. The issues were well received and support given by Stephanie Herseth and Tim Johnson. A portion of the time spent at the conference was reviewing the AAMFT Division Handbook. A review will be conducted at a latter date.
Newsletter
Mona stated that Larry Porter agreed to format the newsletter. It was suggested that we put the newsletter on our web site as a way to reduce the cost of mailings. Mary stated that the association has a database that has all the e-mail addresses and information for all clinical members as well as individuals who are not members. We will continue to work on this. Newsletter content: Ann Marie suggested that members consider compiling a brief review of a book or article that one has found helpful in clinical work. Another suggestion was to feature an LMFT from other areas. Mona has agreed to contact Mark Ventrella from Spearfish, SD. Pam offered to write an article about a course she recently taught at the North American Baptist Seminary for current and past Marriage and Family Therapy degree graduates: Preparing for the National Marriage and Family Therapy Exam. We will bring this up for discussion again during our next meeting.
Cookie Day
Kathy has reserved February 9, 2007.
Update on DakotaCare
DakotaCare does not cover LMFTs. Kathy has spoken to Roger Smith and Mona has worked with Scott Jamison on this issue. Mr. Jamison has reviewed the information and research and suggested they ask medical providers their opinions. Mona suggested that we represent our work and explain MFTs. The Center for Family Medicine supported a letter Mona had written. Mona will contact both Roger and Scott again.
Fall Conference
The Scream Free Parenting option has been tabled due to cost of their workshop. Kathy stated that Dr. Mike Bloom would be willing to participate in an ethics discussion. Kathy also brought up the idea of Craig Nakken from Minnesota who does addiction work. Mona stated that Joyce Voss recommended Thomas Harsel from Texas. Pam will talk with J.C. Chambers to see if he would be willing to conduct a two-hour presentation on ethics and children. Mary asked that someone else take over the fall conference responsibilities. Ann Marie suggested we establish a conference committee. The conference is scheduled for October 27, 2006. We will continue discussion about the conference agenda.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be a telephone conference. Ann Marie will email all with a time and date.
Meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Pam Beck