I. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 9:20 a.m. by Board Chair James Verser who read the notice of compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

II. ROLL CALL

Present:

Board Member, Ben Beitin
Board Member, Dawn M. Lacy
Board Member, J. Barry Mascari

Board Member, Edward Reading

Board Member, James Verser

Board Member, Ronald K. Walthall

Excused:

Board Member, Gina Kassel
Board Member, Amy E. Meckeler
Board Member, Judith Owens

Resigned:

Board Member, Samira Haddad Staff Present:
Executive Director, Elaine L. DeMars
Deputy Attorney General, Jodi C. Krugman
Administrative Staff, Celeste Paige
Administrative Staff, Aishah Figueroa

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

On a motion made by Ronald Walthall, seconded by J. Barry Mascari, and unanimous vote, the Public Session Minutes of the March 13, 2008 meeting were approved as corrected.

IV. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Elaine DeMars, briefly discussed the adoption of the regulations that incorporate changes made through the enactment of P.L. 2005, c. 49. The Board was advised that the current regulations are scheduled to sunset on March 22, 2009. Therefore, the Board will begin the task of reviewing the current regulations for clarification, correction, etc. Regulatory Analyst, Maryann Sheehan will attend the June 12, 2008 Board meeting to begin the review process. Ms. DeMars also informed the Board that the notifications for the 2008 - 2010 biennial period have been mailed to all licensed marriage and family therapists in the "active" status. All current licenses expire on June 30, 2008.

V. CORRESPONDENCE

A. Robin Bilazarian -

Ms. Bilazarian writes to request the Board’s guidance regarding the setting in which to provide continuing education to Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Professional Counselors. The Board will inform Ms. Bilazarian that it does not approve continuing education credit or courses. Ms Bilazarian will be referred to N.J.A.C. 13:34-8.3, which includes the list of approved continuing education providers.

B. John Williams -

In his letter Mr. Williams relates the difficulties in finding a position and an appropriate supervisor. Mr. Williams was denied licensure as a professional counselor based on his graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. The Board will inform Mr. Williams that the educational requirements are dictated by statute and regulation and therefore must satisfy the license-specific requirements. For information regarding approved supervisors, Mr. Williams will be referred to the State association. Finally, the Board will seek clarification of his current role to determine whether the work includes marriage and family therapy specific functions or general counseling. Board Chair James Verser suggested that as a matter of public advocacy, the Board may consider the creation of a committee to compile a list of eligible agencies/supervisors who may be willing to provide supervision for interns/graduates.

C. Kim Sumner-Mayer - Ms. Sumner-Mayer writes to request an extension to complete the 40 continuing education credits for the 2006 - 2008 renewal period. Based upon the justification provided, the Board will inform Ms. Sumner-Mayer that her request for an extension to complete the current requirement has been granted until October 31, 2008. Credits completed for the current renewal will not count toward the subsequent renewal.

LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY

A. Legislation

1. Legislative Report - First Quarter: January 1, 2008 - March 31, 2008

The Board reviewed and accepted the report as informational.

2. Pamphlet Laws 2007

The Board reviewed and accepted the following as informational:
P.L. 2007, c. 307

Provides that residence information shall not be disclosed to the public.

P.L. 2007, c. 216

Provides for religious accommodation regarding admission procedures at licensed health care facilities.

P.L. 2007, c. 337

Licensure of massage and body-work therapists.

B. Regulatory Analyst - Maryann Sheehan
N.J.A.C. 13:34 - 1 through10, March 22, 2009 Sunset

Ms. Sheehan reiterated the requirements for the regulation "Sunset" process. October 2008 will be the deadline for Board approval of any revisions. Board members were asked to review and prepare to begin to discuss the regulations on June 12. The Board will consider the formation of a committee to complete the review.

C. N.J.A.C. 10:200 - In-Community Mental Health Rehabilitative Services for Children, Youth and Young Adults PRN 2007-341.

The Board was provided with a copy of comments on the proposed rule submitted on behalf of the Division of Consumer Affairs. The Division, on behalf of the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, and the Board of Social Work Examiners requested that the proposal be amended on adoption to permit licensed social workers and licensed associate counselors to perform intensive in-community mental health rehabilitative services delivered face-to-face to children, youth and young adults in the home and/or community-based settings. Upon review, the Board noted the omission of marriage and family therapy permit holders in the Division comment. The Board will draft a letter to send to Acting Director DeMarzo to express their concerns with the omission.

VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Regulations Committee

Status of Three - Year Temporary Permit Application - Executive Director, Elaine DeMars reported that the revised Three - Year Temporary Permit application is in its final phase in print production and should be completed within the next few weeks.

B. Professional Counselor Examiners Committee

Professional Counselor Examiners Committee Chair Dr. J. Barry Mascari reports that based on the intensive graduate degree and course content review process, the current volume of application denial appeals and pursuant to the authority of N.J.S.A. 45:8B-38, the Committee has begun the process required to identify an acceptable accrediting body. The Committee continues in the effort to revise current regulations and will begin the regulations review for the "Sunset" process. Mr. Mascari also related the impact of Committee member and staff shortages on the application review process. Communication from the offices of state and federal legislators and officials advocating for applicants is frequently received.

C. Alcohol and Drug Counselors Committee

Alcohol and Drug liaison, Dr. Edward Reading reports that the Committee continues to address requests for course approval from the Center for Alcohol Studies at Rutgers University. The requests are for workshop model presentations. Dr. Reading briefly discussed a recent request for clarification from the Division of Addiction Services (D.A.S.) as to whether certification is required in order to perform IDRC screenings. Since two members of the Committee are involved in the IDRC program, the Board was asked to appoint two members to discuss the issue to render an opinion. Board Chair, James Verser and Professional Counselor Examiners Committee Chair, Barry Mascari will participate in discussion of the issue with Dr. Reading.

VII. NEXT MEETING

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board will be held May 8, 2008 at 9:00 a.m., 124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey.

VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION

On a motion by James Verser, seconded by Ronald Walthall , the Board moved to Executive Session at 10:45a.m. to discuss pending complaints and confidential matters.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Ronald Walthall, seconded by Gina Kassel, the meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.

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