NC Psychological Association: in need of candidates running for office who have something useful to say about NC mental health reform

March 4, 2009

RE: voting for NCPA candidates

Dear Sally Cameron, Executive Director of the NC Psychological Association:

You sent this notice around twice now---regarding voting for NCPA candidates. I can appreciate that you want people to participate and vote. However, I see no good candidates. Therefore I am not voting.

Neither had anything to say about NC mental health reform. You can pass this on to them, if you like.

I will probably not rejoin next year because frankly issues that are important to me are never entertained by any mechanism e.g. the newsletter, the candidates, the board meetings in Western NC, telephone conversations w/ former presidents, etc.

The entire state is afire in the newspapers re: mental health issues, and the candidates have nothing but vague statements about 'trouble ahead.'

Marsha Hammond, PhD: NCPA member
*******************************
Here are the bios/ statements of the two people running for President of NCPA:

Here is that complete informationj as available for anyone on the NCPA website:

http://www.ncpsychology.com/html/2009%20BIO%20STATEMENTS.pdf

Here is what President Elect Candidate,JILLAYNE HOLLIFIELD, Ph.D mentioned about 'being troubled':

"...I am deeply concerned with the remarkable changes in the availability of psychological services for consumers as well as with the ever-changing professional climate for psychologists, whether in clinical practice, education, or research. This is a time of transition and change for our nation. It is also a time of apprehension and uncertainty. .."

Here is what President Elect Candidate, Jennifer Snyder, Ph.D, mentioned about being concerned. Moreover, in particular I would not vote for anyone associated w/ the NCPA Legislative Committee after attempting multiple times via e mails to get a response from them about specific questions regarding mental health reform matters and the practice of psychologists in NC----and had one e mail back essentially stating: 'well get back to you'; they never did. Moreover, my experience of reality re: 'feeling being supported' is completely different re:what I stated above: little to no salient information about the biggest matter e.g., NC Mental Health Reform, impacting psychologists EVER:

"...She joined NCPA in 1998, becoming a member of the Legislative Committee in 2000, and has served as Chair of that committee since 2003.....I am continually impressed by and appreciative of the outstanding work by NCPA to support psychology and psychologists in this state,....."
*************************
And that's it: the two candidates who vaguely talk about being a figurehead regarding what should be a useful organization for NC psychologists. As far as I am concerned, I might as well be trying to talk to NC DHHS. I have no place at the table. The best I can do is make endless complaints to the system, about the system, in hopes that someone, somewhere will feel responsible enough to do something about very pressing issues. For more specific information, see my blog: http://madame-defarge.blogspot.com/

*************************
What would I say if I ran for NCPA President?:

Something like this:

"Since NC Mental Health Reform was instituted in NC, public sector psychologists, in particular, have been challenged in terms of interfacing with NC DHHS, their local LME's, Value Options, Medicare billing practices, uses of Health & Behavior codes (which recoup psychologists fees at the 80/20 ratio rather than the more commonly used 50/50 psychotherapy codes). NCPA is seeking to actively engage psychologists attempting to work within that NC Mental Health Reform system and I would like to solicit this as an opportunity for psychologists to efficiently participate and have a real seat at the table regarding mental health reform and their concerns in terms of practice as well as the impact NC Mental Health Reform has had on their clients."

When I see something like that, I'll vote.

Marsha V. Hammond, PhD