AMHCA has partnered with the Clinical Social Work Federation to provide our members with access to HIPAA workshops that are specially designed for clinical social workers and mental health counselors.

The full-day training is offered at 14 locations across the United States from late February through early April. Practicing clinical social workers developed the program and materials in collaboration with expert health care attorneys specializing in HIPAA compliance.

**AMHCA members may register for the workshops at the discounted CSWF member rate.**

Registration includes a 2-part manual and CD with forms, policies and procedures that you can modify for your own use, helpful guides and the actual Federal HIPAA Regulations. Training includes:

• Overview of HIPAA
• HIPAA Avoidance--Factors requiring HIPAA Compliance
• Practitioner Compliance Analysis
• Practitioner's Action Plan for Compliance
• Consent Forms, Notice Forms, Practitioner's Policies and Procedures
• Questions and Answers with presenters

LMHCs working under DPH contracts
The Department of Public Health (DPH) has created a simple waiver procedure to allow LMHCs working in clinic and agencies with DPH contracts to become fully qualified members of clinical teams, able to diagnose, sign treatment plans, and supervise. If your agency has not done already this waiver for LMHC practice, please call the MaMHCA office at 508-698-0010 for information about how agencies can obtain this waiver.

LMHCs and Alcohol and Drug Licensure
The Department of Public Health has issued Regulations for Licensure for Alcohol and Drug Counselors, (105 CMR 168.000) and notified clinics and agencies of the provisions for licensure and grand-parenting. Individuals who may be interested in the grand-parenting process must file the form, "A Letter Of Intent To Grandparent Under The Drug & Alcohol Licensing Regulations" by September 13, 2003. The form can be obtained by e-mail or by calling 617-624-5148. The DPH anticipates the formal process for alcohol and drug counselor licensing will be available by Spring 2003. MaMHCA also wants to remind members that LMHCs, as well as Social Workers, Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, are exempt (section 5.a) from the licensing requirements of the 1999 Alcohol and Drug Counselor Legislation.

Secondary Trauma Resources for Mental Health Counselors
Information about secondary trauma and the support network is at AMHCA's web page.

Legislative News

Contacting Congress
There is a new, easy on-line procedure to contact your congressman. The URL is: http://www.house.gov/writerep/. Enter your zip code plus 4 and complete the form then submit a message.

Federal Mental Health Report
For anyone interested in the most recent Report for the President's Mental Health Commission, the report is available online.  

Activities for MaMHCA Western Mass Members
MaMHCA’s newly formed Western region Chapter had it’s third meeting Friday, February 27, 2003. The meeting was held at Springfield College, Locklin Hall Room # 329. The guest speaker was Glenn Lowery, Ph.D. and former Law Enforcement Officer. His topic was “Mental Health Counseling and Law Enforcement”. Glenn is currently a professor at Springfield College and Director of AmeriCorps Program. Western MA members will be receiving mailings about these special events. If you would like to participate you can reach Rick Paar or Guy Ciano at 413-748-3264, or via e-mail.

The MaMHCA CE Registry program provides a service to help MaMHCA members who are LMHCs accurately maintain their CE records. Developed at the request of many of our members, the CE Registry will maintain an accurate record of CE activities and appraise you of the status of your CE file each August. We will prepare a full listing for the Board in the event that you are audited at license renewal, and also make your CE records available to employers, MCOs and other entities at your request. Contact us for information. 

MaMHCA Offers Easy CE Opportunities at Home

1. Read the MaMHCA Messenger and earn CEUs! MaMHCA members will now be able to earn 1.5 CEs for reading the MaMHCA Messenger. Members can now read the Messenger, answer a short questionnaire (in crossword puzzle format) contained within each issue and send questionnaire and payment of $15.00 to MaMHCA for the CE certificate. 
2. Read Books at Home: MaMHCA offers a selection of books which may be read at home for CE credit. Contact us for information about the process and the list of approved books and related materials. 

Peer Supervision Program
Are you interested in forming a peer supervision group? MaMHCA is interested in supporting ongoing, peer supervision, and will make the MaMHCA office space available for supervision meetings for a nominal fee. If you are interested in establishing or participating in a peer supervision group, please call the MaMHCA office at 508-698-0010.