Bravo to the physicians for speaking against the upcoming cuts in Medicare reimbursements and the threat of refusal of accepting more patients in their medical practices. How come mental health professionals can’t follow this same pursuit?
Our profession has a big white elephant in our presence for refusing to speak out against cuts in payments for providing mental health services to our clients.
I will give you an example on what I am talking about. Two years, one big powerful health insurance company in Central Massachusetts cut reimbursements from $ 55.00 to $ 50.00 for providing mental health services to their clients. There are two things wrong: 1) Why on earth are mental health professionals taking their clients for low pay? 2) Where is the threat from the profession to stop taking their clients when the rate dropped to $ 50.00?
I have more pet peeve with this provider. Last Spring, they implemented a new conversion of billing claims with their contracted provider to pay mental health professionals. It has been a nightmare in getting paid on time. From June to November, I called the contact in provider relations to complain that I was not being paid for my services. Due to my constant telephone calling on a weekly basis, I was paid for one claim in October after I saw the client in April. In November, I was paid for two claims (after being overpaid twice) after I saw the client in June. As I write this blogpost, I am still have not been paid for ten claims since September to October due to their billing company losing the claims and my bookkeeper having to fax the claims to their supervisor.
Isn’t this ridiculous and insult to injury to fellow counselors?
Regarding low reimbursement rates, this health insurance company does not value the work that we do in our state. I am very disappointed with the leadership from both the mental health counselor and social work association for not speaking out on these two issues.
Regarding this horrible billing system, many complaints have been noted on their annual feedback form that the health insurance emailed to use to fill out this year.
You may ask why we continue to take their clients. There are two reasons: 1) In my area, many companies have switched from Blue Cross to this provider who have cheaper rates. 2) Getting private pay clients is not happening. In fact, many working families are now on the state medicaid system due to not being able to purchase an affordable health insurance commercial program.
What can we do about these issues?
1) The state social work and mental health counselor association need to speak out against this insulting low reimbursement rates.
2) They also need to meet with this provider to negotiate a high reimbursement rate to accept their clients.
3) If the above two tactics don’t work, then I advocate that the two associations call for a statewide boycott of accepting more clients from this provider.
I don’t know if the velvet glove approach will. I welcome your comments.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Is Blood Thicker Than Water?
I heard about a very sad event that an adoptive single parent endured this past week. She had to relinquish her 17 month old preadoptive son from the state foster care system to his biological father. Apparently, the birth mother told the state who the father was after a year in which she refused to identify him at birth. The birth mother held back the information due to her belief she would get custody back of her baby after she cleaned up her act in a drug rehabilitation facility. When the birth mother found out her parental rights were terminated this year, she decided to identify the birth father so she can still see her son in his custody. What a tragedy for this parent and for this baby.
How did this happen? In Massachusetts, the foster care/adoption system runs a little differently as opposed to doing a domestic adoption from a licensed agency. For the former, there is no system in place to post announcements in public newspapers that call birth fathers to identify themselves during the adoption hearings. For the latter, this system is in place. If the birth father does not show up during an adoption hearing, his rights are terminated.
As a counselor, I believe that the foster system for preadoptions is broken. I have heard of other similar cases where children were going to be adopted by their foster parents and liberal judges painfully tore them away and placed them with biological relatives who came out of no where. This dysfunctional process hurts the attachment bonds between the children and preadoptive parents. The slogan, “ Blood is Thicker than Water, “ is bogus and harmful to preadoptive families.
In 2005, I taught a class to non-traditional students entitled, “Functional Families,” which defines families as a group of individuals living together and establishing healthy bonds regardless how they were formed. This definition needs to be taught to judges and lawyers who create outdated laws that hurt adoption options for families who want to be parents.
What can the counseling profession do about it? We need to be vocal in educating lawmakers about antiquated laws that say a family is made by DNA only. We also need to promote equal laws and processes for both the foster care and domestic adoption systems in your state.
Counselors can educate legislators about the broken attachment bonds that can develop between a child and adoptive parents when their adoption is “interrupted” and a child is forced back with their biological parents. Massachusetts promotes unhealthy families when they reunite children with their biological parents who are not capable of parenting them. This policy goes against the mission that both the social work and counseling professions hold in promoting healthy development and growth and the fullest potential in individuals and in families.
We can do something as a collective to make positive changes.
I welcome your feedback.
Robbin Miller
Moderator
How did this happen? In Massachusetts, the foster care/adoption system runs a little differently as opposed to doing a domestic adoption from a licensed agency. For the former, there is no system in place to post announcements in public newspapers that call birth fathers to identify themselves during the adoption hearings. For the latter, this system is in place. If the birth father does not show up during an adoption hearing, his rights are terminated.
As a counselor, I believe that the foster system for preadoptions is broken. I have heard of other similar cases where children were going to be adopted by their foster parents and liberal judges painfully tore them away and placed them with biological relatives who came out of no where. This dysfunctional process hurts the attachment bonds between the children and preadoptive parents. The slogan, “ Blood is Thicker than Water, “ is bogus and harmful to preadoptive families.
In 2005, I taught a class to non-traditional students entitled, “Functional Families,” which defines families as a group of individuals living together and establishing healthy bonds regardless how they were formed. This definition needs to be taught to judges and lawyers who create outdated laws that hurt adoption options for families who want to be parents.
What can the counseling profession do about it? We need to be vocal in educating lawmakers about antiquated laws that say a family is made by DNA only. We also need to promote equal laws and processes for both the foster care and domestic adoption systems in your state.
Counselors can educate legislators about the broken attachment bonds that can develop between a child and adoptive parents when their adoption is “interrupted” and a child is forced back with their biological parents. Massachusetts promotes unhealthy families when they reunite children with their biological parents who are not capable of parenting them. This policy goes against the mission that both the social work and counseling professions hold in promoting healthy development and growth and the fullest potential in individuals and in families.
We can do something as a collective to make positive changes.
I welcome your feedback.
Robbin Miller
Moderator
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Bullying: A Counselor's Perspective
Massachusetts passed a new law entitled, "An Act Relative to Bullying in Schools," in 2010. The purpose of this new law is to "create more positive school climates and age-appropriate instruction on bullying prevention in each grade, and schools must offer information to parents on bullying prevention." (Worcester Medicine, July/August 2010). School personnel (teachers, guidance counselors, aides, bus drives and cafeteria workers) are required to report incidents to the appropriate officials for them to investigate and to take disciplinary actions when appropriate. Bullying includes not only verbal, physical and written repeated acts of aggression and gestures but now includes cyberbullying through electronic means-Facebook; Twitter; Emails; Texting, and through other electronic devices.
As counselors, we see the direct effects on bullying on our clients who come to us with a variety of symptoms:low self-esteem; sadness; agitation; anxiety and fears; nightmares; refusal to go to school; bed wetting; binge eating; and low school performance. Sometimes, some parents just don't know what is going on their with child because their child is either afraid or ashamed to tell them. For a boy raised in a home with a male parent/caretaker being macho and proud and/or culture promoting this environment, he may be afraid to tell him for fear of ridicule or shame. For girls, it may be a little easier due to cultural acceptance to share with their parents/caretakes. However, both girls and boys may be afraid to tell due to fear of being a snitch in school or are facing similar abuses at home where they don't know who to tell or to trust.
I provide my clients a booklet put by the American Medical Association Alliance entitled, "You Don't Have to Be Bullied," (2006) that tells a story of cartoon character by the name of Keith who is experiencing symptoms anxiety and nervousness due to a kid picking on him in school. The booklet provides good and bad choices in handling a bully in school ,and most of all, promoting prosocial behaviors of being calm and cool in dealing with these situations.
However, I need to share with you one caveat that was discussed at a past work meeting this week. Despite teaching our clients to handle bullying in a positive way, a fellow colleague suggested that letting the student punch back the bully would cease it. Honestly, I punched a girl in high school who kept repeatedly taunting me for weeks at a cooking class in high school in the 1980's. The teacher ignored it and my peers did nothing about it. I had enough as I got tired of ignoring it and could not take her hitting me one day in class. I hit her back but the teacher did nothing to stop it. After this incident, the girl became my friend in school. As I look back on this encounter and teach my clients coping skills to deal with a bully, I sometimes find it hard to not agree with their parents' suggestion and my colleague's comment "to punch back" to defend yourself if nothing is done to positively stop it.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
As counselors, we see the direct effects on bullying on our clients who come to us with a variety of symptoms:low self-esteem; sadness; agitation; anxiety and fears; nightmares; refusal to go to school; bed wetting; binge eating; and low school performance. Sometimes, some parents just don't know what is going on their with child because their child is either afraid or ashamed to tell them. For a boy raised in a home with a male parent/caretaker being macho and proud and/or culture promoting this environment, he may be afraid to tell him for fear of ridicule or shame. For girls, it may be a little easier due to cultural acceptance to share with their parents/caretakes. However, both girls and boys may be afraid to tell due to fear of being a snitch in school or are facing similar abuses at home where they don't know who to tell or to trust.
I provide my clients a booklet put by the American Medical Association Alliance entitled, "You Don't Have to Be Bullied," (2006) that tells a story of cartoon character by the name of Keith who is experiencing symptoms anxiety and nervousness due to a kid picking on him in school. The booklet provides good and bad choices in handling a bully in school ,and most of all, promoting prosocial behaviors of being calm and cool in dealing with these situations.
However, I need to share with you one caveat that was discussed at a past work meeting this week. Despite teaching our clients to handle bullying in a positive way, a fellow colleague suggested that letting the student punch back the bully would cease it. Honestly, I punched a girl in high school who kept repeatedly taunting me for weeks at a cooking class in high school in the 1980's. The teacher ignored it and my peers did nothing about it. I had enough as I got tired of ignoring it and could not take her hitting me one day in class. I hit her back but the teacher did nothing to stop it. After this incident, the girl became my friend in school. As I look back on this encounter and teach my clients coping skills to deal with a bully, I sometimes find it hard to not agree with their parents' suggestion and my colleague's comment "to punch back" to defend yourself if nothing is done to positively stop it.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Happy Birthday ADA!
Please click on link to my blogpost on www.counseling.org.
http://happy-birthday-to-you-ada-americans-with-disabilities-act
http://happy-birthday-to-you-ada-americans-with-disabilities-act
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The Assembly Line Transformation
Imagine a cartoon of three slides: The first slide is a line of clients in an outpatient office waiting to be seen by a clinician on a Friday. The second slide is the clinician trying to focus but is showing signs of fatigue by yawning and looking at the clock. The last slide is the client leaving the office and the clinician swimming in gold bag of green dollars bills. Read on...
A new trend of how to make money in outpatient counseling services is upon us. Despite new laws to reform mental health services for children in Massachusetts, some agencies and entities are still facing financial losses serving clients on Mass Health. In order to stay afloat, some of these for-profit and non-profit entities are using "carrots" with clinicians to keep their doors open. The new gimmick is to offer financial rewards, for example, $ 500.00 for those clinicians who see a certain number of clients a week, 30-40 for a certain period of time. Honestly, this new incentive is enticing and rewarding, but it is really so?
In my professional opinion, I believe that the quality of offering compassionate and caring services can be difficult to establish on this "new assembly line" business model. I remember the old days when clincians earn decent salaries for seeing 16-20 clients a week which was not so long ago. This caseload is much more manageable for clinicans to have time to do their paperwork properly, take care of their own mental health needs during the day, and most of all, establish healthy workable relationships with their clients.
I ponder the following questions on this new business model:
1) How can clinicians establish quality relationship with their clients if a bag of gold awaits them in the new future?
2)How do you prevent burnout? The answer that scheduling 35 clients a week is not an acceptable answer though it is a cold reality on how to accomplish seeing 30 clients a week.
3) How do you prevent possible unethical behaviors such as fraudlent billing? For example, seeing clients for a half hour and then billing an hour for services?
Isn't time for a healthy dialogue to be established with national associations for social workers and counselors to see this new business model is feasible?
How about clinicians learning how to lobby their legislators to change the way counseling agencies are reimbursed by Medicaid? Please note that agencies don't get paid for no-shows for medicaid clients.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
A new trend of how to make money in outpatient counseling services is upon us. Despite new laws to reform mental health services for children in Massachusetts, some agencies and entities are still facing financial losses serving clients on Mass Health. In order to stay afloat, some of these for-profit and non-profit entities are using "carrots" with clinicians to keep their doors open. The new gimmick is to offer financial rewards, for example, $ 500.00 for those clinicians who see a certain number of clients a week, 30-40 for a certain period of time. Honestly, this new incentive is enticing and rewarding, but it is really so?
In my professional opinion, I believe that the quality of offering compassionate and caring services can be difficult to establish on this "new assembly line" business model. I remember the old days when clincians earn decent salaries for seeing 16-20 clients a week which was not so long ago. This caseload is much more manageable for clinicans to have time to do their paperwork properly, take care of their own mental health needs during the day, and most of all, establish healthy workable relationships with their clients.
I ponder the following questions on this new business model:
1) How can clinicians establish quality relationship with their clients if a bag of gold awaits them in the new future?
2)How do you prevent burnout? The answer that scheduling 35 clients a week is not an acceptable answer though it is a cold reality on how to accomplish seeing 30 clients a week.
3) How do you prevent possible unethical behaviors such as fraudlent billing? For example, seeing clients for a half hour and then billing an hour for services?
Isn't time for a healthy dialogue to be established with national associations for social workers and counselors to see this new business model is feasible?
How about clinicians learning how to lobby their legislators to change the way counseling agencies are reimbursed by Medicaid? Please note that agencies don't get paid for no-shows for medicaid clients.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Mental Health Professionals Deserve Respect and Credit
Remember Rodney Dangerfield's famous quote," I can't get respect." His famous quote can be applied to the mental health professionals in Massachusetts who are under intense pressure to produce or be terminated. Many of my colleagues including myself are being pressured to see a certain number of clients on Medicaid or risk losing our jobs. The new mental health law for children and adolescents have not improved the quality of services as many families are still waiting for intensive mental health services throughout the state as the number on the waiting lists is increasing day by day. Also, many families are waiting weeks for outpatient services for their children as the insurance companies have decreased the number of sessions and rates for this type of service.
How can agencies and organizations retain qualified licensed mental health counselors including social workers if they are being threatened to lose their jobs due to inequitable productivity standards and unhealthy working conditions? The intense pressue is causing many of my colleagues to endure significant health problems such as high pressure; obesity; lack of sleep; and depression and anxiety attacks. How ironic that the helping profession is encountering the similar issues that our clients face on a daily basis in their lives. How can the mental health profession be respected and credible if they can't clean up their own "their house" without interfering in their ability to serve their clients?
We need to have our state organizations that represent both mental health counselors and social workers to conduct a study on the adverse effects on how the new mental health law is affecting the quality of our work. After the study is completed, the Presidents of both organizations need to have a hearing at the State House with the legislators to promote better quality services for our clients and for our clinicians.
Please note it is very difficult to work with a transient population (on Medicaid) that is known for high no-shows; cancellations; and closures every month. Unfortunately, the clinicians get blamed from management who have no idea how frustrating it is to work this clientele. Double-booking is not the answer as some clinicians will see both clients for a half hour each ,and then bill for a full hourly session to keep their numbers up. I do not engage in this type of practice as it is illegal and unethical to do.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Moderator
How can agencies and organizations retain qualified licensed mental health counselors including social workers if they are being threatened to lose their jobs due to inequitable productivity standards and unhealthy working conditions? The intense pressue is causing many of my colleagues to endure significant health problems such as high pressure; obesity; lack of sleep; and depression and anxiety attacks. How ironic that the helping profession is encountering the similar issues that our clients face on a daily basis in their lives. How can the mental health profession be respected and credible if they can't clean up their own "their house" without interfering in their ability to serve their clients?
We need to have our state organizations that represent both mental health counselors and social workers to conduct a study on the adverse effects on how the new mental health law is affecting the quality of our work. After the study is completed, the Presidents of both organizations need to have a hearing at the State House with the legislators to promote better quality services for our clients and for our clinicians.
Please note it is very difficult to work with a transient population (on Medicaid) that is known for high no-shows; cancellations; and closures every month. Unfortunately, the clinicians get blamed from management who have no idea how frustrating it is to work this clientele. Double-booking is not the answer as some clinicians will see both clients for a half hour each ,and then bill for a full hourly session to keep their numbers up. I do not engage in this type of practice as it is illegal and unethical to do.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Moderator
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Gauntlet Pests
Below is a letter to the editor I wrote to a blog moderator entitled, "Shrewsburied."
Please see the comments I received for advocating for equal rights for persons with disabilities.
I am asking for the community to support full handicap accessibility for the forthcoming conversion of the Sumner House to a funeral home that will be opening up in June 2010. A member of the Historical Commission inquired about filing a variance (when he met with the Shrewsbury Commission on Disabilities in March 2010) with the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (AAB)to preserve parts of the Sumner House for historical purposes. The Commission made it clear in their minutes that the funeral home needs to be accessible including a handicap bathroom for the public use.
As in the past, Shrewsbury has an ugly history of preserving historical significance of old buildings at the expense against persons with disabilities. We need the community support to make the funeral home a public place for all to attend. If the funeral home does not become fully handicap accessibility, then it needs to put a big sign in neon color that says, "Persons with Disabilities" are not allowed" as a state entity would recommend to this business owner.
I guarantee that the disability advocates and this state entity and the AAB will not support a variance to be approved.
Robbin Miller
Advocate
Comments:
Robbin is just one more example of the gaunlet of pests you have to run trying to locate a business in this town. It's no wonder we have no commercial tax base to speak of. Why would a business owner subject themselves to this?
Well, I suppose it is the law, but since when is it any of the state/town's business what I do with private property. I can see making sure that it isn't a fire trap or that it is going to fall down on someone's head, but seriously, the handicap accessible laws are dumb. The mirror in the bathroom has to tilt down, that is a goofy one I have seen. These laws exist for the soul purpose of enriching lawyers who file suit.
Robbin, where did you come up with this? Don't you think you owe it to people to find out what's going on before you publicly slander them?
My comments: As you see the above comments are hurtful and people are entitled to their opinions. I did put the source on where I got the above info in a comment before these comments were posted. It is not easy being an advocate for change, but it needs to be put out there for awareness and doing the right thing.
Please see the comments I received for advocating for equal rights for persons with disabilities.
I am asking for the community to support full handicap accessibility for the forthcoming conversion of the Sumner House to a funeral home that will be opening up in June 2010. A member of the Historical Commission inquired about filing a variance (when he met with the Shrewsbury Commission on Disabilities in March 2010) with the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (AAB)to preserve parts of the Sumner House for historical purposes. The Commission made it clear in their minutes that the funeral home needs to be accessible including a handicap bathroom for the public use.
As in the past, Shrewsbury has an ugly history of preserving historical significance of old buildings at the expense against persons with disabilities. We need the community support to make the funeral home a public place for all to attend. If the funeral home does not become fully handicap accessibility, then it needs to put a big sign in neon color that says, "Persons with Disabilities" are not allowed" as a state entity would recommend to this business owner.
I guarantee that the disability advocates and this state entity and the AAB will not support a variance to be approved.
Robbin Miller
Advocate
Comments:
Robbin is just one more example of the gaunlet of pests you have to run trying to locate a business in this town. It's no wonder we have no commercial tax base to speak of. Why would a business owner subject themselves to this?
Well, I suppose it is the law, but since when is it any of the state/town's business what I do with private property. I can see making sure that it isn't a fire trap or that it is going to fall down on someone's head, but seriously, the handicap accessible laws are dumb. The mirror in the bathroom has to tilt down, that is a goofy one I have seen. These laws exist for the soul purpose of enriching lawyers who file suit.
Robbin, where did you come up with this? Don't you think you owe it to people to find out what's going on before you publicly slander them?
My comments: As you see the above comments are hurtful and people are entitled to their opinions. I did put the source on where I got the above info in a comment before these comments were posted. It is not easy being an advocate for change, but it needs to be put out there for awareness and doing the right thing.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Childhood Obesity: How can Counselors Help?
Worcester Medicine, a publication by the Worcester District Medical Society, focused on Childhood Obesity for the Mar/April 2010 edition.
According to the current statistics by the Centers for Disease Control on Janauary 22d, 2010, two thirds of adults and one fifth of children are overweight or obese and 20% of youths have abnormal lipid levels (Lebow, 2010, p 18).
As counselors, we are aware of the adverse effects of the poverty that attribute to high obesity levels in our clients such as the high costs and unavailaiblity to buy healthy foods; increase television watching (which commercials promote fat foods toward children) and computer use and addiction; lack of physical space for recreational activities and exercise; and parents/caretakers not being educated on healthy foods preparation for their children.
The medical community in Worcester are taking steps to promote healthy eating for children through the use of different programs in the elementary schools, the communities; and in the doctor's offices. In addition, the State of Massachusetts has launched a new website entitled, "Mass in Motion", www.mass.gov/massinmotion which focuses on healthy eating choices and physical exercise.
What can the counseling profession do to help decrease obesity in our clients?
Here are some suggestions:
Individual/Family: I support physical exercise as a viable option for children and teens to use as a coping skill to decrease their mental health symptoms as part of their treatment plans. I encourage all clients to check with their primary care physician first before engaging in any exercise program. I also ask that families to engage in a physical activity such as going for walks to increase bonding time with their children and/or having a sit down dinner with healthy foods.
Clinic/Agency: Why not have brochures and resources available in the waiting room for families to peruse while they are waiting for us to see them? Counselors can also give out these materials to their clients, if relevant, during the sessions.
Community/State:Is it possible for state chapters from the Social Work; Psychologists, and Mental Health entities to sponsor local programs for their clients and/or training sessions for their colleagues for CEU credit on the above topic? Also, these entities can have their voices heard when their state legislatures want to propose a tax on a candy and soda to decrease consumption use by children. In Masachachusetts, this tax idea has opposition from a few state legislators and the medical community for a variety of reasons.
Federal: National Associations from above can have their voices heard in promoting the government's agenda to decrease obesity and to increase healthier eating and lifestyles for children across the US. Also, the advocacy personnel and/or lobbyists from these entities can meet with Congress to provide their input and ideas as well.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
Resource:
Lebow, R. (2010). How can we lighten a heavy problem? Worcester Medicine:Worcester District Medical Society.
According to the current statistics by the Centers for Disease Control on Janauary 22d, 2010, two thirds of adults and one fifth of children are overweight or obese and 20% of youths have abnormal lipid levels (Lebow, 2010, p 18).
As counselors, we are aware of the adverse effects of the poverty that attribute to high obesity levels in our clients such as the high costs and unavailaiblity to buy healthy foods; increase television watching (which commercials promote fat foods toward children) and computer use and addiction; lack of physical space for recreational activities and exercise; and parents/caretakers not being educated on healthy foods preparation for their children.
The medical community in Worcester are taking steps to promote healthy eating for children through the use of different programs in the elementary schools, the communities; and in the doctor's offices. In addition, the State of Massachusetts has launched a new website entitled, "Mass in Motion", www.mass.gov/massinmotion which focuses on healthy eating choices and physical exercise.
What can the counseling profession do to help decrease obesity in our clients?
Here are some suggestions:
Individual/Family: I support physical exercise as a viable option for children and teens to use as a coping skill to decrease their mental health symptoms as part of their treatment plans. I encourage all clients to check with their primary care physician first before engaging in any exercise program. I also ask that families to engage in a physical activity such as going for walks to increase bonding time with their children and/or having a sit down dinner with healthy foods.
Clinic/Agency: Why not have brochures and resources available in the waiting room for families to peruse while they are waiting for us to see them? Counselors can also give out these materials to their clients, if relevant, during the sessions.
Community/State:Is it possible for state chapters from the Social Work; Psychologists, and Mental Health entities to sponsor local programs for their clients and/or training sessions for their colleagues for CEU credit on the above topic? Also, these entities can have their voices heard when their state legislatures want to propose a tax on a candy and soda to decrease consumption use by children. In Masachachusetts, this tax idea has opposition from a few state legislators and the medical community for a variety of reasons.
Federal: National Associations from above can have their voices heard in promoting the government's agenda to decrease obesity and to increase healthier eating and lifestyles for children across the US. Also, the advocacy personnel and/or lobbyists from these entities can meet with Congress to provide their input and ideas as well.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
Resource:
Lebow, R. (2010). How can we lighten a heavy problem? Worcester Medicine:Worcester District Medical Society.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
TWo Civil Rights Violations in Massachusetts
Blantant civil rights violations are happening for individuals with disabilities.
Two civil rights have occurred in the Central Massachusetts area concerning two individuals with disabilities during the special senate election and to one of the individuals concerning riding public transportation. Here are their stories:
1)DM is an individual who is legally blind and is caucasian. DM said that for the last few years, she has been denied access to use the automark voting booth that has been set up for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This machine enables individuals to wear a headset to mark their votes and then have their ballots printed afterwards to put into voting box.
This year, DM had enough. She asked an observer (who is a city official for Human Rights) to observe the hassles she endures everytime she wants to use the automark machine. DM did ask to use the automark machine and the poll worker gave her an attitude by wanting to use it. DM did cast her vote using the automark machine. Her ballot printed and she went to put into the voting box to record her votes. Unfortunately, the voting box rejected her ballot due to the ink used in the automark machine. A police officer tried to fix this ink problem but to no avail the voting box still rejected her ballot. The observer took DM's ballot and use a blank ink pen to darken the lines connecting her choices. The observe put the ballot in the voting box that was finally accepted. DM felt her voting rights were violated due to not having her voting choices be made in private. Also, both DM and the observer found out how the poll workers were aware of the ink problems associated with the automark machines on voting day and did nothing to correct this problem. This same problem happened to another person with a physical disability at another voting booth in a different area of Worcester. At this voting area, the poll workers knew of the ink problems associated with one handicap accessible voting booth that was not corrected as well.
Both individuals are filing civil right complaints with the Disability Law Center and the Department of Justice for voting rights violations.
2) DM is experiencing ongoing civil rights violations when she rides the public buses. According to the federal law for buses, the drivers have to announce the stops so individuals who are blind or visually impaired can hear the stops and get off at their destinations or hear the bus numbers anounced before they board the right bus. DM told an official at the bus company of this problem in December 2009. The next day, this official send out a memo to all drivers mandating that they announce call outs at major stops along bus routes. Unfortunately, the drivers are still not announcing the stops when DM is riding the buses in February 2010. DM will be filing a complaint with the Department of Justice.
In summary, advocacy groups and providers will be signing onto these complaints as soon as they file. A press conference will be forthcoming as well.
I will keep you informed of the outcome.
Two civil rights have occurred in the Central Massachusetts area concerning two individuals with disabilities during the special senate election and to one of the individuals concerning riding public transportation. Here are their stories:
1)DM is an individual who is legally blind and is caucasian. DM said that for the last few years, she has been denied access to use the automark voting booth that has been set up for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This machine enables individuals to wear a headset to mark their votes and then have their ballots printed afterwards to put into voting box.
This year, DM had enough. She asked an observer (who is a city official for Human Rights) to observe the hassles she endures everytime she wants to use the automark machine. DM did ask to use the automark machine and the poll worker gave her an attitude by wanting to use it. DM did cast her vote using the automark machine. Her ballot printed and she went to put into the voting box to record her votes. Unfortunately, the voting box rejected her ballot due to the ink used in the automark machine. A police officer tried to fix this ink problem but to no avail the voting box still rejected her ballot. The observer took DM's ballot and use a blank ink pen to darken the lines connecting her choices. The observe put the ballot in the voting box that was finally accepted. DM felt her voting rights were violated due to not having her voting choices be made in private. Also, both DM and the observer found out how the poll workers were aware of the ink problems associated with the automark machines on voting day and did nothing to correct this problem. This same problem happened to another person with a physical disability at another voting booth in a different area of Worcester. At this voting area, the poll workers knew of the ink problems associated with one handicap accessible voting booth that was not corrected as well.
Both individuals are filing civil right complaints with the Disability Law Center and the Department of Justice for voting rights violations.
2) DM is experiencing ongoing civil rights violations when she rides the public buses. According to the federal law for buses, the drivers have to announce the stops so individuals who are blind or visually impaired can hear the stops and get off at their destinations or hear the bus numbers anounced before they board the right bus. DM told an official at the bus company of this problem in December 2009. The next day, this official send out a memo to all drivers mandating that they announce call outs at major stops along bus routes. Unfortunately, the drivers are still not announcing the stops when DM is riding the buses in February 2010. DM will be filing a complaint with the Department of Justice.
In summary, advocacy groups and providers will be signing onto these complaints as soon as they file. A press conference will be forthcoming as well.
I will keep you informed of the outcome.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A Community Activist that fought for Social Justice for Youth and Families
I dedicate this blog to Mrs. Beatrice Feingold of Worcester, Massachusetts. Bea's social justice work for children and families emanates from her Jewish background. In the Jewish religion, Tikkun Olam, is about "fixing the ills of society." Bea did not attend any formal educational institution to learn how to do her social justice work. Bea was a housewife raising two children in the 1950's where women stayed at home while their husbands worked all day. However, Bea was a dedicated and smart volunteer for various organizations mentioned below. Bea knew how to lead and to persuade "the powers to be" to implement services and programs for youth and families in Worcester County.
Beatrice and I worked on the Elder Affairs Committee for the National Council of Jewish Women(NCJW)-Worcester Section from 1999-2010. We tried through trial and error on what types of programs would be successful for Jewish elders. In 2006, Beatrice and I decided to have two Jewish programs-Meals on Wheels and Jewish Healthcare Center-to select their own entertainers for Chankukah and for Purim celebrations where NCJW would pay for them. We have received positive feedback from both groups since then. I am proud that Beatrice Feingold was my mentor. I will miss her.
"She was a Past President of the Women's Division of the Worcester Jewish Federation, a Past President of Worcester Section of the National Council of Jewish Women as well as a Past President of the New England Region of the National Council of Jewish Women, and was a Past President of the Worcester Section of the National Women's Committee of Brandeis University. She was one of the founders of the Worcester Area Community Service, the predecessor of the U.S. Job Corps. She was a long time member of Temple Emanuel and its Sisterhood and for many years was in charge of its public relations committee.
She was a long time member of Mt. Pleasant Country Club and the Worcester Interfaith Council. She had been an active volunteer for the Jewish Healthcare Center, the Jewish Community Center, and for over 30 years, she was a volunteer for Head Start.In 1962, she, along with 200 Women Community Leaders throughout the country, was invited to The White House to discuss volunteerism in Community Service."
Source:Telegram and Gazette Obituary, 2/3/10.
Beatrice and I worked on the Elder Affairs Committee for the National Council of Jewish Women(NCJW)-Worcester Section from 1999-2010. We tried through trial and error on what types of programs would be successful for Jewish elders. In 2006, Beatrice and I decided to have two Jewish programs-Meals on Wheels and Jewish Healthcare Center-to select their own entertainers for Chankukah and for Purim celebrations where NCJW would pay for them. We have received positive feedback from both groups since then. I am proud that Beatrice Feingold was my mentor. I will miss her.
"She was a Past President of the Women's Division of the Worcester Jewish Federation, a Past President of Worcester Section of the National Council of Jewish Women as well as a Past President of the New England Region of the National Council of Jewish Women, and was a Past President of the Worcester Section of the National Women's Committee of Brandeis University. She was one of the founders of the Worcester Area Community Service, the predecessor of the U.S. Job Corps. She was a long time member of Temple Emanuel and its Sisterhood and for many years was in charge of its public relations committee.
She was a long time member of Mt. Pleasant Country Club and the Worcester Interfaith Council. She had been an active volunteer for the Jewish Healthcare Center, the Jewish Community Center, and for over 30 years, she was a volunteer for Head Start.In 1962, she, along with 200 Women Community Leaders throughout the country, was invited to The White House to discuss volunteerism in Community Service."
Source:Telegram and Gazette Obituary, 2/3/10.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Five Top Counseling Goals for 2010
The new year and decade is upon us in 2010. I was thinking of what goals the counseling profession can ponder and possibly accomplish this year. Here is my spew:
Goal 1: Equality for Mental Health Counselors:
It is particulary frustrating looking for part-time work due to more jobs being available for social workers as opposed for mental health counselors. Let's hope that Medicare coverage for licensed mental health counselors gets passed by Congress this year. Be politically active and work closely with either the American Counseling Association or the Mental Health Counselors Association to get timely updates on this important bill.
Goal 2: Ethics Reform:
I am appalled how some of my colleagues have no qualms in billing for an hourly session when in fact they saw their clients for only a half hour. I am aware of stringent and inequitable productivity requirements that many counselors endure in their jobs; however, billing illegally is not cool. The consequences are severe such as possible loss of you license and spending time in jail plus paying expensive fines for committing billing fraud. What does both associations mentioned above say about this issue?
Goal 3: Fairer Productivity Requirements:
As I mentioned above, many counselors have to reach unfair and inequitable productivity requirements to get benefits and to retain their salaries. Both counseling associations and fellow counselors need to be more vocal in calling for fairer productivity requirements that don't result in billing fraud; burnout; and possible client abuse. How in the world can you reach productivity when your clients either cancel; no-show; or you close their cases on a weekly basis? It can be frustrating to make a sustainable living and even more insulting when counselors are demoted from salary to fee for service status. In the latter, high job turnover and low retainment is a consequence for both clients and the employers.
Goal 4: Promoting Disability Sensitivity and Inclusion:
Disability is a culture that needs to be included in the cultural competence requirements for graduate students and practicing professionals. Over the years, I have proposed two different types of trainings for mental health counselors to earn between one to three continuing education units that has been flaty rejected due to a lack of interest by the professional associations. Let 2010 and beyond be the decade to include Disability Sensitivity as a cultural competence and offer CEUs for counselors for professional development.
Goal 5: Promoting Social Justice:
This is the decade for mental health counselors to be trained as advocates for social causes for both their clients and for their profession. It is time for the profession to be on an even level playing with social workers and psychologists in being vocal and political in their communities on the local, state and federal levels. How can mental health professions be better trained to advocate for change: Here are a few suggestions:
1) Offer a Community Organization course on the graduate level that is similar to the one offered for social work students in graduate school.
2) Counselors for Social Justice can offer practical guidelines and tips on how to promote change in your communities.
3) Take my upcoming workshop as an option on " How to Produce Your Show on Cable Access Television" on January 15th. I have used this venue to get my agenda for social changes across to political leaders on the local and state levels.
4) Join a political or grassroots organization in your community to learn hands-on experience in advocating for change.
I welcome your comments.
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
www.robbinmiller.vpweb.ccom
Goal 1: Equality for Mental Health Counselors:
It is particulary frustrating looking for part-time work due to more jobs being available for social workers as opposed for mental health counselors. Let's hope that Medicare coverage for licensed mental health counselors gets passed by Congress this year. Be politically active and work closely with either the American Counseling Association or the Mental Health Counselors Association to get timely updates on this important bill.
Goal 2: Ethics Reform:
I am appalled how some of my colleagues have no qualms in billing for an hourly session when in fact they saw their clients for only a half hour. I am aware of stringent and inequitable productivity requirements that many counselors endure in their jobs; however, billing illegally is not cool. The consequences are severe such as possible loss of you license and spending time in jail plus paying expensive fines for committing billing fraud. What does both associations mentioned above say about this issue?
Goal 3: Fairer Productivity Requirements:
As I mentioned above, many counselors have to reach unfair and inequitable productivity requirements to get benefits and to retain their salaries. Both counseling associations and fellow counselors need to be more vocal in calling for fairer productivity requirements that don't result in billing fraud; burnout; and possible client abuse. How in the world can you reach productivity when your clients either cancel; no-show; or you close their cases on a weekly basis? It can be frustrating to make a sustainable living and even more insulting when counselors are demoted from salary to fee for service status. In the latter, high job turnover and low retainment is a consequence for both clients and the employers.
Goal 4: Promoting Disability Sensitivity and Inclusion:
Disability is a culture that needs to be included in the cultural competence requirements for graduate students and practicing professionals. Over the years, I have proposed two different types of trainings for mental health counselors to earn between one to three continuing education units that has been flaty rejected due to a lack of interest by the professional associations. Let 2010 and beyond be the decade to include Disability Sensitivity as a cultural competence and offer CEUs for counselors for professional development.
Goal 5: Promoting Social Justice:
This is the decade for mental health counselors to be trained as advocates for social causes for both their clients and for their profession. It is time for the profession to be on an even level playing with social workers and psychologists in being vocal and political in their communities on the local, state and federal levels. How can mental health professions be better trained to advocate for change: Here are a few suggestions:
1) Offer a Community Organization course on the graduate level that is similar to the one offered for social work students in graduate school.
2) Counselors for Social Justice can offer practical guidelines and tips on how to promote change in your communities.
3) Take my upcoming workshop as an option on " How to Produce Your Show on Cable Access Television" on January 15th. I have used this venue to get my agenda for social changes across to political leaders on the local and state levels.
4) Join a political or grassroots organization in your community to learn hands-on experience in advocating for change.
I welcome your comments.
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
www.robbinmiller.vpweb.ccom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)