News

The legislative session is now in full swing. Committee assignments have been finalized, and hearings are already underway on key issues affecting our communities. As bills are introduced and begin moving through the legislative process, it’s more important than ever to stay informed and engaged.

We will be posting updates on our website, www.mamhca.org as they become available, including bill summaries, hearing schedules, and calls to action. Be sure to check back regularly to stay in the loop.

In the meantime, here are a few ways you can stay engaged:

• Contact Your Legislators: Reach out to your state representatives and senators to share your perspective. Personal stories and thoughtful messages can have a real impact.

• Track Legislation: Use your state legislature’s official website to follow bills and committee agendas.

• Watch or Attend Hearings: Many hearings are streamed online or open to the public. Observing these sessions can give you valuable insight into the process and priorities.

• Join Our Alerts List: Become a member and get access to our full newsletter or advocacy alerts to receive timely updates and opportunities to take action.

Your voice matters. Whether you're new to advocacy or a seasoned policy watcher, now is the time to stay involved and speak up.

For more resources and to follow legislative developments, visit www.mamhca.org

After many years, LMHCs are included providers for Medicare. MaMHCA highly recommends that you choose to opt-in or opt-out.

If you do not know that someone has Medicare, and they ask for a private contract, you would be in a position of being out of compliance.

If someone needs to get on Medicare during the course of treatment, you will then have to then make a decision to opt-out or in or transfer their case.

Upon knowing you have a Medicare-covered client, you have 10 days to submit an opt-out affidavit.

For more information on opting-in, please watch our Medicare Opt In Video and review the Opt In Slides.

For more information on opting-out, please watch our Medicare Opt Out Video and review the Opt Out Slides.

Nominations to MaMHCA's Executive Board are now open for the position of President-Elect. You may nominate yourself or another person who is an LMHC in good standing for at least one year prior to nomination, a member of MaMHCA,  has served on the MaMHCA board for at least 6 months prior to nomination, and able to serve a 6 year term (President-Elect, President, Past-President) at the beginning of July. Nominations close at the end of March.

MaMHCA has filed 3 pieces of legislation.

SD2089 An Act Establishing a Board of Registration of Licensed Mental Health Counselors. This is also being worked to get a late filing from a representative. As of now we have freshman representatives Badger and Sweezey working on getting a late filing done.

Rep. LaNatra and Sen. Brady both sponsored 2 additional pieces of legislation. HD1465/SD471 An Act to Further Advance Behavioral Workforce Development  and HD1470/SD472 An Act Expanding Access to Mental Health Services and Strengthening Risk Assessment Protocols.

In addition, our Public Policy and Legislative Director, Joe Weeks, is working with Rep. LaNatra's office to ensure the board moves forward with it's mandates to rollout the LSMHC, MaCCS, and to appoint the additional LMHC board members as directed in the 2022 legislation.

Thank you to all members who have been attending and participating in our new MaMHCA clinical book club! So far, we have had THREE scheduled events, every other month to review books on our current home study list. Due to popular demand, we will continue this offering, as there is no limit to wonderful books out there.

So you can keep up with your reading, here are the next three offerings! Keep an eye out for reminders in your emails:

March, 10th : “No Bad Parts” by Richard Schwartz, Ph.D.

May, 19th : “Attachment Theory in Practice: Emotionally Focused Therapy” by Sue Johnson

July, 14th : “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers” y Robert Sapolsky

Happy reading, and we hope to see you there!

Membership Committee

Greetings from the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committee. MaMHCA is committed to making sure that everyone feels a sense of belonging and is able to contribute to the DEI  journey. We strive to learn together and create an atmosphere where everyone is included. The DEI committee continues to work to advance DEI at MaMHCA. Please join us on the second Monday of each month at 7pm to share your insights and experiences, ideas and suggestions. Contact me at fneff@mamhca.org.

Attention all students and new professionals!  On September 15, 2024, the Allied Board of Mental Health and Human Services launched a new, simplified application, along with continuing to modify the eLx Portal application process. Although this is a less complex form, with no math required, that has already streamlined the process and spend up the timeline for approval, there is a big CAUTION!

Random audits will occur.  If an applicant is selected for this audit, they will be required to complete the older form, with all the math included.

MaMHCA advises all applicants to complete BOTH forms as you progress through the process. This means you should complete the older form with the math AND the new, simpler form with each supervisor at the time you end supervision.

MaMHCA recommends you download the 262CMR Section 2 and the new LMHC Application Guide from the Allied Board’s website.  If you need more help, attend the one of MaMHCA’s LMHC Application Support Clinics before requesting 1:1 consultation.

Jami Osborne, Chair, Application Support Committee

MaMHCA is excited to offer networking events this summer and fall! Network and earn CEUs at MaMHCA's first book club on August 5th, 2024. This fall, join MaMHCA in walking for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness Community Walk on September 8th, 2024. Need more networking time? Join MaMHCA's DEI-B committee for their meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM or MaMHCA's Member coffee hour for their meetings on the third Friday on the month at 9:00 AM.