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, Judith Owens
Board Member, Edward Reading
Board Member, James Verser
Board Member, Ronald K. Walthall

Excused:

Board Member, Samira Haddad
Board Member, Gina Kassel
Board Member, Dawn M. Lacy
Board Member, J. Barry Mascari
Board Member, Amy E. Meckeler

Staff Present:

Executive Director, Elaine L. DeMars
Deputy Attorney General, Jodi C. Krugman
Administrative Staff, Celeste Paige
Administrative Staff, Aishah Figueroa

Board Chair Verser announced that due to the fact that Board member attendance did not constitute a quorum pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:8-13, business was conducted as a committee with recommendations to be presented to the full Board at the February 14, 2008 meeting.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Public Session Minutes of the November 15, 2007 meeting could not be approved due to lack of quorum. The minutes will be presented for approval at the February 14, 2008 meeting.

IV. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

A. Biennial License Renewal

Executive Director Elaine DeMars reported that the renewal notification for licensed marriage and family therapists will be mailed sometime in March. Although the precise schedule has not been provided, the letter advising of the ability to renew online will include instructions. Paper applications will only be mailed to those who request the form as directed. Ms. DeMars noted the advantages of the online renewal. The expiration date for all licensees in the "Active" status is June 30, 2008. In order to be assured of the delivery of the 2008-2010 license certificate, applications must be submitted (online or paper) by May 31, 2008.

Notification regarding the renewal requirements and procedures will be sent to AMFTRB-NJ and AAMFTRB as another source of information for licensees. Executive Director DeMars also informed the Board of the change in the appearance of all licenses, certificates, registrations and permits issued after September 30, 2007 as part of the effort to improve the security features and general appearance of official documents.

B. Continuing Psychology Education, Inc.

The Board was informed of continuing education course work offerings by CPE and concerns that have been raised by the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee. The Committee communicated its concern that the advertisement included inaccurate and misleading information. The Board was provided with a copy of a response from Richard Shuman for the organization.

V. CORRESPONDENCE

Stephen DeLuca - Applicant

Mr. DeLuca submitted correspondence to the Board to request the Board’s guidance regarding his inability to obtain verification of his marriage and family therapy experience. Upon review, the Board requested that Mr. DeLuca document the qualifications of his supervisor and the attempts made to verify the completion of the three year experience requirement. Mr. DeLuca will also be required to request a copy of his licensure application from the State of California along with a copy of the statutory/ regulatory licensure requirements in effect at the time of licensure.

VI. LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY

A. N.J.A.C. 13:34-8.2 and 8.3

Continuing Education - Cultural Competence

Regulatory Analyst, Maryann Sheehan informed the Board that while no comments were received in response to the Board’s June 4, 2007 proposal, one public comment was received regarding the proposed cultural competency continuing education requirement for licensed professional counselor renewal. The Professional Counselor Examiners committee has proposed to amend the language of the regulation on adoption to clarify the requirements, and it is recommended that the Board consider a similar change.

The intention of the Professional Counselor Examiners Committee is to provide licensees with an avenue for obtaining cultural competency continuing education course approval that is in addition to the acceptable sources of continuing education already established under N.J.A.C. 13:34-15.4(a) and 24.3(a). The Committee therefore recommends an amendment on adoption to provide that courses or programs in the area of social and cultural diversity, for the purpose of fulfilling the three contact hour requirement must be obtained consistent with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 13:34-15.4(a) or N.J.A.C. 13:34-24.3(a) or must be approved by the Committee. It was further noted that a course or program in cultural diversity that is approved by the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, the Board of Social Work Examiners, Professional Counselor Examiners Committee, or the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee will be considered acceptable by each board and committee.

B. Senate - 2387

An act concerning certificates suspending certain employment or occupational disabilities related to criminal conviction and supplementing Chapter 168A of Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes. Substitute as adopted by the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veteran’s Affairs Committee, adopted December 17, 2007. This bill permits certain people convicted of criminal offenses to obtain certificates of rehabilitation to enable them to obtain a license or employment without a bar due to the conviction.

However, the applicant can not be denied solely based on their conviction. The proposed language provides that the certificate would be granted by a judge, supervisory authority or Parole Board and shall be presumptive evidence of the subject’s rehabilitation when considered in regard to public employment as defined in the legislation. Concern was raised that the bill, as written, would remove the authority of the Board in related licensing matters. Discussion was tabled for the February 14, 2008 agenda meeting.

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Regulations Committee

The Regulations Committee continues to work on the revisions of the Three-Year Temporary Permit application. Additional changes were discussed and will presented for the Board’s approval on February 14, 2008.

B. Professional Counselor Examiners Committee

During the January 3, 2007 Professional Counselor meeting, the Committee conducted their meeting by obtaining the quorum vote by phone. The Committee continues to await appointments of Committee members to fill current vacancies.

Executive Director, Elaine DeMars, reported that on December 5, 2007 the Professional Counselor Committee met with college and university directors of graduate counselor education programs to provide clarification of the statutory and regulatory educational and experience requirements for licensure. The intention of the Committee is to review all counseling degree programs in New Jersey and surrounding states to determine program approval. Those programs that are CACREP accredited are acceptable in fulfilling the degree and course distribution. For those CACREP accredited programs that have a program with 48 credits, 12 additional graduate counseling-related credits are required.

C. Alcohol and Drug Counselors Committee

Committee Chair Edward Reading reported that the Committee is in the process of regulations revision. Dr. Reading also informed the Board of his participation in INCASE, the International Coalition for Addiction Studies Education and briefly discussed the organization’s efforts to standardize addiction education programs. He was recently elected to lead the organization as President.

VIII. NEXT MEETING

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board will be held February 14, 2008 at 9:00 a.m., 124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey.

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION

On a motion by Edward Reading, seconded by Judith Owens, the Board moved to Executive Session at 9:59 a.m. to discuss pending confidential matters.

X. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Edward Reading, seconded by Ben Beitin, the meeting was adjourned at 12:40 p.m.

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