I. CALL TO ORDER

The Committee meeting was called to Order at 9:41 a.m. at 124 Halsey Street, Hudson Conference Room, 6th floor, Newark, New Jersey.

II. ROLL CALL

Present:

Committee Chair, J. Barry Mascari
Committee Member, Abbey Bradway (via telephone)
Committee Member, William Green
Committee Member, Barbara Maurer

Staff Present:

Executive Director, Elaine L. DeMars
Deputy Attorney General, Susan Berger
Administrative Staff, Agnes Almeida
Administrative Staff, Celeste Paige

III. APPROVAL OF PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES

On a motion by William Green, seconded by Barbara Maurer and on an unanimous vote the Committee approved the December 5, 2007 public minutes as presented.

IV. PUBLIC COMMENT

A. Chris Vella, LCADC

Mr. Vella appeared before the Committee to discuss his pending application for the professional counselor credential and to request clarification on N.J.A.C. 13:34C. Mr. Vella is currently a part-time employee with Caring Families, Inc. Mr. Vella was informed that the licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor credential limits practice to clients with addiction-related disorders.

B. Clara Birnbaun Itzighson

Ms. Birnbaun Itzighson, an applicant for professional counselor licensure, forwarded information to the Committee in support of her application for licensure. Mrs. Birnbaun Itzighson obtained her MA in Clinical Psychology outside of the United States. Therefore, her transcripts must be evaluated by an organization such as World Education Service evaluation. Consideration of graduate credits would not include continuing education contact hours.

C. Tom Crawley, LPC, New Jersey Counseling Association

Mr. Crawley attended the meeting to request the Committee provide a summary addressing the unlicensed practice in for-profit agencies. The Association is looking to include the summary in their next newsletter.

V. LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY

A. N.J.A.C. 13:34-15.2 , 15.4, 24.3 - Cultural Competence

On a motion by Barbara Maurer, seconded by William Green, the Committee approved 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. 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, or the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee will be considered acceptable by the Committee.

VI. CORRESPONDENCE

William Richardson - Fairleigh Dickinson University

The Committee reviewed a letter submitted by William M. Richardson, General Counselor for Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, New Jersey. Mr. Richardson wrote to request citations of authority to the Board’s (Committee’s) practice of prohibiting supervised practice in for-profit setting without the appropriate license. On a motion by William Green, seconded by Barbara Maurer, the Committee determined to send Mr. Richardson a letter informing him that authority is provided at N.J.S.A. 45:8B-48. He will also be informed that licensed associate counselors may accrue supervised experience hours in for-profit settings.

VII. COUNSELOR EDUCATION GRADUATE PROGRAMS

A. Rowan University - Program Review

The Committee reviewed an e-mail and materials submitted for Rowan University’s Graduate Mental Health Counseling and Applied Psychology program and discussed a number of concerns and determined to schedule a meeting with the program coordinator, Dr. Angelone, to discuss the current and proposed programs.

B. New Jersey City University - Patrice J. Dow-Nelson, Ph.D.

The Committee reviewed a letter submitted by Dr. Dow-Nelson regarding the M.A. in Counseling Program. In response to the writer’s statement that the program "does not assert or imply any preparation for licensure requirements for the LPC examination or for certification," the Committee will write to Dr. Dow-Nelson advising her that if the program is not intended to prepare students for the professional counselor credential the students should be so advised prior to enrollment. Dr. Dow-Nelson will also be informed that any applications with the New Jersey City University transcript whose course work does not meet the requirements will not qualify for the professional counselor credential.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

FILED CONSENT ORDERS

The following Consent Order were filed on January 3, 2008:

Cheryl Reitz - Consent Order for the Unlicensed Practice of Professional Counseling

Lisa Lynn Crispino - Consent Order for the Unlicensed Practice of Professional Counseling

Heidi Neuberg - Consent Order for the Unlicensed Practice of Professional Counseling

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION

On a motion by Barbara Maurer, seconded by William Green, the Committee moved to Executive Session at 10:52 a.m. to conduct investigative inquiries and discuss other pending confidential matters.

X. CREDENTIAL REVIEW

On a motion by William Green, seconded by Barbara Maurer, the Committee approved the following applicants for licensure:

Professional Counselors Associate Counselors
Adams, Hudah Applebaum, Eileen
Cianci, LeeAnn Callahan, Laura
Colon-Hernandez, Haydee Desiderio, Sara
Femiano, Mary Lubitz, Ann Marie
Fotopolous, Helena Niznik, Susan
Graham, Glenn Panayiotou, Ana
Henchy, Clare Smith, Delia
Kornwiser, Kacey Szeher, Dawn
Lake, Jennifer Tomlin, Vicky
Millman, Aaron Wood, Joshua
Orsi, Allison
Redlhammer, Jennifer
Sheridan, Linda

Trimble, Michaela
Tufts-Smillie, Allison

XI. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Barbara Maurer, seconded by William Green, the meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.

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