I. CALL TO ORDER

The scheduled meeting of the Committee was called to Order at 9:32 a.m., 124 Halsey Street, 6th floor, Newark, New Jersey.

II. ROLL CALL

Present:

Committee Chairman, J. Barry Mascari
Committee Member, William Green
Committee Member, Barbara Maurer
Committee Members, Abbey Bradway - Participated by phone

Staff Present:

Executive Director
Deputy Attorney General
Administrative Staff, Agnes Almeida
Administrative Staff, Celeste Paige

III. APPROVAL OF PUBLIC MINUTES

On a motion by Barbara Maurer, seconded by William Green, the minutes of the March 6, 2008 public minutes meeting were approved as presented.

IV. PUBLIC COMMENT

The following Seton Hall University graduate students attended the Committee meeting as part of the program requirement:

Innocent Okozi
Rosa DuBose
Prosline Baptiste
Bernard Duga

Dr. Susan Childers and Penny Freeman, faculty members of Philadelphia Biblical University also attended the Committee meeting.

V. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Elaine DeMars informed the Committee that the review of New Jersey and surrounding area graduate counseling programs is a task that will require a great deal of time and research. On a motion by Barbara Maurer, seconded by William Green the Committee authorized Ms. DeMars to seek Division approval for consultant review of the graduate counselor education programs. Programs will have the option to choose from the listed consultants or suggest the name of an expert (with credentials) for Committee approval. The Committee emphasized that the degree title and course work requirements listed at N.J.S.A. 45:8B-40 and N.J.A.C. 13:34-11.2 were established based on the CACREP standards to ensure that the program and course work were designed to prepare the student for the professional practice of counseling.

VI. CORRESPONDENCE

Richard Ponton

The Committee reviewed Mr. Ponton’s e-mail advising the Committee of concerns with consumer services provided by the Committee office. Ms. DeMars reported that she contacted Mr. Ponton and acknowledged his concerns. While the Committee is aware of the current phone call and e-mail volume, it also acknowledged the long-standing hiring freeze and the loss of staff that began last July. Current staff serves for the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, this Committee and the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee. A central call unit now takes initial calls and sends messages to the Board staff who make return calls.

VII. GRADUATE COUNSELOR EDUCATION PROGRAM

A. Philadelphia Biblical - Dr. Childers

Dr. Childers stated that she attended the meeting to address Committee concerns regarding the course syllabi for "Professional Orientation in Legal, Ethical and Clinical Issues in Counseling." On a motion by William Green, seconded by Barbara Maurer, the Committee has requested additional modifications be made to the ethics course presented to include a focus on the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics and principles of confidentiality. It is suggested that religious counseling principles and ethics be approached in a separate course.

B. Monmouth University - Hallie Gardner

The Committee reviewed correspondence submitted by Hallie Gardner with her request for clarification/guidance for the course work requirements. Ms. Gardner reports that she has received conflicting advice from two Monmouth University graduate programs. The Committee will inform Ms. Gardner that the Committee can only review completed applications and bases its review of transcripts and course work on the requirements set forth in statute and regulations. It is suggested that she research the programs’ accreditation status and seek the guidance of the University’s counseling program.

VIII. NJCA MATTERS

Executive Director DeMars reported that the required forms requesting approval to attend the April 28, 2008 session of New Jersey Counselor Association Annual Conference were filed within the required parameters. A response has not yet been received.

IX. FILED CONSENT ORDERS

The following Consent Order were filed on April 2, 2008:

A. Sue Fallon - Consent Order for the Unlicensed Practice of Professional Counseling (For practice with an expired license)

B. Barry Horton - Consent Order for the Unlicensed Practice of Professional Counseling

C. Saul Thermidor - Consent Order for Aiding and Abetting the unlicensed practice of professional counseling.

X. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. at 124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey.

2008 Meeting Schedule

April 30, 2008 September 4, 2008
June 5, 2008 October 2, 2008
July 10, 2008 November 6, 2008
August 7, 2008 December 4, 2008

XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION

On a motion made by William Green, seconded by Barbara Maurer, the Committee voted to move to Executive Session at 10:08 a.m. to conduct one investigative inquiry, review applications, consumer complaints and pending disciplinary matters.

XII. CREDENTIAL REVIEW

The applications for licensure were approved:

Professional Counselors Associate Counselors
Ahern, Stephen R. Novak, Gerald
Biddle, AnneMarie
Mangano, Kathleen M.
Pollock, Aaron S.
Quick, Amy M.
Salahuddin, Samina
Steiner, Lisa M.
Wolos, Leah Z.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by William Green, seconded by Barbara Maurer, the Committee meeting was adjourned at 4:07 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted

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