Executive Director Report
The news keeps getting better all the time for LAGPA. We just received notice that LAGPA has achieved obtaining status as a continuing education provider for APA. The 800+ page application was submitted in January. We are very pleased to have received this approval. Not only is it more prestigious than MCEP, but it will reduce our paperwork and reduce our expenses. With MCEP, we had to have each workshop or educational forum approved which often included hundreds of pages. Now, it is our responsibility to assure APA requirements are conformed and maintain our documentation. Similarly, it allows us to offer our courses online to anyone, anywhere in the world needing APA credits. That gives LAGPA the unique and enviable position of being the only organization to offer APA CEU on LGBT issues.
There is thought about converting the workshops presented at our Conference and Educational Forum into online courses. That would generate an income stream for LAGPA and the workshop originators. We'll have more on this exciting project in the future.
Many LAGPA members believe that LGBT issues should be mandated for the training of psychologists and others. The Board concurs and has established a subcommittee to investigate how to influence BOP to make this happen. The subcommittee has developed a PowerPoint presentation and gave a test run on April 19 at the home of co-president Liliane McCain. LAGPA members attended the wine-and-cheese event and gave insightful, helpful feedback. The presentation will be given again at the upcoming BOP Board meeting, May 8-9, with added changes.
When Proposition 8 was on the ballot in California last year, CAMFT did not support the effort to have it defeated. This infuriated many LAGPA members. A subcommittee has been formed to bring to CAMFT's attention the inequality in their stance. See the enclosed article for more information on this effort.
The next big news is that we have made arrangements for this year's Annual Psychotherapy Conference to be held at USC on October 11— which coincides with National Coming Out Week activities on campus. The school is excited to be involved with our Conference. In this newsletter is our Call for Papers/ Presenters. Please consider presenting your expertise at the Conference. Of course we can use volunteers. Please contact Chuck about this.
Finally, this issue of PN is our first to put online and ask members to review it online and print what you want. It costs over $1000 each time we send out the PN. The Board decided to try this out. Three of the newsletters will be online, while the July issue will be printed for inclusion in the annual membership drive. If want a hard copy, no problem. Just let Chuck know. He has recently obtained a tabloid size color laser printer and can print the newsletter on demand. On a final note, I want to say how happy I am with the new board. We have greater diversity than ever and most are stepping forward to volunteer to get things done. Thank you all.
Chuck Stewart, Ph.D.
Executive Director • |
