I. The Meeting was called to order at 10:10 A.M. by Board Chair, Doreen Bobby, MSW, LCSW.

II. The meeting of the State Board of Social Work Examiners was held at 124 Halsey Street in the Hudson Room, the 6th floor, on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. The following attendance was recorded for these minutes:

III. Roll Call

Henry Acosta, MSW, LSW, Vice-Chair Professional Member Present
Leonard Altamura, DSW, LCSW Professional Member Present
Doreen J. Bobby, MSW, LCSW, Chair Professional Member Present
Kathleen Ellis Public Member Present
Maxine Lisboa, MSW, LSW Professional Member Present
Louise A. Murray, DSW, LSW Professional Member Present
Paul J. St. Onge, Esq. Public Member Present
Wanetta V. Williams, BSW, CSW Professional Member Present

Lorna Hines-Cunningham, MS, LCSW Government Member Present Also present were Executive Director Kay K. McCormack, DAG Jodi Krugman and Board staff Theresa Brundage.

IV. Review of Minutes

The Public Session minutes of March 25, 2008 were reviewed and found acceptable with minor revisions. A motion to that affect was offered by Ms. Ellis and seconded by Ms. Bobby. The vote was unanimous.

V. Public Comment

-In attendance for her first Public Session meeting was Mary Jean Westin, MSW, LCSW-the newly appointed Assistant Executive Director for New Jersey’s Chapter of NASW (National Association of Social Workers) along with the Executive Director, Walter X. Kalman, Jr., MSW, LSW.

VI. Executive Director’s Report

-Kay McCormack reviewed the upcoming on-line credential renewal process with members including the likelihood that the DCA will be approving a renewal fee credit at each of the three levels for the second/consecutive renewal.

-Mrs. McCormack summarized her meeting with Dr. Michael C. LaSala, PhD., LCSW, Associate Professor of Social Work at the Rutgers New Brunswick Graduate School of Social Work. While a visiting Fulbright Scholar at Tallinn University in Estonia, Dr. LaSala recently had the opportunity to observe a fledgling social work education program underway at the primary Estonian University under the direction of Professor Karmen Lai. Dr. LaSala arranged a meeting between Rutgers personnel, Professor Lai and myself to exchange information on New Jersey’s social work practice and licensing standards, confirming that people’s mental health needs are indeed universal.

VII. Regulations

1. The Board was informed that the Proposed Readoption with Amendments of N.J.A.C. 13:44G is scheduled for publication in the New Jersey Register on May 5, 2008 with a deadline for comments on July 4, 2008.

2. FYI-notice was given of Adopted Amendments:

N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.2 and 6.3-Continuing Education, which includes the additional 3 credit requirement in Cultural Competence per biennial cycle, for all levels.

3. (non-agenda item) The Board discussed the new Rule N.J.A.C. 10:200, In-Community Mental Health Rehabilitation Services for Children, Youth and Young Adults proposed by the State’s Division of Child Behavioral Health Services, (DCBHS). The Rule seeks to eliminate LSWs (Licensed Social Workers) and LACs (Licensed Associate Counselors) as providers of in-home clinical services (IIC) to this identified population and limit these services to provision by the independently licensed clinicians, LCSWs and LPCs, from the Social Work and Professional Counseling categories. In discussion, the members opined that essential services to this needy population would be negatively affected by eliminating the LSWs from this activity in which, by all accounts, they are currently actively engaged. Most importantly, LSWs, by Statute and Regulation, are educated and qualified to provide clinical services, in any setting, to a variety of populations including those described as recipients of IIC, provided the LSWs are supervised in accordance with their Licensing Act, N.J.A.C. 13:44G-8.1. The Board unanimously agreed to submit a comment in opposition to the proposal. With much cooperation from the Director’s office of the Division of Consumer Affairs, a comment on behalf of the Boards of Marriage and Family Therapy and Social Work Examiners was prepared in time for the comment deadline. The Board awaits the comment response from DCBHS and the ultimate outcome of the proposal.

VIII. Review of Clinical Supervisors’ Credentials

A motion to approve all clinical supervisors as recommended by Dr. Murray’s review was offered by Ms. Bobby and seconded by Ms. Ellis. The vote was unanimous.

Supervisors

Kenneth R. Sandler, M.D., Licensed Psychiatrist-MA

Frances Coyle Brennan, LCSW-NY

Karen S. Tanklow, LICSW-MA

Katherine Kurtz, LCSW-PA David B. Wohlsifer, LCSW-PA Steven L. Hornsby, LCSW-NY Marghani M. Reever, LCSW-FL

IX. Vote on Candidates Proposed for Licensure and Certification

A motion was made by Dr. Altamura and seconded by Ms. Williams approving those candidates listed (attached) as qualified in their category based on a review of their application documents and in accordance with the Statute and Regulations. The vote was unanimous.

X. Continuing Education (CE)

A. Vote on recommendations-Motion to approve as recommended by Ms. Lisboa and Dr. Altamura. The Board voted unanimously to approve all programs as recommeded by content review. These presentations will be reflected in the monthly update of Board-approved CEs which is available at the Board’s website and by hardcopy from the Board office. Motion to approve as recommended by Ms. Lisboa and Dr. Altamura. The vote was unanimous.

B. Problematic CE Presentations

Problematic CE presentations were discussed and decisions regarding their credit eligibility are noted. Those found acceptable by the Board will be added to the monthly listing of approved CE sources. The sponsors of those denied will be notified of the basis of the denials pursuant to regulation while several will be asked to submit additional information for future review.

C. CE Correspondence

1. An appeal-New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women submitted additional information regarding its prior submission-Creating Peace: Helping Children Heal Through Dramatic Play. Based on the new information, a motion to approve this presentation was offered by Ms. Ellis and seconded by Mr. Acosta. The vote was unanimous.

2. Margaret L. Bost, MSW, LCSW attended an NASW, National-sponsored CE course, via teleconference, presented by Professor Federic Reamer on the topic of professional ethics. Ms. Bost questioned Professor Reamer’s position on referrals and dual relationships between professional peers and requested the Board’s interpretation. In response, Ms. Bost is advised that, ethical dilemmas are issues to be explored individually and ultimately resolved on a case-by-case basis since perceived duality may or may not apply in a particular situation. Further, she is referred to N.J.A.C. 13:44G-10.4.,-10.6 and –10.9e. as guides.

3./4.The following LCSWs submitted the clinical supervision content for courses they each completed through CSWE-approved schools of social work. They are each requesting the Board’s review of the coursework in compliance with N.J.A.C. 13:44G-8.1(a)4.

Patricia Gordon-Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work Tom Sedgwick-Hunter College School of Social Work

Based on a review of the course content which was provided by each school, a motion is made by Doreen Bobby and Henry Acosta approving the clinical supervision courses sponsored by Bryn Mawr College and Hunter College. The vote is unanimous. Both schools will be added to the Board’s existing list of approved sponsors for supervision coursework in compliance with –8.1. Patricia Gordon will be issued the Board’s authorization to provide clinical supervision in compliance with –8.1. However, Tom Sedgwick is not licensed as a New Jersey social worker and is, therefore, not eligible to provide clinical supervision to New Jersey LSWs pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:44G-4.1.

XI. Legislation

The Board reviewed as informational the First Quarter Periodic Status Report on Pending Legislation.

XII. The Board unanimously agreed to conclude Public Session at 11:55 A.M.

XIII. With unanimous consent, the meeting was adjourned for the day at 2:35 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
Kay K. McCormack
Executive Director

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