Long-time Senate colleague Marie Blanco has worked tirelessly to highlight the contributions of the Filipino Veterans of World War II to our nation. Under the leadership of MG (Ret) Antonio Taguba, U.S. Army, the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetRep) recently released it 2023 Duty to Country Education Project. This effort is the fulfillment of a promise to the Filipino Veterans of WWII to tell their story of loyalty, patriotic duty, and solemn oath to serve under One Flag – that of the United States. The comprehensive online exhibition includes 25 hours of oral history interviews and a 20-minute film capturing the full history of FilVetRep. A graphic novel, In the Shadows of Giants, is scheduled to be completed in the Fall. All components of the educational program are fully accessible online. What, in my judgment, is an incredible accomplishment was funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education and brings to life the story of the U.S.-Philippine relations that dates to 1892 – of the untold and hidden history of colonial imperialism, path to Philippine independence, World War II in the Philippines, and the devastating impact on the lives of the Veterans and families caused by the Recission Act of 1946 -- a law that still exists for over 75 years. These are important stories that, unfortunately, undoubtedly remain unknown to many, if not most, Americans.
Clinical supervision, an evolving policy agenda
With the increasing impact of technology upon our daily lives and clinical practices, the importance of establishing licensure mobility and ready access to telehealth capabilities nationwide, and even internationally, is critical. Alex Siegel, Director of Professional Affairs for the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, reports that as of the opening day of our 2023 APA annual convention there are 40 jurisdictions, out of a total of 55 states and territories, which have enacted the Psychological Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) legislation. Vermont passed PSYPACT on June 1, 2023 and will become effective July 1, 2024. There is currently active legislation in Massachusetts and New York.
The PSYPACT Commission recently issued a Proposed Rule change which is out for public comment until October 3, 2023. Under Authorization Validity: “Authorization to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) that is issued by the PSYPACT Commission only applies to that specific authorization holder. Authorization does not extend to supervisors, supervisees or any other individual.”
Under this proposal, those being supervised by a psychologist who possesses the PSYPACT credential would not be able to use that credential to provide service based on their supervisor’s license and PSYPACT credential. It would limit the use of PSYPACT to the credential holder and not allow the supervisee to practice interjurisdictionally, a practice which had been demonstrated to be highly cost-effective and convenient during COVID-19. One must ask if this proposal is really in the best interest of patients and our profession?
Those waves just keep rolling in
Long-time colleague from her APA Education Directorate days, Jo Linder-Crow recently retired as CEO of the California Psychological Association. “Reflections: I remember when I thought that five years in one job seemed long, and then I thought that ten years seemed like forever. That’s why it seems surreal that I have just finished my tenure at the California Psychological Association after 18½ years! What a remarkable experience! I worked with 19 CPA Presidents, numerous Board members, many committee chairs and volunteers, psychologists throughout the country, and an amazing staff. As I have received so many wonderful and heart-warming messages from so many colleagues I am reminded once again that in the work we do it really all comes down to people in the end. The people I have met and learned from, done good work with, and had great fun with too! I am grateful to have had this opportunity! Now as I shift to a more relaxed schedule of some Executive Coaching and organizational consulting (I must put all this experience to good use) I look forward to more fun and more chances to work together.”
Mike Sullivan (APA’s State Association Historian): “More years ago than I care to remember, Jo Linder-Crow asked me about the job she was then considering as Executive Director of the California Psychological Association. That was when I was wrapping up my 13 years of working in the APA’s Practice Directorate. Since I had worked closely with all the State Psychological Associations (SPAs) and their executive directors, I was a logical person to ask. I said something enigmatic like: ‘Big state, big problems’ of which Jo is fond of reminding me. My pithy summary was intended not to sugarcoat the organizational challenges inherent in directing the large SPAs, with their many competing interests and constituencies both internally and externally. To Jo’s everlasting credit, she saw this as a challenge and opportunity. It is very uncommon for a SPA executive director to survive and thrive for 18+ years with the same association. This only happens when there is an outstanding fit between the CEO and its elected leaders, and when the SPA’s professional advocacy and membership services are of the highest caliber and quintessentially professional. Kudos to my friend for accomplishing this, and for her distinguished service to our profession!”. “The lion sleeps tonight” (Wimoweh, Pete Seeger).
Aloha,
Pat DeLeon, PhD, former APA President