President’s Notes
by Terry Zenner LCSW (Laf)

We’ve had a peaceful “regime change.”  As of July 1, 2003, the start of our newly designated fiscal year, I assumed the LACSW Presidency. I’ll continue to rely on the knowledge of my predecessor, Mim Aretsky, who has been a good model for the past two years. I see it as an effective design to have a two-year President-elect and Past President term. Judith Haspel, LCSW, of New Orleans, is now the new President-Elect. New Board members include Donna Lewis, LCSW (NO), and Marisa Miller, GSW (NO).

Some news for members: We’ll be hosting a varied-topic workshop on September 12th at River Oaks Hospital (NO). Proceeds benefit LACSW, so we encourage members to attend. Details to be announced.

We’re the host state for the major fall meeting of the Clinical Social Work Federation, Oct. 22-26, at the Monteleone Hotel (NO). We are affiliate members of CSWF. It might be news for some, as it once was for me, that the word “federation” has function. It means CSWF is not a “top down” organization as is NASW, but rather the state affiliates vote on national decisions, stipulating to the CSWF. The fall meeting agenda may include consideration to change the organization to a national board which would stipulate to the state affiliates, as does NASW. Partly out of that consideration, an ad hoc committee was formed at the last LACSW Board meeting to consider our options: stay with CSWF and go with its decision (whatever); opt out of CSWF and operate independently as have CA and NY, or consider other national or federal mental health affiliations.

For input to that committee, contact any of its members:
Judith Haspel (504-891-5807); Anne Heard (504-897-3276); Mim Aretsky (225-819-2411); Justin Schleiss (225-767-7731); or me (337-989-9350. This will be a very important decision, so don’t hesitate with your opinion. After the committee finishes a study, we still will enlist the advice of several past Presidents.

LACSW email: lacsw2@hotmail.com

LACSW website: http://www.LACSW.org

LACSW Board Reinstates Committees—Terry Zenner (LCSW)

In an effective budget-watching effort, about a year ago, we decided not to have standing committees on the LACSW Board, but to form committees as needed. While still watching our non-flush budget, we’ve reinstalled standing committees with chairs. None have extravagant budgets, but this will help keep accountable “who’s going to do what by when.”

A special thanks go to our able Treasurer, Charlene Spears (337-237-9150) who’s also helped create our website (www.lacsw.org). Leesa Sitter (318-226-8753) is doing the tedious work of recording minutes as Secretary. This is her umpteenth term, I’m told. Thanks, Lisa, from all of LACSW.

LACSW Committees Reinstated —Leslie Todd, LCSW (BR)

The following committees were reconstituted at the last LACSW Board meeting:

Legislative Cmte: Deborah Fernandez, LCSW (BR), Chair. Members: Judith Haspel, LCSW (NO), Mim Aretsky, LCSW (BR), Maureen Powerll, LCSW (BR), Justin Schleiss, LCSW (BR).

Membership Cmte: Maria Ketchum-Klette, LCSW, (Slidell) and Larry Gooch, LCSW (BR), co-chairs.

Members: Laura Myers, LCSW (Metairie).

Media Cmte: Chairmaine Spears, LCSW (Laf), chair. Members: Leslie Todd, LCSW (BR), Mimi Jalenek, LCSW (NO).

Education Cmte: Skip Morlier, LCSW (NO), Chair. Members: Carol Miles, LCSW (Cov), Mimi Jalenek, Anita Evans, LCSW (BR), Peggy Salley, LCSW (Shrv).

Managed Care Cmte: (chair TBA):Members: Judith Haspel, Leesa Sitter, LCSW (Shrv), Maureen Powell, Terry Zenner, LCWSW (Laf), Stan Masinter, LCSW (BR), Karen Collier, LCSW (BR).

Guild Cmte: Mim Aretsky, Chair. Members: Donna Lewis, LCSW (Metairie).

Mediation and Divorce/Custody Work: Training Available—Leslie Todd, LCSW (BR)

The Family Mediation Council of Louisiana is offering continuing education training to LCSWs, LPCs, and attorneys regarding collaborative approaches for better outcomes in custody and divorce disputes. This is a managed-care-free niche.

The Council is having is annual meeting on Friday, Sept. 26th at the Pennington Conference Center in Baton Rouge. The Conference will offer continuing education training from 9:00a.m.-noon and from 1:00-4:30. The Annual Meeting and lunch will occur between noon and 1:00 p.m. The topics will be collaborative divorce in Rapides Parish and caucus mediation in Baton Rouge, a model presented by attorney Helen Edgington.

The fee is $135 for non-members and $90 for members. If you wish to attend, please contact Susan C. Norwood, 6031 Perrier Street, NO LA 70118. Telephone 888-658-9080; fax 504-895-4355.

Treasurer’s Report
 Charlene Spears, LCSW (Laf)

ASSETS

Cash & Bank Accts

Cert. of Deposit                         $5,712.69
Checking                                       15,558.33
Savings Acct.                                    695.95
Cash Acct.                                              0.00

TOTAL ASSETS:                      $21,966.97

LIABILITIES                                                      0.00

EQUITY                                                   $21,966.97

TOTAL                                                 $21,966.97

Legislative Update — Terry Zenner, LCSW (Laf)

Our paid lobbyist, Maxine Crump, along with Legislative Committee Chair Deborah Fernandez, LCSW (BR), Mim Aretsky, LCSW (BR), and Justin Schleiss, LCSW (BR), all put in a good faith effort to gain the right to diagnose in Workman’s Comp cases. This would have made our licensing law consistent with the Worker’s Comp laws. Unfortunately, we were up against business forces that framed the idea as costing businesses more money. They had strong influence and we lost the vote while learning lessons for next time. Thanks to all of the above for much time spent.

Preliminary feelers seem to offer the possibility of eliminating “C & C” in near term years. We’ll keep our eye on that, as all of us would love to see its demise. Also in next year’s session, we hope to be ready to introduce a bil that will put daylight on managed care, requiring open books on how much of their income goes to treatment vs. administrative costs and profits.

Please offer your ideas and other contributions to our Legislative Committee (see box below). They are working on YOUR behalf!

Managed Care Committee Update —Leesa Sitter, LCSW (Shrv)

The Managed Care Committee met to address goals for the coming year. These goals include:

We will look at what managed care companies have offered regarding negotiable rates and address how to file complaints with the Insurance Commissioner. We will also look at minimal standards regarding streamlining treatment plans.

To share feedback or concerns, please fax me at 318-226-8754.

Our Corporate Sponsor, Synergy, Offers Regional Services

Synergy Healthcare Group offers Inpatinet Psychiatric Services in Baton Rouge and Lutcher, as well as Community Mental Health Centers in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Slidell.

Transitional Living services are offered in Baton Rouge and new Orleans, and Home Healthcare Services are located in Baton Rouge, Hammond, Alexandria, Lafayette, and Kenner.

Referral Lines:

Transitional Living:

LACSW wishes to thank SYNERGY HOSPITAL

(4040 North Blvd, BR, 225-343-1994) for donating help and space for our Board meetings.

Call for Newsletter Contributions

LACSW has created both a website and a newsletter. How would you like these to serve you? One of our goals is to have the newsletter published in the members-only section of the website (as well as to send it by mail). But let’s make it a publication you find really useful.

If the newsletter is to function as a communication AMONG OUR MEMBERS, then we need YOU to contribute YOUR news.

Have you given a workshop? Have you attended one you’d recommend? Do you have some ideas about new niches or ways to improve our practices’ efficiency or profitability?

Do you have concerns about how we’re providing services in Louisiana? In your parish? How we’re educating future social workers? Do you think our graduate courses really prepare social workers adequately? Have any ideas about what grad schools might do differently?

Have you written an academic paper? A scholarly piece? Done some research?

Have you had some professional experience that’s made you rethink your training, or your approach?

Do you see anything in the way other mental health professionals handle things that we might learn from?

Do you have a humorous view that might help us de-stress? Tips on ways to avoid burn-out?

The LACSW Newsletter could be more than columns written by its Board members. If you have any ideas, announcements—or ads you’d like to run—please contact the editor, Leslie Todd, at lestodd@earthlink.net or 225-769-8877. Your contributions will be much appreciated!