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    Chapter Announcements

    See below or go to our Events page for the latest information on our upcoming events.

    Upcoming events

    Join LBSB CAMFT for our next HYBRID meeting: Enhancing Clinical Effectiveness in Couples Therapy for Lasting Connections, with Dr. Almena Lowe Mozon, Ph.D. on Friday, February 14th! See the flyer below for more details or CLICK HERE to register!


    Event Policies, Protocols & Grievance Procedures can all be viewed any time by clicking HERE or by following the path via the 'Events' tab on our website.



    Why Update Your Profile?

    • An updated account allows us to tailor our communications and services to better suit you
    • Ensures you receive invitations to events and activities that match your interests
    • Helps us to connect you with other members who share similar interests and professional goals
    • Allows us to maintain up-to-date information to ensure accurate records for our membership renewals and other administrative purposes


    Member Benefits


    • In order to maintain your membership with LBSB CAMFT, you MUST be sure your membership with State CAMFT is currently active. Please monitor renewal dates for both accounts to ensure you don't miss out on the many benefits of membership! You can verify your State membership by visiting www.camft.org
    • Did you know that M2M is seen not just by our members, but by hundreds of non-members from wellness-focused businesses to other clinicians? When you submit a request to have a member announcement included in M2M (click HERE for info and instructions on how to do this!), the information about you and your practice is sent to OVER 1,100 people!
    • If YOU are not currently a member of LBSB CAMFT, we welcome you to do so HERE. For a brief snapshot of the benefits of membership, see below!

    The Board Bulletin
     
    Reminders & Announcements from the Board


    A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
    February 3, 2025

    Dear Friends, Colleagues & Members,

    Leadership Team update: I am happy to announce we have added a new volunteer leader to the Team.  She will be stepping into the Secretary position!  Her name is Robin Middough.  She is a LMFT and works in Long Beach.  We are so glad that she has joined us!  We will be sending out an official vote during this month of February to confirm all of our new and experienced Leaders on theTeam.  Can I just say that I really prefer to call us a Team rather than a Board.  I hope we can gradually change that in all of our public communications.  That is truly what we are.  With new folks joining the leadership there are always fresh new changes to come. So I hope you all get excited!  

    We still have one more important role available for a strong networking type of individual.  This person must be able to basically be like an outreach and public relations (PR) person who is able to represent the Chapter and contact individuals, organizations, businesses even, and tell them about the great work you all do and why the LBSB Chapter requires financial support and backing from them to continue to equip and prepare all those who desire to attend any one of the LBSB CAMFT events.  Whether social or instructional it still costs money!  We desire to keep our fees reasonable and not pass on increased expenses to our Membership.  So if you are an extrovert and sociable we want you to join the Team and be an advocate for the Chapter! Remember we ask for 5-6 hours a month on average.

    I will try to provide a brief description of who the individuals or nominees for next LBSB Leadership will be in my next letter to prepare each of you to become acquainted with all of us before we hold an official vote. This is to make us all official. What I am hearing from many of you are things like; wow I don't think anyone has ever called me from the Board; I never really paid much attention to the Leadership of the LBSB Chapter; I never really understood we are a Chapter or what it means to have leaders/board members; what do they really do for the Chapter? I want to encourage you all that I would like to take a shot at changing that.  Providing you all with a view of who we are and what we do or will do.  Ultimately, as President I will attempt to connect the Leadership more to the Membership as well as Non Members.  

    I will also provide you with brief descriptions of what each Role / Position in Leadership is responsible for. The truth is we all work together as a Team to make LBSB Chapter a great place to belong to and feel heard and know that you will benefit from being or becoming a Member. We can not put together an event without the help and support of one or the other whether it is creating or promoting or managing the event administratively!  I hope that by the end of 2025 you will all be proud to say that you are a member of the Long Beach South Bay Chapter of CAMFT!

    Special Interest Groups update: Wendy Rodriquez, our new Director of Membership has sent out an email requesting confirmations from those of you who have expressed interest in any specific Special Interest Group!  We are waiting on a few of you to respond.  We have our individual list of those of you who have confirmed and your method of contact.  Some of these Groups will be contacted and requested to provide a day and time to meet via Zoom.  If we have 3 attendees at a Zoom meeting then we will allow those 3 individuals to establish the launching of that Group's place, day and time. I really hope that most of you check your emails and confirm your selected interest group(s). 

    Great News! The Biking Group has a launching date of March 7th at 2:30pm at Captain Kidd's Restaurant in Redondo Beach.  If you want to just show up, that's fine. Contact membership@lbsbcamft.org to be added to the Special Interest Group contact list. CC myself if you'd like. That way, if we want to communicate some important information, hopefully we can assist as Leadership if needed.

    Sincerely,

    Chris McKnight M.A., LMFT
    (310) 529-3011
    President LBSB Chapter of CAMFT
    president@lbsbcamft.org



    Sponsorship Opportunity

    Support Our Chapter’s Success!

    We’re excited to offer diverse sponsorship opportunities for our chapter. Whether you're interested in making a Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond-level contribution, your support will play a crucial role in advancing our mission.


    Sponsorship Levels:

    Silver: $200+

    Gold: $450+

    Platinum: $750+

    Diamond: $1,500+

    Your involvement not only helps fund our member events but also connects you with a dedicated community of professionals. For more details on how to become a sponsor and the benefits of each level of sponsorship, please reach out to our President at President@lbsbcamft.org.


    State CAMFT Announcements

    The January Newsletter is up! Click HERE to learn the latest from CAMFT.


    State CAMFT Newsletters

    "Why Should I Care About the CAMFT Code of Ethics?"
    Presenter: Mike Griffin, JD, CAMFT Staff Attorney
    February 21, 2025
    9:00 am - 12:00 pm

    This three-hour workshop provides a broad overview of the ethical standards found in Part I of the CAMFT Code of Ethics and the procedures expressed in Part II of the Code which govern the actions taken when an ethics complaint is filed.

    The workshop will discuss examples of alleged ethical violations that are reported to the Ethics Committee and offer suggestions to therapists regarding ethical practice.

    Vignettes will be utilized, as appropriate, to illustrate examples of scenarios which often lead to complaints, and to suggest practices which may be helpful to therapists in avoiding ethical problems.

    Attendees at this workshop may earn a total of three hours of continuing education (CEU) credit, as required by the Board of Behavioral Sciences for licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed professional clinical counselors.


    Legislation Corner

    MEDICARE TELEHEALTH FLEXIBILITIES EXTENDED

    Based on the continuing resolution passed by Congress and signed by President Biden (H.R.10545), Medicare telehealth flexibilities have been extended until March 31, 2025. This means in-person visit requirements would not apply for mental health services provided via telehealth until April 1, 2025. More information about Medicare’s telehealth rules can be found in the Medicare Learning Network’s Fact Sheet on Telehealth services.

    Letters from Medicare Administrative Contractors Regarding Enrollment Status

    As of January 1, 2024 MFTs and MHCs (AKA LPCCs) are eligible Medicare providers. For this reason, all MFTs and LPCCs must let their patients know about their Medicare status AND inquire about their patients’ Medicare status.

    Providers who have not opted out of or into (enrolled in) the Medicare system but are seeing Medicare beneficiaries can expect receive a letter from their regional Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) explaining the following:

    • Eligible providers who work with Medicare beneficiaries may not collect any private pay fees from those patients UNLESS 1) the provider has submitted an opt-out affidavit to the appropriate MAC and 2) the providers’ patients have signed private pay contracts which include specific provisions related to Medicare.
    • Eligible providers who did not file an opt-out affidavit within 10 days of signing a private pay contract with a Medicare beneficiary are required to 1) Enroll as a Medicare provider; and 2) Submit claims on behalf of the Medicare beneficiary to the appropriate MAC.

    For more information about Medicare and how to opt into or out of the Medicare system, visit CAMFT’s Medicare Corner. Providers who have questions about their Medicare status and/or letters they are receiving from Noridian may contact Noridian directly at 1-855-609-9960.

    Click the image below to view the latest issue of the CA BBS Newsletter


    • Click HERE for the latest legislative updates from State CAMFT
    • Click HERE for the latest from State CAMFT's advocacy Action Center

    SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STUDENTS!

    The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) is offering exciting scholarship opportunities for applicants preparing to become behavioral health professionals.

    Eligible applicants may receive up to $35,000 in exchange for a 12-month service obligation practicing and providing direct care in an underserved community. An informational webinar on eligibility and how to apply will be held on January 16, 2025, from 1:30pm – 3:30pm. You can register for the webinar here.

    The application cycle for this program is open from January 2 – February 13, 2025. To help determine if you are eligible for a funding opportunity, please use the HCAI Funding Eligibility Tool.

    Member Announcements

    Live With Ease Wellness Center warmly welcomes our newest therapist, Cate Trandai (she/they), AMFT, to our private psychotherapy and wellness practice! Read about Cate below! Check out all that Live With Ease Wellness Center has to offer here: https://linktr.ee/livewitheasewellnesscenter 


    If you are an actively registered Member of LBSB CAMFT, you have the opportunity to market yourself, your events, your space, and positions you are hiring for or seeking for FREE! To submit an ad to be posted in M2M, send an email to our Marketing Director, Claire Morrison, at marketing@lbsbcamft.org with a photo and/or brief text and any links to be shared and it will be posted in our next two M2M emails. To apply for membership, click here.

    If you would like to have an email sent out specifically dedicated to your ad/business, please email our President, Chris McKnight, about setting up a sponsored e-blast. She can be reached via email at president@lbsbcamft.org. This is a great way to further LBSB CAMFT's mission of supporting local therapists by providing learning and community-building opportunities.

    M2M & Sponsored e-blasts are sent out to over 1,100 people! Contact us today to set up your advertisement.

    Announcements from Members and Sponsors are approved for posting by the Board but do not constitute endorsement and may not reflect the opinions of LBSB CAMFT.

    How to Submit to M2M

    • M2M emails go out weekly on Mondays
    • Please submit info in brief text format by the Sunday afternoon prior to the desired posting of your submission
    • A flyer in jpg or png format can also be submitted and a link will be added to the photo, if provided
    • For more details on how to request an M2M (members only) or e-blast advertisement available to members & non-members), see our full guidelines, which can be found here 
    • Please send M2M submissions to marketing@lbsbcamft.org
    • Please send requests for sponsored e-blasts to president@lbsbcamft.org

    We look forward to hearing from you. All feedback is welcomed and appreciated.


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