Press Room

On Tuesday the Governor held a ceremonial signing of the mental health bill at Children's Hospital in St. Paul. The Governor spoke to the importance of addressing the mental health needs, particularly of our youth. The event was kicked off by CEO of Children's Hospital, Dr. Gorelick, who shared the increased number of children and youth who are seeking help and treatment. Senator Draheim and Representative Fischer spoke about the importance of the bill and that it was a bipartisan effort. Sue Abderholden, NAMI Minnesota's executive director also spoke: "The mental health bill does two things. It builds on what we know works, and it addresses gaps in our mental health system using previous research and recommendations.  We know that mobile crisis services work. We know that providing culturally informed and responsive services work. We know that school linked and shelter linked programs work. We know that providing intensive services in foster homes work. We know that programs to intensively treat and support people experiencing their first psychotic episode work. All of these effective programs received additional funds in this bill expanding the number of people they can serve. The bill then addresses the gaps in our system using previous stakeholder recommendations. One of the biggest issues is that we don’t have enough people to do the work. We have many people who graduated but don’t become licensed – a major barrier being that they couldn’t find or afford to pay for supervision. This bill creates a grant program to address this barrier. We also know that children who don’t need hospitalization but need something. That something is funded in this bill – crisis residential services, again based on a previous report on the need for crisis services for children.  These provisions are excellent steps to begin to address this crisis. We are grateful to the legislature and the governor for their leadership and support. And we want to remind people that this is an important first step – but not the last step – in ensuring that children, youth, and adults are able to access the right care at the right time in the right place." There was great press coverage, KARE11, Star Tribune, Minnesota Reformer, Mankato Free Press, and WCCO. Sue was also interviewed on Friday night on Almanac, a public affairs show on TPT. The Star Tribune also did a story on how parents will be able to stay with their children in the units. In an MPR piece that was emailed out: Minnesota’s newest mental health law is being described as an important move to expand services and clear pathways for more providers. A bipartisan contingent of state lawmakers who ushered the plan through late in the legislative session gathered Tuesday to mark its passage as Gov. Walz held a ceremonial signing. The plan puts extra money toward services proven to work and tries new approaches, said Sue Abderholden of Minnesota’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “We want to remind people that this is an important first step, not the last step in ensuring that children, youth and adults are able to access the right care at the right time and in the right place,” Abderholden said. Tens of millions of dollars will be put into mobile crisis services, culturally informed services, school-based programs, residential and inpatient treatment and intervention for people sliding into crisis. The law also reduces financial barriers for people entering mental health professions. NAM Minnesota is very proud of the work that went into this bill and thanks the Governor, legislators, DHS, providers and members of the Mental Health Legislative Network - along with everyone who called and emailed their legislators - for getting this bill passed.

MN FRONTLINE WORKER PROGRAM-

In order to see if you might qualify for this program and receive reimbursement for your service during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency,  please click HERE to read more about it.

MAMFT’s board is currently working on the ABCs for MFTs

A is for Advocacy- Advocating for our profession

B is for Branding- Creating a consistent message of who MAMFT is today

C is for Community- Providing spaces for members to connect with each other and learn together

Advocacy Update: Pay Parity!

Right now many insurance companies reimburse at a LOWER rate for relational therapy, than they do for individual therapy. And there are some specific insurance plans that do not cover relational therapy at all! MFTs deserve equal compensation for the challenging work we do in supporting couples, families, and other relational units. We are currently working to secure a legal team to help us in this important work of seeking pay parity for our work! 

Stay tuned for next steps, or contact Alex Iantaffi at president@mamft.net if you are interested in being a part of these efforts. 

Branding Update: Feedback Received!

Thank you to the members who responded to our survey about MAMFT’s brand! We received both positive and constructive feedback from over 25 members. We are using that feedback to help define our organization’s direction going forward. We will be refreshing some of our brand elements in the coming months. 

If you participated in the survey, you will be invited to participate in focus groups once we have developed drafts of the new brand elements. If you would like to participate in a focus group, please contact Leah Seeger at externalaffairs@mamft.net

Community Update: State Fair, Return of SOS and More Community Events Coming Soon!

MAMFT is going back to the State Fair! Last year we joined NAMI for Mental Health Day at the MN State Fair. We talked to people about the importance of seeing an MFT for relational issues, and promoted the therapist finder on MAMFT’s website. We are currently working to plan another great day at the fair. More information on dates for 2022 fair participation coming soon!

This fall we will be re-launching our Sessions on Saturday (SOS) programming. These events are designed to help connect current and prospective MFTs with each other at campuses across Minnesota. We plan to have events scheduled at the return of the school year this fall. 

We are also looking to develop events throughout the fall for MFTs to connect with each other for social and community support. If you want to host an event (watch party, group gathering, or other activity) please contact Leah Seeger at externalaffairs@mamft.net

We are excited to announce that we have hired Lucreshia Grant, MS as our new Administrative Coordinator.   

Lucreshia earned her Master's Degree from University of Wisconsin Stout.  She is currently working at the Relationship Therapy Center adn according to their website, "Simply put – no one cares more than Lucreshia."

Lucreshia loves to spend time with her family, especially her nephew Naeem.  She also loves being outdoors as much as possible.

WELCOME LUCRESHIA! 

Call for Nominations!

Nominations are now being accepted for open MAMFT Board positions for the election that will be held in Fall 2022. We are looking for committed members of MAMFT that would like to be more active in our association. All positions will begin January 2023. Click here for information on the positions.

MAMFT is hiring a part-time Administrative Coordinator (contract position).  

The Purpose of this Position

The purpose of this position is to manage all administrative and other tasks as assigned by  the Executive  Director  of  the  Minnesota   Association  for  Marriage  and   Family  Therapy  (MAMFT)  per the direction of the MAMFT board.

Reporting and Supervision

This position reports to and is supervised by the Executive Director of MAMFT.

This position will have at least one supervisory evaluation each year that will be written and kept on file and a minimum of one phone or face-to-face meeting with the MAMFT  Executive  Director  per  month.

Status

This is a contract position not eligible for benefits.

Average hours are approximately  20-25  per week.  Weekly hours will vary according to MAMFT calendar of events and special projects.

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate with experience. The starting compensation range is $20 per hour.

Duties and Responsibilities

This list is illustrative only and is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete list of core duties and responsibilities for this position.

• Oversee all aspects of administrative coordination.

• Maintain confidentiality of board business.

• Perform  general  clerical  duties  to  include,  but  not  limited  to,   copying,  faxing,  mailing  and filing.

• Create and modify documents such as invoices, reports, memos, letters and financial statements using Microsoft Office (primarily Word and Excel),  Google Suite apps (Docs, Sheets, etc.) and other  software  such  QuickBooks and WordPress.

• Create and send email blasts on a weekly basis.

• Email  correspondence with members,  the  Board  and  the  community.  Must be able to respond to emails within 1 business day.   

• Open,  sort and  distribute incoming correspondence, including mail and email.  This will also include uploading documents to the MAMFT drive.

• Update the member email blast list on a weekly basis.

• Make updates to the MAMFT website upon request and monitor for outdated material. Post board meeting minutes  monthly  and  financial  reports  quarterly.   Add  all  meeting  and  event  dates  to  the website calendar.  Share  all  meetings  dates and association events with  board  members  via  Google Suite.

• Create  online  elections  ballot and candidate  information pages.

• Assist with setting up MAMFT board and collaborative meetings.

• Manage and set-up registration (on-line)  for MAMFT events/ trainings.

• Create and update website forms.

• Monitor member applications and payment.

•  Issue refunds as needed 

• Help members trouble-shoot website and email blast issues.

• Complete 1099 forms at the end of the fiscal year.

• Coordinate MAMFT Training Series workshops, including ongoing webinar tasks.

• Assist with MAMFT Annual Conference and other conference event planning as assigned.

• Perform updates and assist with access to Google Suite user accounts.

• Process orders for merchandise purchases.  Keep inventory and initiate order to replenish supplies when needed.

• Regularly share information via MAMFT’s social media sites.

• Monthly back-up of MAMFT records.

• Interact with the MAMFT Board, Committees, members and stakeholders of MAMFT in a professional and respectful  manner.

• Maintenance of MAMFT storage unit and inventory of supplies.

• Research, price and purchase office supplies.

• Assist with training event tasks such as creation of CEU certificates, evaluation forms, venue selection, reminder emails to registrants, coordination with presenters, etc.

• Assist with coordination of the quarterly newsletter.

• Assistance with MAMFT committees at the direction of the Executive Director.

• Support projects as assigned by the Executive Director with direction from the board.

• Assist in  special  events  as  directed  by  the  Executive  Director  with  direction  from  the  board.

• Assist with tasks that support the Strategic Plan, as assigned by the Executive Director, such as helping coordinate member community service projects and participation in community events. 

• Other duties as assigned by the MAMFT Executive Director.

• Interface with website company.  Trouble-shoot issues.

Core Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the Mission and Vision of MAMFT.

• Cultural competence and ability to work with diverse populations.

• Excellent verbal and written skills, analytical and problem‐solving skills.

• Ability to multi-task and communicate assertively.

• Ability  to  communicate  effectively  with  board  and  committee  members,  MAMFT  members  and stakeholders.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Flexibility  and  ability  to  work  with  and  adapt  to  different  managing  styles  and  personalities.

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least three (3) years of experience in general office responsibilities and procedures.

• Knowledge  of  principles  and  practices  of  basic  office  management   and  organization,  project  planning and execution, and general administration.

• Must to be proficient with Word, Excel, Publisher, and Google

• Knowledge of the basic principles and practices of bookkeeping

If you are interested, please email your resume to Megan at executivedirector@mamft.net

We want to update you on some changes that have happened on the board. First, we would like to warmly welcome Alex Iantaffi, Ph.D., SEP, CST, LMFT, to the position of President of MAMFT. Alex is moving from President-Elect to President after our most recent President, Lucas Volini, resigned from the position. We are grateful for Lucas’ contributions to MAMFT, including leading us through an extensive bylaw change. This work will have an impactful legacy that we hope will last for years to come, and we thank Lucas for his service.

We are aware this announcement denotes a higher turnover in board leadership over the last couple years, and we recognize how these changes may impact members. While it makes sense that the turbulence created by the pandemic also impacts our board, as board members are serving as both clinicians and leaders during such a challenging time in our world. We also understand that changes in leadership can create an additional stressor in an already uncertain world. For this, we sincerely apologize to you, our members. We invite any member with specific concerns, needs, or feedback to reach out to either Alex Iantaffi (president@mamft.net) or Megan Oudekerk (executivedirector@mamft.net) so that we can collaborate with you to meet MAMFT’s larger needs more effectively. 

Over the last two months, as we have worked to transition to a new board structure, we have noticed a shift—both internally in our organization, and in the world. With this shift has come increased clarity, direction, and commitment to our local community. Going forward we hope to more effectively translate our work in board meetings, to your experience as members. At the very least, please know we appreciate the patience you have extended to MAMFT as we solidified our identity outside of AAMFT.

Dear colleagues,

I'm sure many of you are already aware of the horrific anti-trans situation in Texas that would not only criminalize gender-affirming care but literally view affirming parents as abusive and any nurturing of trans, nonbinary and/or gender expansive youth as child abuse. If not, here is some information about what is happening: https://time.com/6150964/greg-abbott-trans-kids-child-abuse/

Abbott's preposterous directive to state health agencies means that healthcare providers would be viewed as criminals if they do not 'turn in' trans youth and their families. This directive followed a legal opinion released by Attorney General Ken Paxton on February 18th, which deemed gender-affirming care as child abuse under Texas law.

I am sure you can imagine what devastating impact this would have on trans, nonbinary and/or gender expansive youth and their families as well as on family therapists in Texas. If you live in Texas, please contact your state representatives and let them know that you oppose these horrific statements and directive. Please remind them that gender-affirming care is evidence-based and recommended by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, as well as supported by scholarly evidence. It is not a politician's place to determine what is medically necessary or not.

You can also contact the Office of the Texas Governor here: https://gov.texas.gov/contact

Here are some other actions you can take, whether you live in Texas or not:

• You can still contact the Office of the Texas Governor and let them know what you think as a family therapist
• Donate to the Transgender Network Education of Texas, which it's the largest trans-led organization in the state: https://www.transtexas.org/
• Support the Central Texas Transgender Health Coalition: https://txtranshealth.org/
• Support Texas Trans Youth Alliance, a student-led organization: https://txtransyouthalliance.wixsite.com/ttya
• Become an advocate for Resources for Transgender Youth in Texas: https://www.txtranskids.org/
• Donate to the National Center for Transgender Equality: https://transequality.org/
• Donate to Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/
• Donate to Lambda Legal, a national organization dedicated to promoting and protecting civil rights for LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV nationally: https://www.lambdalegal.org/
• Check in with your trans, nonbinary, and/or gender expansive clients, family members, neighbors and colleagues. This type of news impacts our communities and often increase suicidality (and as trans folks we already experience suicidality at ten times the rate of cis folks)
• Become active where you live. This type of anti-trans legislation is sweeping the country. Texas is the latest and loudest manifestation but this anti-trans sentiments are national and dangerous. Check with your local organizations and state representatives to see what is going on where you live.
• Follow the lead of trans communities if you are a cis ally. Make sure to pass the mic to a trans person whenever possible.
• If you are trans, breathe, take care of yourself, connect with community, and turn off the news when you need to. We're not alone.

Thank you for all you do in your communities,

Alex

******************************************************************************

Since writing this letter to the members of the Queer and Trans Advocacy Network, additional anti-trans legislation has been introduced and in some cases passed in various states. For example, Florida House of Representatives just passed the "Don't Say Gay or Trans" bill, which impacts educators, as well as mental health providers working in school and, of course, youth and their families. You can find out more information about this here: https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/breaking-florida-house-of-representatives-passes-dont-say-gay-or-trans-bill. You can tell Florida lawmakers to oppose this legislation via this form: https://act.eqfl.org/a/oppose-dont-say-gay-bill2 The Florida House of Representatives also passed the "Stop WOKE Act" last Thursday, which would again hinder educators and mental health providers working in schools from talking not just about gender and sexuality but also race and discrimination: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/florida-house-passes-stop-woke-act-to-limit-talks-on-race-gender-and-discrimination-in-schools-workplaces/ You can tell Florida lawmakers to oppose this legislation via this form: https://act.eqfl.org/a/tell-florida-lawmakers-oppose-stop-woke

At the same time, Georgia Senate passed legislation banning the participation of trans athletes in sports team aligned with their gender identity: https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-denounces-georgia-senates-passage-of-anti-trans-sports-legislation Around the same time, the Alabama House of Representatives passed another anti-trans bill impacting children in K-12 public schools: https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/02/23/alabama-trans-bathroom-ban-house/ 2022 seems to be following the sad record of 2021. Last year we witnessed legislators introduce 147 anti-trans bills across 34 states: https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/2021-officially-becomes-worst-year-in-recent-history-for-lgbtq-state-legislative-attacks-as-unprecedented-number-of-states-enact-record-shattering-number-of-anti-lgbtq-measures-into-law.

Please pay attention to what is happening in your state and how it is impacting your clients and their families, as well as your colleagues.

NAMI Press Conference

Do you serve children, teens, and family units? Here is some great information on the state of mental health services for young people in MN.

The Minnesota Mental Health Legislative Network (MHLN) in partnership with the Minnesota Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) held a virtual press conference on the current state of mental health supports for children and teens throughout Minnesota. 

If you are planning on attending Mental Health Day on the Hill, this press conference has great information you can take to our elected officials.

Information from the press conference is available here:

https://namimn.org/legislative-network-holds-childrens-mental-health-press-conference/

The full video of the press conference is available at the following link (our own board member, Lisa Xiong, makes an appearance in the video!)

https://gapschool-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/lxiong_thechangeinc_org/Eary3fDkwUdPn1Xr9HIw23MBjiqmhlgig7b7iSEWBju2iA?e=GQZzr5

Grant Deadline Approaching- BIPOC and other Under-Represented LMFTs Working to Become Supervisors May Qualify for Tuition Reimbursement

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) annually offers grants to people from under-represented communities who are working to become supervisors in their respective mental health field. The formal name of the program is the Mental Health Cultural Community Continuing Education Grant Program- Individual Providers Tuition Scholarship Program.

If you are a BIPOC individual or identify as a member of another under-represented community, and are in the process of/are planning to become a board approved supervisor, you may qualify for tuition reimbursement up to $9,295. The next deadline for application is March 22nd, 2022.

Full Information about the grant and the application process is available here:

https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/ruralhealth/funding/grants/docs/2022mhcccerfp.pdf

An informational webinar and Q&A session about this Grant will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 24. Visit the below link to sign up for the informational webinar:

https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/ruralhealth/funding/grants/mhccce.html#mhcccet