Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Thanks for reaching out Kathy. I am a LCAT at an OMH facility and will join your proposed group on yahoo to work together to get us an upgraded line with OMH. 2010 is coming soon and I agree we need to start advocating now. I hope others who work with OMH will join this yahoo forum also. As power in numbers is important. This is important alongside what the NYCCAT community have been doing. We need to advocate from all angles. Thanks, Ailish Coughlan The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but the inward significance. ~ Aristotle > > Subject: OMH LCAT's PEF > To: NYCCAT > Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 9:14 PM > I have thought about this for a long time, writing this > letter has not been > an easy decision. There are few jobs for LCATS, yet lots of > people > practicing art therapy. From what I am seeing, I do not > believe this will > change in 2010. I believe we need to start speaking to each > other about what > is going on in our OMH facilities. I am the only LCAT at my > site, and I > believe that could be the same for many of you. We have so > much to talk > about, and we could be helping each other. We need to get > NYS to create a > line and a promotion ladder for us. We can share > information on things like; > what departments we work under, who gives our clinical > supervision, how many > clients we carry on our roster, how many groups in a week, > what is being > done to keep us safe? When JCHO audits wouldn't you > like to know if you are > up to par with all the other programs they visit? > > > > I have yet to have any luck posting messages on the > listserve that was set > up by Albany, and quite frankly there are a lot of subjects > I would not feel > comfortable talking through NYS controlled lines. I created > a listserve here > on Yahoo, for any NYS OMH art therapist who wants to join. > This listserve > would be for LCAT or LCAT eligible only. I am more than > willing to do all > the leg work to confirm only these people enter this > listserve so that we > can have privacy and unity. > > > > In the past we have had discussions that were cut short due > to us > overwhelming the NYCCAT board. If we have our own listserve > we can continue > these discussions without disrupting the NYCCAT coalition. > > This is the link if you want to join me. > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NYSLCAT > > Hope to hear from you, > > Kathy Masone, LCAT ATR-BC, CH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Also, Ailish and Kathy, NYCCAT is working on a new website that will have the capacity to have message boards and forums so that conversations like these and others can happen in one place. We are working for a start-up date early 2009. It is certainly something we need. Debbie Stone, Board Member debbiestone@... OMH LCAT's PEF> To: NYCCAT > Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 9:14 PM> I have thought about this for a long time, writing this> letter has not been> an easy decision. There are few jobs for LCATS, yet lots of> people> practicing art therapy. From what I am seeing, I do not> believe this will> change in 2010. I believe we need to start speaking to each> other about what> is going on in our OMH facilities. I am the only LCAT at my> site, and I> believe that could be the same for many of you. We have so> much to talk> about, and we could be helping each other. We need to get> NYS to create a> line and a promotion ladder for us. We can share> information on things like;> what departments we work under, who gives our clinical> supervision, how many> clients we carry on our roster, how many groups in a week,> what is being> done to keep us safe? When JCHO audits wouldn't you> like to know if you are> up to par with all the other programs they visit? > > > > I have yet to have any luck posting messages on the> listserve that was set> up by Albany, and quite frankly there are a lot of subjects> I would not feel> comfortable talking through NYS controlled lines. I created> a listserve here> on Yahoo, for any NYS OMH art therapist who wants to join.> This listserve> would be for LCAT or LCAT eligible only. I am more than> willing to do all> the leg work to confirm only these people enter this> listserve so that we> can have privacy and unity.> > > > In the past we have had discussions that were cut short due> to us> overwhelming the NYCCAT board. If we have our own listserve> we can continue> these discussions without disrupting the NYCCAT coalition.> > This is the link if you want to join me.> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NYSLCAT> > Hope to hear from you,> > Kathy Masone, LCAT ATR-BC, CH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 I considered starting a community group, which would have forums, live chat, etc. I have adminstrated on groups in communityzero for a number of years, they have a great inexpensive format. I had written NYCAT about doing this a year ago and never got an answer. Things have only gotten worse in the past year. OMH employees need to act now. Some of us are in danger of loosing our positions as budget cuts will be happening in January. It is quite possible that if we took care of the problems in OMH there could be lots of new jobs for lcats across the state, so it serves everyone, not just omh people. Which is why we should have NYCATs support. A separate listserve for this would help move things along also, because most people working in OMH are not going to discuss things in a forum that could include unknown people. A few people wrote to me asking to be included, even though they do not work in OMH. People are disturbed that things have moved so slowly. We understand that NYCAT has many issues to deal with, but we want to get involved and this seems to be the best way to start. Kathy Masone > > Also, Ailish and Kathy, NYCCAT is working on a new website that will have the capacity to have message boards and forums so that conversations like these and others can happen in one place. We are working for a start-up date early 2009. > It is certainly something we need. > Debbie Stone, Board Member > debbiestone@... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Thank you Jon. This group was only launched this week, so the few members who have joined so far have only come from this listserve. The new group will have the same goals as NYCCAT and will be completely supportive of NYCCAT. I understand there is much going on in NYCCAT right now. As I mentioned to Debbie Stone last week, I hope that the group seriously considers skyping these meetings so that more members can be involved. We have discussed some things about OMH on this list in the past and were asked to curb it. This separate list makes sense for that reason as well as our need for private discussions. I think one has to work for OMH to understand why we need to do this. > > Kathy and all, > I agree that it's important to lobby for the LCAT lines in the OMH agencies > and hospitals. It's also very frustrating that NYCCAT does not yet have the > infrastructure in place to make efforts toward this goal right now. I'm not > entirely certain why OMH employee might be reluctant to discuss the > situation in this group, but if having a private space to discuss it helps > to further these goals, then by all means. At present, a relatively small > amount of money has been collected by NYCCAT through this e-group, and I > wonder if the majority of members of this group plan to join NYCCAT and pay > dues when the time comes, and how many inactive accounts are on the e-group > roster. It feels like we are the smallest and least influential of the > professions that were recently licensed, and unless we work on building a > solid infra-structure and raising money, we will not be able to effect any > changes except on a grass-roots level. Unfortunately, that is a slow road > and does not always sway the powers that be. > > I hope that you or someone else involved in this endeavor can attend NYCCAT > meetings to let us know what the goals of this effort are, and if there is > anything NYCCAT can offer you in this work. This affects everyone, not only > those who currently work for OMH, but in creating new jobs it may affect > many more in the CAT community. Also, please update the rest of the > membership if there is news to report from your E-group. Thanks, > > -Jon Borah > NYCCAT Board > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Kathy, Thanks for reviving the discussion. Keep in mind that this is a Civil Service and all the state agencies that employ civil service workers issue. Also the state budget being as it is the likelyhood of change would be minimal since the chages to have us correctly titled would also include being appropriately compansated - i.e. pay raise. One change that we could all strive for would be establishing a Sr. Recreation Therapist title for all creative arts therapist. Currently there is only a title set aside for Music therapist on a salary grade 17 level. Even though we should be graded more in the 20's , like social workers and rehabilitation counselors, this would be a good and probably doable start. Good luck in your efforts. Walters LCAT-ATR > > I have thought about this for a long time, writing this letter has not been > an easy decision. There are few jobs for LCATS, yet lots of people > practicing art therapy. From what I am seeing, I do not believe this will > change in 2010. I believe we need to start speaking to each other about what > is going on in our OMH facilities. I am the only LCAT at my site, and I > believe that could be the same for many of you. We have so much to talk > about, and we could be helping each other. We need to get NYS to create a > line and a promotion ladder for us. We can share information on things like; > what departments we work under, who gives our clinical supervision, how many > clients we carry on our roster, how many groups in a week, what is being > done to keep us safe? When JCHO audits wouldn't you like to know if you are > up to par with all the other programs they visit? > > > > I have yet to have any luck posting messages on the listserve that was set > up by Albany, and quite frankly there are a lot of subjects I would not feel > comfortable talking through NYS controlled lines. I created a listserve here > on Yahoo, for any NYS OMH art therapist who wants to join. This listserve > would be for LCAT or LCAT eligible only. I am more than willing to do all > the leg work to confirm only these people enter this listserve so that we > can have privacy and unity. > > > > In the past we have had discussions that were cut short due to us > overwhelming the NYCCAT board. If we have our own listserve we can continue > these discussions without disrupting the NYCCAT coalition. > > This is the link if you want to join me. > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NYSLCAT > > Hope to hear from you, > > Kathy Masone, LCAT ATR-BC, CH > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Kathy, Thanks for reviving the discussion. Keep in mind that this is a Civil Service and all the state agencies that employ civil service workers issue. Also the state budget being as it is the likelyhood of change would be minimal since the chages to have us correctly titled would also include being appropriately compansated - i.e. pay raise. One change that we could all strive for would be establishing a Sr. Recreation Therapist title for all creative arts therapist. Currently there is only a title set aside for Music therapist on a salary grade 17 level. Even though we should be graded more in the 20's , like social workers and rehabilitation counselors, this would be a good and probably doable start. Good luck in your efforts. Walters LCAT-ATR > > I have thought about this for a long time, writing this letter has not been > an easy decision. There are few jobs for LCATS, yet lots of people > practicing art therapy. From what I am seeing, I do not believe this will > change in 2010. I believe we need to start speaking to each other about what > is going on in our OMH facilities. I am the only LCAT at my site, and I > believe that could be the same for many of you. We have so much to talk > about, and we could be helping each other. We need to get NYS to create a > line and a promotion ladder for us. We can share information on things like; > what departments we work under, who gives our clinical supervision, how many > clients we carry on our roster, how many groups in a week, what is being > done to keep us safe? When JCHO audits wouldn't you like to know if you are > up to par with all the other programs they visit? > > > > I have yet to have any luck posting messages on the listserve that was set > up by Albany, and quite frankly there are a lot of subjects I would not feel > comfortable talking through NYS controlled lines. I created a listserve here > on Yahoo, for any NYS OMH art therapist who wants to join. This listserve > would be for LCAT or LCAT eligible only. I am more than willing to do all > the leg work to confirm only these people enter this listserve so that we > can have privacy and unity. > > > > In the past we have had discussions that were cut short due to us > overwhelming the NYCCAT board. If we have our own listserve we can continue > these discussions without disrupting the NYCCAT coalition. > > This is the link if you want to join me. > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NYSLCAT > > Hope to hear from you, > > Kathy Masone, LCAT ATR-BC, CH > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Sharon, I guess you do not work in civil service. True, a Sr. Recration line does exist. Yet it is not seporated by creative arts disciplines besides Music Therapy. As you mentioned there is a great deal of bureaucracy within civil service. That's why attempting to work small and build up most likely will get a better response that trying to do too much. Especially in the current money mess that the state is in. And, yes, I do think that Creative Art Therapist should have their own lines seporate from Recreation Therapy. Most of us have master's degrees and licenses, both lacking with most Recreation Therapist. The problem is that Civil Service does not see a need to recognize advanced degrees and licenses when it comes to our discipline. Seniority and passing civil service exams are what counts. That's just the nature of the beast. Yet, with other disciplines, like Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, and teaching it seems that advanced degrees and licenses do count and are part of the criteria for advancement and for that matter empoyment. Interestingly enough you don't need a license to practice Creative Arts Therapy in Civil Service. 2010 is when that might change. Until Creative Arts Therapy is seen in the same light as those titles, and other similar ones like Rehabilitation Counselor, we will still be seen as we currently are. For most of us, I'm sure the monitary advances would be very important. For me I'd like to see that my efforts in education and licensing have not gone to waste. Being appropriately title would give me the sense of acknowledgement that I'm looking for. > > > > I have thought about this for a long time, writing this letter has > not been > > an easy decision. There are few jobs for LCATS, yet lots of people > > practicing art therapy. From what I am seeing, I do not believe > this will > > change in 2010. I believe we need to start speaking to each other > about what > > is going on in our OMH facilities. I am the only LCAT at my site, > and I > > believe that could be the same for many of you. We have so much to > talk > > about, and we could be helping each other. We need to get NYS to > create a > > line and a promotion ladder for us. We can share information on > things like; > > what departments we work under, who gives our clinical > supervision, how many > > clients we carry on our roster, how many groups in a week, what is > being > > done to keep us safe? When JCHO audits wouldn't you like to know > if you are > > up to par with all the other programs they visit? > > > > > > > > I have yet to have any luck posting messages on the listserve that > was set > > up by Albany, and quite frankly there are a lot of subjects I > would not feel > > comfortable talking through NYS controlled lines. I created a > listserve here > > on Yahoo, for any NYS OMH art therapist who wants to join. This > listserve > > would be for LCAT or LCAT eligible only. I am more than willing to > do all > > the leg work to confirm only these people enter this listserve so > that we > > can have privacy and unity. > > > > > > > > In the past we have had discussions that were cut short due to us > > overwhelming the NYCCAT board. If we have our own listserve we can > continue > > these discussions without disrupting the NYCCAT coalition. > > > > This is the link if you want to join me. > > http://health. groups.yahoo. com/group/ NYSLCAT > > > > Hope to hear from you, > > > > Kathy Masone, LCAT ATR-BC, CH > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 Check this website out http://www.cs.state.ny.us/ . That should clear up your question. > > > What does " Civil Service " refer to? I am confused by your use of that term--or maybe just confused in general. > > > > Zapotechne MA ATR, LCAT-limited permitArt TherapistNew York City > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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