Other CTAMFT Advocacy Initiatives
Interprofessional Collaboration
CTAMFT's Advocacy Chair, Jaime Rodriguez, has worked very diligently at developing, fostering and repairing relationships with all LMHPs (Licensed Mental Health Professional) State organizations.
Jaime has participated in the newly developed Behavioral Health Interprofessional Collaboration (BHIC), which includes all 8 Connecticut LMHPs. (MFTs, LPCs, SWs, LADCs, APRNs, PAs, Psychologists and Psychiatrists).
With this unified front, CTAMFT has taken joint actions on 3 major advocacy initiatives this session alone. Collaborated CONNIE efforts has been the largest collective undertaking. Telehealth and Licensing Fees also utilized an integrated push from multiple mental health provider associations.
Advocacy Chair has cultivated a collaborative professional relationship with the CCA Advocacy team through the shared goal of inclusion in mental health legislative language.
Harnessing the systemic approach and combined voices of all Connecticut mental health professionals has significantly impacted our advocacy efforts and provided a live example of the power of systemic intervention MFTs bring to the field for both fellow colleagues and legislators.
CONNIE
CTAMFT is currently collaborating with several committees to address the concerns related to the upcoming mandate of provider enrollment. For specifics of current CTAMFT recommendations, please visit our CONNIE page, here.
Private Insurance Concerns
CTAMFT continues to hear and understand the ongoing concerns and barriers to providers accepting private insurance.
CTAMFT Advocacy is still engaged in the private insurance workgroup that is comprised of legislators, mental health professional representatives and insurance carrier representatives.
We encourage you to document any and all private insurance carrier issues and submit them to the Insurance Commissioner, Andrew Mais, directly at the following email: cid.admin@ct.gov
Loan Reimbursement
Marriage and Family Therapists are currently included in several loan reimbursement programs federally.
The Federal Loan Repayment Program by the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) includes MFTs and provides student loan repayment to LMFTs and other healthcare professionals in exchange for a commitment to provide services at NHSC-approved sites in underserved urban and rural communities.
- The deadline for the NHSC Loan repayment program application for the 2023 fiscal year is April 25th, 2023. For more information and steps needed for applying, you can check out their website at nhsc.hrsa.gov (and will be available on our website).
MFTs are also included in the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recover Loan Repayment Program (STAR LRP), which provides support for those working directly with individuals recovering from substance use disorders. The STAR program typically opens applications later in the year. Stay tuned for updates on when and how applications will be accepted.
Locally, Connecticut has the established Connecticut SLRP (CSLRP), which is a federal-state partnership that assists states in addressing the health professional shortages that cause disparities in access to healthcare.
Additional local moves: current legislation HB 6901 to offer student loan reimbursement for undergraduate loans. CTAMFT has submitted testimony in support of this bill and asked for the bill to be amended to include graduate level loans. We are continuing to watch this bill as the legislative session is still in progress.