2020 Mid-Year Report

GREETINGS!

A warm welcome from the NJPA President and Executive Director

Click Here to Watch President's Video

A Message from NJPA President Dr. Lucy

Sant'Anna

Takagi

and Executive Director Keira

Boertzel-Smith

We are excited to produce the 5th Annual Mid-Year Business Report for the purpose of transparency, accountability, and telling our story. What a story it has been in 2020! The Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis continues to produce significant consequences across the state of New Jersey, and beyond. Even in the middle of a public health pandemic, NJPA stands together as an association, made up of approximately over 1,600 members in all

career stages and diverse work settings, invested in the business and science of psychology, and continuing service to the diverse populations of NJ and surrounding areas

In June, we conducted a COVID-19 Member Survey Results reflected how this unprecedented crisis required many members to adjust their normal professional work and practices.

It is our continued goal in 2020 to ensure that the association remains on course during these challenging times

Join us on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at 3 pm for the NJPA Business Meeting

RSVP HERE!

M E M B E R S H I P the benefits of

We excel at helping our members succeed!

Networking Opportunities

Professional Development Discounts

Practice Building

Confidential Consultations

Exclusive Online Resources

Diverse Communities

Directory Listings

Free Publications

Exposure to the Public Political Clout

We are a dynamic association, successfully serving our members for over 80 years by protecting, promoting, and enhancing the profession of psychology. We are an indispensable network of resources for the public and media, as well as an influential presence helping shape mental health policies in New Jersey

Our Mission ... the advancement of psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting health and human welfare in an atmosphere that supports the diversity of its members and the society at large.

Our Partnership

We joined, as equal partners, with the New Jersey Chapter Association of Black Psychologists (NJABPsi) and the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey (LMHANJ) to form the Inter-Mental Health and Psychological Associations Coalition (IMPAC) where each will contribute their unique educational acumen, expertise, and perspectives to obtain synergy as a a resource to promote equality in mental healthcare and to zealously advocate for the mental health needs for the diverse population of the state of New Jersey.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

It is our intention to raise the consciousness of our members about issues of diversity These issues include, but are not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, religion, disability, country of origin, and marital status We are committed to addressing these issues and concerns in our programs and publications

the importance of

The Importance of Member Dues: Making It All Possible!

Your dues fund Central Office staff who:

• answer member questions

• help the public with referrals

• oversee database management

• manage the website

• conduct event & program planning

• publish our quarterly journals

• create electronic messages

• implement NJPA Foundation grants and NJP-Political Action Committee efforts

Your dues also go towards retaining a government affairs agent, technology platforms, virtual meeting accounts, technology support, financial services, providing NJPA leadership the opportunity to attend the APA Practice Leadership Conference, and pay rent on brick and mortar space to hold meetings and events.

Unlike the American Psychological Association (APA), we rely on membership dues to run the association's daily operations, whereas large revenue sources for APA come from their publication division and real estate properties Our membership dues are no longer covering our growing expenses because our membership populations are shifting and shrinking, much like other state psychological associations, while NJPA Central Office expenses for staff, insurance, rent, and technology needs continue to grow each year

In addition, as you are aware, New Jersey continues to be an extremely expensive state NJPA is working on increasing nondues revenue streams to help cover the gap. Continuing education is currently the largest non-dues revenue source As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are actively working around the clock to provide psychologists with live webinars and homestudy programs to fulfill your New Jersey CE requirements However, it is still premature to fully rely on this revenue stream

As a result, NJPA must become creative in ways in which we consider membership, dues revenue, and non-dues revenue to cover our costs For 2021, we will be exploring the following strategies:

* Membership recruitment of newly licensed psychologists

* Aggressive membership dues renewal plans

* Creation of interdisciplinary continuing education and community events to increase our visibility and relevance in New Jersey

* Creation of New Jersey-centric continuing education

* Utilization of social media and marketing strategies to expand our continuing education audience

* Collaborations with APA and New Jersey state to develop guild and social advocacy training – such as addressing the opioid epidemic through pain management specialization, PsyPact, and addressing the mental health fallout from COVID-19

* Seeking New Jersey and federal grants

OUR DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL AFFAIRS

Susan McGroarty, PhD

Click here to listen

Our DPA*:

acts as the liaison with our NJPA committees, other state directors of professional affairs, New Jersey state resources, and the American Psychological Association (APA) resources to empower our members and encourage member education, critical thinking, and problem solving skills conducts member consultations on matters ranging from practice concerns, insurance, regulations, treatment issues, and diversity and inclusion keeps members informed, through the DPA Dispatch, and publishes numerous resources on the website for members to access

Click here to request a consultation

*available Tuesdays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm

Year-to-Date as of 7/25: 125 Consultations

a mid-year's overview

NOTABLE ASSOCIATION EVENTS

In an effort to protect the health and well-being of our staff, members, and continuing education program attendees, who use our NJPA Central Office and conference space, we closed the physical office in midMarch and will be primarily operating on a virtual basis until further notice. Rest assured, we are not suspending or closing operations. We will continue to serve you and conduct all NJPA business

Scheduled NJPA continuing education events and meetings remain as planned, but have been moved to virtual platforms

For reliable information and updates about COVID-19 resources and New Jersey reopening plans, please visit our COVID-19 members only page.

Thank you for your continued understanding and support as we all try to navigate this rapidly changing situation Most importantly, please stay safe and healthy

Jan 2

Director of Professional Affairs Executive Search

Jan 14 1st Executive Board Meeting

Feb 14

COVID-19 Information Disseminated on Friday Update

Mar 7

NJPA APA PLC

Delegates Return from DC

Mar 14

NJPA Presidential Initiatives & Advocacy Updates

Mar 17

Distribution of State Lockdown Order

Mar 22

Central Office Transitions Continuing Education Programs to Virtual Events

Apr 4

DPA Speaks at NJ Assembly Health Committee Hearing

Open Association Dialogue: 2020 Hot Topics

Mar 6

New DPA Announced: Dr Susan McGroarty

Mar 10

NJPA Issues COVID-19 Contingency Plan

Mar 14

Central Office Follows Governor's Executive Stay-at-Home Order

Mar 21

NJPA Advocacy at Work! Governor Expands Access to Telehealth Services

Mar 30

NJPA Outreach to Governor, DOBI, Legislators about Telehealth

June 12

our

The NJPA Finance Committee has been closely monitoring NJPA' s financial health since the beginning of the 2020 New Jersey COVID-19 Crisis. This initiative began with the governor ' s Executive Order to shut down New Jersey in March 2020

In March, we began meeting weekly on Monday nights at 8:00 pm to assess the association's current financial state These meetings included the week's plans to have financial check-ins with the NJPA attorney, accountant, staff benefits administrators, building management company, commercial real estate broker, Bank of America, Small Business Administration, American Psychological Association leadership, and/or executive directors of other state psychological associations

Small Business Administration Loans (SBA)

March 2020, the NJPA Executive Board approved applications for the SBA Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loan and the Economic, Injury, Disaster Loan (EIDL) In May 2020, NJPA was approved for both loans

May 4, 2020, we reconsidered our participation in the PPP loan program due to updated information about loan eligibility and necessity certification, released in late April though early May.

May 5, 2020, NJPA received a $5,000 SBA EIDL advancement The advance does not need to be repaid, and may be used to keep NJPA employees on payroll, to pay for sick leave, or pay NJPA business obligations, including debts, and rent payments

On May 14, 2020, additional eligibility was added to the PPP loan through the proposed Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act

We are continuing to monitor the SBA loans, updates, and eligibility requirements.

Year-to-Date Actual vs. Budget

NJPA Investment Money May - June

May 15, 2020, the Finance Committee met with investment advisors to discuss making use of NJPA investment funds to anticipate the possibility of any potential budget shortfalls in late 2020 or 2021 Currently, NJPA is solidly within budget In the context of a second wave of COVID-19, we want to be prepared for any unknowns, such as lower than expected revenue from the Fall Conference or a reduction in 2021 membership renewals

The board approved a conservative approach to begin raising cash by selling selected assets on a monthly basis to reach a predetermined amount NJPA will set aside cash to help cover any anticipated short falls in NJPA membership dues and non-dues revenue to cover our association's fixed operating expenses Cash will only be used if NJPA is significantly in need of the income to cover deficits in dues or nondues revenue

100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 6

OUR STATEMENTS

The New Jersey Psychological Association condemns, in the strongest terms, the growing open expression of anti-Semitism in the United States and the resulting violent attacks that have been directed against members of the Jewish Community.

Public Statement February 29, 2020

The New Jersey Psychological Association strongly condemns the multiple instances reported in recent news of xenophobic and racist comments and acts directed against people perceived as of Asian descent.

Public Statement March 25, 2020

Letter to Governor Murphy ~ March 25, 2020

It is with the goal of compassion in mind, that we, as psychologists, recognize how the mental and physical health of citizens from marginalized groups can be impacted by measures that may not take their specific needs into account.

C O V I D - 1 9 P A N D E M I C

Ask, listen, and prioritize NJPA member needs during COVID-19

Modified or cancelled events, remote working, government guidelines, mandates, and legislation Every day a new COVID-19 challenge comes along for all of us Meanwhile, NJPA is thinking about our members how are they dealing with the impact of COVID-19? How has their work changed? What do they need? How are they feeling?

We don’t know how our members are doing and what they need unless we ask We decided to not just rely on the COVID-19 input of board members and other volunteer leaders Their experiences may not represent all the segments of NJPA’s diverse membership Therefore, in June, we circulated a 2020 NJPA Member COVID-19 Survey The next few pages cover a summary of the survey results from 464 of our members. Click here to review the impact of COVID-19 on those who participated in the survey.

Member COVID-19 Communications:

8 COVID-19 Articles

Views: 2,613

6 Telehealth Updates

Views: 5,231

As the pandemic unfolded, NJPA leaders quickly adapted to the COVID-19 crisis, without knowing its length, and realizing, on a momentto-moment basis, the breath of its impact. A teamwork mentality and combined support contributed to significant actions that were meaningful to members and aligned with the fulfillment of our mission statement and strategic plan We maintained a consistent flow of information to members through Friday Updates, Listserv messages, social media posts,

10 COVID-19 Messages

Views: 8,516

9 Advocacy Alerts

Views: 12,450

and a web page dedicated exclusively to COVID-19 Our messages covered timely federal and state updates, evolving advocacy efforts to expand telehealth policies, and critical practice information This spring we launched our new podcast series The Spoken Word that you can find on our YouTube channel. Our quarterly e-newsletter circulated in early May featuring articles focused on Compassionate Communities

NJPA COMMUNICATIONS COVID - 19 SURVEY RESULTS *

Recommendations

Recommendations

Advice

M A R / A P R

2 0 2 0

ADVOCACY

We rallied together to connect with the New Jersey governor ' s office, state departments and public offices, legislators, other state psychological associations, and APA to promote, protect, and enhance the profession of psychology through our guild and social advocacy efforts We remained in constant contact with our Government Affairs Agent to stay abreast of the state leadership's initiatives related to mental health and the impact of COVID-19 on marginalized groups

2/24 Announce Bill A-543 which amends training requirements for psychologists: Passes Assembly 79 - 0

3/14 NJPA presidential updates to members on advocacy with BoPE, APA, DOBI

3/18 Distribution of NJPA joint letters with APA for insurers and DOBI

3/19 NJPA letters sent to governor, DOBI, and legislators

3/20 AG Grewel announces NJ temporarily waives rules for out-of-state healthcare providers

3/20 Bills signed by Governor Murphy: A-3860, A-3862, A-3843

3/22 Governor Murphy announces expansion to access to telehealth services in response to COVID-19

3/24 Action alert to contact Congress to support expansion of Medicare coverage for telehealth

4/7 NJPA president's letter on eliminating barriers on access to care during COVID-19 sent to governor, DOBI, and Senators Booker and Menendez

4/16 NJPA president discusses insurance reimbursement with DOBI

4/23 Follow-up discussion with DOBI regarding Horizon reimbursement

M A Y / J U L Y

2 0 2 0

ADVOCACY

5/18 Dissemination of NJPA & APA initiatives to Department of Health and governor to sustain the temporary emergency services of telehealth provisions for at least 12 months after public health emergency is ended

5/29 Announcement of conversation with the Board of Psychological Examiners Executive Director, Indira Nunez

6/2 Sustaining telehealth services beyond the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak

6/10 NJPA Executive Board approves joining APA and 53 other state and territorial psychological associations in urging CMS to extend telehealth coverage for at least a year beyond the end of the public health emergency declaration currently in effect

6/12 Legislators turn to NJPA for advice on New Jersey's mental health needs. NJPA Director of Professional Affairs, Dr. Susan McGroarty, speaks at the New Jersey Assembly Health Committee

6/23 New Jersey Association of Health Plans (NJAHP) issues statement on coverage for telehealth NJPA follows up with members' questions that address the discrepancies between state laws and individual health insurance plans' policies and actions NJPA reaches out directly to Horizon

6/24 Call for Action - Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Ensuring Minimal Disruption to Services

6/25 NJPA shares message urging CMS to extend telehealth coverage for at least a year beyond the end of the public health emergency declaration currently in effect with New Jersey Senators Menendez and Booker

7/1 Governor Phil Murphy signed the 90-day telehealth extension bill into law

7/23 Senate Bill S2582 that amends training requirements for psychologists, passes the Senate Commerce Committee by a vote of 5-0 NJPA President, Lucy Sant'Anna Takagi, PsyD and Christopher King, JD, PhD submitted support for the legislation The legislation will now go to the floor of the NJ Senate for its final vote and then to the governor ' s desk for his signature

7/27 PsyPact meeting hosted by The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) Director of Professional Affairs, Alex Siegel JD, PhD

a mid-year's overview on

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Webinars: the Silver Lining

The coronavirus pandemic has redefined the way NJPA conducts CE workshops. This includes a shift from in-person CE workshops and conferences to live webinars and on-demand programs. The safety and well-being of our members, presenters, and staff are of the highest priority. As a result of the crisis, online learning presents a great opportunity to keep members in touch, continue receiving CE credits, network via virtual platforms, and support one another through this challenging time

Webinars and recorded on-demand programs provide NJPA with opportunities and flexibility:

Edge in developing and diversifying CE content

Reach and expand our target audience by crossing geographical barriers

Online CE programs can be easily accessed

A webinar can be recorded allowing anyone to access Homestudy content generating additional CE revenue

Online programs are costeffective and reliable

Virtual CE programs offer opportunities to engage with speakers through polls, chats, and live Q&As

Through August 2020, NJPA presented 6 Live Webinars, on topics covering DBT, ethics, sexual abuse, opioids, immigration, and diversity and mental health NJPA webinars reached over 500 attendees, during the height of the pandemic in NJ. Our Homestudy library continues to grow with on-demand content, and the NJPA 2020 Fall Conference, offering up to 10 live CEs, is now open for registration. Join us for a full virtual experience guaranteed to meet your CE needs; offering flexibility of schedule and pricing options

*May & June: 3 colors represent 3 CE programs

NJPA 2020 CE Programs

NJPA 2020 OUTREACH

Mental Health Awareness Campaign

NJPA and NJPA Affiliates launched our 4th annual Mental Health Awareness Campaign focusing on Compassionate Communities The campaign ran from April through July featuring a video contest, social media posts, an E-Newsletter, and podcast

Inter-Mental Health & Psychological Associations Coalition (IMPAC)

We issued a joint statement on the 400 years of slavery and held a joint continuing education program titled “One Scar Too Many: Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Undocumented Immigrants in the Face of Trauma” presentation with Dr. Luz Garcini.

Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health at Montclair State University

September 25, 2020

Access to Care and Maternal Health Disparities across the New Jersey Landscape

This live webinar is for an audience of legislators, state organization representatives, community members, and mental health professionals

Immigration Emergency Action Group (IEAG)

NJPA Immigration Emergency Action Group (IEAG), a subcommittee of Committee on Diversity & Inclusion, collaborated with New Jersey Association for Infant Mental Health (NJ-AIMH) and KIds in Need of Defense (KIND) to address the complex mental health needs of refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers, and detainees

Collaboration with the Rachel Coalition (an organization that advocates for victims of domestic violence) to develop guidelines for the presiding judge of the Superior Court of NJ that would inform the use of Therapeutic Supervised Visitation (TSV) and a basis for an educational webinar that will be used to train Superior Court judges throughout NJ This is Dr Takagi’s presidential task force, chaired by Drs. Morgan Murray and Nicole Rafanello

Rachel Coalition

F O U N D A T I O N the NJPA

Our Mission

In addition to supporting the New Jersey Psychological Association (NJPA) mission, the mission of the Foundation is promoting the psychological health of the diverse people of New Jersey

Thanks to the generosity and support of our donors, the NJPA Foundation is able to continue providing awards and grants that support the training and research of graduate students who focus on the underserved residents in New Jersey. Without financial assistance, the Foundation would be unable to continue to fulfill its mission, “promoting the psychological health of the diverse people of New Jersey." We support students through Dissertation Grants, Community Service Project Grants, Graduate Student Initiated Research Awards, and Student Conference Participation Awards

Click on the image above to listen to this important message from NJPA Foundation President, Matt Hagovsky, PhD, introducing the NJPAF 2020 “Donate a Session for the Profession” Fundraising Drive. Click here to donate now!

Foundation Board of Trustees:

President, Matt Hagovsky, PhD

Secretary, Toby Kaufman, PhD

Treasurer, Abby Rosen

Trustees:

Regina Budesa, PsyD

Richard Klein, EdD

Ann Stainton, PhD

Alyssa Austern, PsyD

Belvin Williams, PhD

Eileen Kohutis, PhD

NJPA President-Elect Daniel Lee, PsyD (ex-officio non-voting officer);

NJPAGS Representative, Alexandra Gil, MA

The Foundation Flash

Our quarterly publication highlights our grantmaking efforts, celebrates our awardees and grant recipients, and highlights programs that train graduate psychology students who are dedicated to working with underserved populations in New Jersey. View past issues of the Foundation Flash here.

PSYCHOLOGISTS DURING THE PANDEMIC

New Jersey Psychology - Political Action Committee

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is stressful for New Jersey residents, communities, and legislators. Fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children Coping with stress in a healthy way will make our New Jersey residents and communities stronger

COVID-19 created a moment in time when psychologists must provide information and education to local legislators about mental health and support legislators who promote quality mental health care in the State of New Jersey In 2020, psychologists nave been meeting with legislators virtually, hosting forums to discuss mental healthcare with community and institution leadership, creating educational podcasts for distribution, and writing educational articles for publication

Most recently, the NJP-PAC provided support to Chairman of the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee and a member of the Regulated Professions Committee, Paul D Moriarty, which are important committees to the profession of psychology

How can you help support our efforts? Please consider donating to the NJP-PAC The role of NJP-PAC is to support legislators who have demonstrated their interest in and support of psychology, without regard to party affiliation. NJP-PAC solicits funds to be distributed in such a manner as to advance the stature of the profession of psychology in New Jersey. The generous financial contributions of our membership are critical to accomplish our advocacy program. We are most appreciative of those members who are able to contribute an amount greater than one session.

The reality is that without a financial commitment to our NJP-PAC, our ability to sustain support of legislators who promote quality mental healthcare in NJ will become increasingly difficult We would like to thank our members who have already contributed to NJP-PAC, as well as those members contributing now for the first time. Thank you in advance for your support.

Pledge your support here!

2020 NJP-PAC: President, Barry Katz, PhD

Treasurer, Mark Singer, EdD

Secretary, Ken Freundlich, PhD

Executive Director, Keira Boertzel-Smith Government Affairs Agent, Jon Bombardieri

EXCITING COMMITTEE NEWS!

Ethics Committee

New Online Consultation Form

The NJPA Ethics Education and Resource Committee offers free, confidential feedback exclusively to our members concerning ethical questions that may arise in the course of their practice The information provided by the Ethics Committee is designed to assist members, in an educative and consultative manner, to understand when ethical issues arise Ethics Committee consultations are available on weekdays

Access the Consultation Request form here

Colleague Assistance Committee Connect with E-lists!

An E-List is an electronic support group, similar to a Listserv, where support and exchange of ideas takes place through email Our current E-Lists include: New Parents, Retirement, COVID-19, and Peer Consultation Group. (NJPA Listserv rules 3-20 updates apply).

To find out more click here

Public Education Listen to our New Podcasts!

Our new podcasts focus on advancing the field of psychology and disseminating psychological knowledge in informative, engaging, and entertaining discussions that offer the public and professionals helpful psychological insights and emphasize the vital role psychologists play in our diverse communities

Find us on YouTube!

THANK YOU!!

We are truly proud and amazed by the hard work of our NJPA Central Office staff, leadership, and members during these trying times. We have been so incredibly busy working with, and for you, our members. We rallied together to connect with the New Jersey governor ’ s office, state departments and public offices, legislators, and APA to promote, protect, and enhance the profession of psychology through our guild and social advocacy efforts A very special thank you for being a part of this dynamic organization!

Thank you to our members, who volunteer to serve in executive board leadership roles, as committee chairs, and as members of the NJPA ongoing committees and groups The COVID-19 crisis did not slow anyone down! Academic & Scientific Affairs, Committee on Legislative Affairs (COLA), Colleague Assistance Committee (CAC), Publications Committee, Public Education Committee (PEC), E- Newsletter and Podcasts, Council on Continuing Education Affairs (CoCEA), Early Career Psychologists Committee, Ethics Committee, Forensic, Integrated Care Committee; LISTSERV Monitoring Committee, NJPA Graduate Students, Health Psychology, Psychology in the Schools (PINS), Sport Psychology, Trauma Response, Addictive Behaviors, and Psychologists for the Promotion of Child Welfare Workgroup

2020 Executive Board

NJPA OFFICERS

PRESIDENT: Lucy Sant'Anna Takagi, PsyD

PRESIDENT-ELECT: Daniel Lee, PsyD

PAST-PRESIDENT: Morgan J Murray, PhD

SECRETARY: Mary Blakeslee, PhD

TREASURER: Dan DaSilva, PhD

PARLIAMENTARIAN: Joseph Coyne, PhD

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE: (A=Affiliate generated; N=NJPA generated)

(A): Phyllis Bolling, PhD

(A): Aida Ismael-Lennon, PsyD

(A): Susan Esquilin, PhD

(N): Nicole J. Rafanello, PhD

(N): Aileen Torres, PhD

(N): Alan Lee, PsyD

SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVES

APA COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Rhonda Allen, PhD

ECP CHAIR: Christopher King, JD, PhD

NJPAGS CHAIR: Chelsea Torres, MA, LPC

AFFILIATE CAUCUS CHAIR: Phyllis Bolling, PhD

CODI CO-CHAIRS: Phyllis Bolling, PhD & Susan Herschrnan, PsyD

DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS: Francine Conway, PhD

CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF on the Executive Board

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Keira Boertzel-Smith, JD

DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL AFFAIRS: Susan C. McGroarty, PhD, ABPP

AFFILIATE REPRESENTATIVES

Northeast Counties Association of Psychologists: Nansie Ross, PsyD

Essex/Union County Association of Psychologists: Sara Tedrick Parikh, PhD

Mercer County Psychological Association: Loraine Washton, PhD

Middlesex County Association of Psychologists: Tammy Dorff, PsyD

Monmouth/Ocean Psychological Association: Deirdre Waters, PsyD

Morris County Psychological Association: TBD

Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren County Psychological Association: Janie Feldman, PsyD

South Jersey Psychological Association: Daniel Lee, PsyD

Reach us: njpa@psychologynj org | 973-243-9800 | www psychologynj org

Keira Boertzel-Smith Lucy Sant'Anna Takagi, PsyD Executive Director President