Marriage & Family Therapy
Strategic Plan
The
TAMFT Board of Directors adopted a strategic plan September 22, 2000,
which focuses the activities of the organization.
STRENGTHENING THE ORGANIZATION
Goal 1: Maintain a strong and involved TAMFT membership
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Objective 1.1
Solicit new members to AAMFT/TAMFT.
Task 1.1.1 Maintain contact with all MFT programs in Tennessee encouraging student member involvement.
Task 1.1.2 Welcome new members and transferring members.
Task 1.1.3 Solicit LMFT’s who aren’t AAMFT members.
Objective 1.2 Membership retention.
Task 1.2.1 Contact persons on the “To Be Dropped” list from AAMFT.
Task 1.2.2 Promote collegiality activities as delineated in the collegiality section of this Strategic Plan.
Objective 1.3 Assist members and potential members in licensing process.
Task 1.3.1 Develop continuing relationships with regulatory board staff, keep up with licensing board regulations, and assist new members, transfers, and non-licensed clinical members through the licensing process.
Goal 2: Annual Meetings and other events to continue to promote professional development, to promote MFT in the communities of the state and to generate revenues.
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Objective 2.1
The Annual Conference format is to be continually revised to meet the
needs of constituents.
Task 2.1.1 Develop long range plans to financially stabilize and improve content and activities at the annual meeting and/or create meaningful adjuncts or alternatives.
Goal 3: Maintain a strong and involved TAMFT leadership
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Objective 3.1
Develop and maintain board and board process that assures maximum efficiency
and productivity.
Task 3.1.1 Elections’ Committee will develop qualified slates of officers and board positions from active and committed clinical members of TAMFT (except for Student/Associate Board member).
Task 3.1.2 Include board and committee chairperson training on respective roles, responsibilities, prioritizing goals and objectives, recruiting member involvement, and time commitment.
Task 3.1.3 Develop comprehensive job descriptions for each staff position, officer, board position, and statewide committee.
Task 3.1.4 Board members and committee chairpersons will take initiative in following through on their areas of responsibility and ensure accountability for completion.
Task 3.1.5 Implement a board meeting process feedback mechanism to be employed at each meeting regarding efficiency of time usage and accountability for accomplishment of tasks.
Objective 3.2 The governing board of TAMFT is to be open and invite input from the membership.
Task 3.2.1 Publish Board Meeting agenda on the web page.
Task 3.2.2 Publish approved minutes of the board meetings on the web page.
Task 3.2.3 Encourage regional representatives to poll members on issues prior to board meetings.
Task 3.2.4 Committee chairpersons and committee members are to be encouraged to participate in decisions regarding their area of concern.
PROMOTING (MARKETING) MFTS AND THE PROFESSION OF MFT
Goal 1: Marriage and family therapists in Tennessee are recognized as qualified and effective providers of psychotherapy by insurers, employers, self-insured employers, EAPs, churches, families and individuals who may seek masters/doctoral level therapists/counselors
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Objective 1.1
MFTs recognized as providers in insurance companies, Medicare, TennCare,
and state contracts for mental and behavioral health services.
Task 1.1.1 Identify process for including MFTs in state contract for mental health/behavioral health insurance.
Task 1.1.2 Identify and contact key state officials and leaders in the community who will petition the state to include MFTs. Provide sample letters and suggested contact points.
Task 1.1.3 Monitor any current legislation that might affect Objective 1.1 and introduce any necessary legislation to accomplish this objective.
Objective 1.2 MCOs, HMOs, and PPOs in the state include MFTs as providers.
Task1.2.1 Collect or prepare documents that promote the use of MFTs as providers of psychotherapy and education (that show shorter treatment periods, enduring solutions, family as origins and crucible of mental health, and the importance of involvement/responsibility of family for continuing care).
Task 1.2.2 Identify MCOs, HMOs, PPOs, EAPs, PHOs, operating in Tennessee that do not recognize MFTs as providers and petition to include MFTs.
Task 1.2.3 Identify employers that contract with MCOs. HMOs, PPOs, EAPs, PHOs. Convince them of the advantages of petitioning these providers to include MFTs for the benefit of their employees.
Task 1.2.4 Promote an open season for application for qualified MFTs to panels that might otherwise be closed.
Task 1.2.5 Monitor any current legislation that might affect Objective 1.2 and introduce any necessary legislation to accomplish this objective.
Objective 1.3 Agency employers of mental health professionals in the state recognize MFTs as qualified providers of employees.
Task 1.3.1 Prepare and disseminate case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness and breadth of systems interventions in mental conditions: depression, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, additions, etc. (i.e. not just marriage counseling).
Task 1.3.2 Directly contact major agency employers to educate them on the qualifications of MFTs.
Task 1.3.3 Provide standards, qualifications for employment, and advertisements that include MFTs as applicants; encourage use and monitor advertisements.
Objective 1.4 Promote and encourage MFTs as expert resources.
Task 1.4.1 Promote family topic programs to major media sources (newspapers, radio, TV, internet sites) to offer experts and story lines for features relating families, youth, social issues.
Task 1.4.2 Promote use of AAMFT Clinical Member logo in telephone Yellow Pages and all promotional materials.
Task 1.4.3 Create a “Speaker’s Bureau” of MFTs who are available for media contacts, community events, church programs, etc. and promote venues for presentations. Coordinate requests on web page.
Task 1.4.4 Revive and advertise internet web page. Include columns written by members. Publish TAMFT newsletter on the website.
Objective 1.5 Foster a relationship and communication with the state licensing board and staff that encourages a dialogue regarding prevailing standards of practice.
Task 1.5.1 Monitor and provide information to the Licensing Board and its administrative staff regarding professional standards of practice for MFTs, qualified supervisors, and review of internship experiences.
Task 1.5.2 Assist staff and board on examination panels, reviews of applications, advice to applicants who are transferring membership to Tennessee.
Task 1.5.3 Promote COAMFTE standards to graduate schools and private organizations offering marriage and family system courses leading to licensure as MFTs.
Task 1.5.4 Address students in MFT classes as well as senior undergraduate students in related disciplines regarding the requirements, standards, ethics, and venues of MFTs in Tennessee.
Task 1.5.5 Encourage development of intern positions that use MFT approaches and provide guest supervision for interns and students.
Objective 1.6 MFTs will practice according to prevailing Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Task 1.6.1 Ensure that all MFTs practicing in Tennessee have information available on the current Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice through newsletter articles, annual conference and regional workshops, and information via e-mail and the website.
Objective 1.7 Develop resources for supporting individual MFTs marketing and practice development efforts.
Task 1.7.1 Include practice marketing workshops at annual conferences and include alternative applications of MFT skills and training in the marketplace.
Task 1.7.2 Promote networking opportunities for MFTs to share effective practice management strategies.
PROMOTING COLLEGIALITY
Goal 1: MFTs in Tennessee are energized and growing professionally through networking, collaboration and continuing education
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Objective 1.1
Organize the Annual Conference around networking opportunities and other
collegiality-friendly goals and activities.
Objective 1.2 Form chapters and/or peer collaboration groups in local areas of the state for networking and formal continuing education.
Task 1.2.1 Identify and encourage individuals to create small groups in their local areas who will meet regularly for peer collaboration, continuing education and networking.
Task 1.2.2 Board to provide limited financial resources when needed and available to aid local groups that become formal chapters.
Task 1.2.3 Board members provide encouragement by attending and assisting with the groups.
Task 1.2.4 Identify resources (video, speakers, visiting supervisors, etc.) for use by these small groups. Use website to store and disseminate information on targeted resources.
Task 1.2.5 Develop system for obtaining and loaning resources to small groups on request.
Objective 1.3 Use present and emerging technology to foster connectedness.
Task 1.3.1 Continue publication of newsletter to keep membership informed of TAMFT/AAMFT activities, annual conference planning, national and state legislative concerns, ethical and supervision issues, chapter activities, marketing initiatives, book reviews, membership news and notes, etc.
Task 1.3.2 Establish, maintain, and promote TAMFT’s website. Hotlink AAMFT’s website and regularly promote its resources.
Task 1.3.3 Establish a TAMFT bulletin board on the website that focuses on emerging therapies and bringing up ethical or practice issues for discussion.
Task 1.3.4 Include on bulletin board an archive or resource to include handouts, articles, audio and video tapes TAMFT members find helpful in their practices.
Objective 1.4 AAMFT Approved Supervisors and experienced MFTs offer continuing education opportunities such as seminars, luncheons speeches, etc. featuring family system approaches to current issues.
Task 1.4.1 Identify and commission supervisors and experienced MFTs with an interest in promoting collegiality and professional development to offer presentations.
Task 1.4.2 Identify clinical supervisors and experiences MFTs with specialty areas and encourage them to share skills with other MFTs at regional meetings or through mentoring relationships, supervision, or workshops.
Task 1.4.3 Create venues for these presentations (regional meetings, annual conferences, educational institutions, etc.)