OPA Public Sector Issues Committee

The Public Sector Issues (PSI) Committee provides support to psychologists and their clients in settings such as state hospitals, the military, community mental health centers, veteran’s administration medical centers and correctional settings. Services are typically supported directly or indirectly through federal, state and local government funding. Clients served include current and former active duty military, those in academic and clinical settings and prisons and other clients who haves with low income and limited opportunities. Trauma and serious mental illness are frequently the focus of treatment. Assessment often focuses on forensic and risk assessment issues.

Our committee’s goals include promoting evidence-based assessment and treatment of these populations, advocating for them through policy changes affecting behavioral health care and educating the public and the profession about issues related to public sector work.

History

The Public Sector Issues Committee was awarded a voting membership on the OPA Board of Directors in June 2008. However, OPA Public Sector Psychologists have a 20-year history of working in this area. You can read about the history of this group in the May, 2009 OP Update and read about OPA’s efforts on behalf of public sector psychologists.

Mission

To monitor and advocate for issues impacting consumers of publicly funded behavioral health services in all settings and to work collaboratively with the OPA Board of Directors to ensure that these issues are addressed through education and advocacy.

Vision

With the support of OPA, we envision an equitable, comprehensive, accessible and effective health care system in which public behavioral health clients receive high-quality services.

Meetings

Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. These teleconferences are usually supplemented by face-to-face meetings twice a year at the OPA Central Office or a retreat location.

Membership

We welcome new members. Psychologists and graduate students who would like to learn more about the committee or apply for membership should contact the committee chair.

Meeting Minutes

View the News section to see all PSI Committee meeting minutes.

Committee Members

Lynne Rustad, Ph.D., Chair (VA, Ret., GM&S)
David Aronson, Ph.D., FAACP (BWC)
Kim Clark, Ph.D. (Prisons)
Deborah Devlin, LSW (CMH)
Lani Eberlein, Psy.D. (CMH)
Fred Frese, Ph.D. (Medical School – SMI)
Julie Glista, M.A. (State Psychiatric Hospital)
Bob Goldberg, Ph.D. ABPP (VA Training)
Jeremy Kaufman, Psy.D. (Military)
Jim Moore (CMH)
Cindy Orlasky, Ph.D. (VA Home-based Care)
Jennifer Reese, PhD (Juvenile Justice)
Mary Ann Teitelbaum, Ph.D. (Schools – OSPA Rep)
Jon Thomas, Ph.D. (Medical School – Family Med.)
Bethany Young-Lundquist, Ph.D. (Forensics)

Staff: Michael Ranney

Professional Resources

Serious Mental Illness

New hope for people with schizophrenia: A growing number of psychologists say recovery is possible with psychosocial rehabilitation.

Recovery From Severe Mental Illnesses: Research Evidence and Implications for Practice, Volumes 1 and 2

Deepening the Mental Health Recovery Paradigm, Defining Implications for Practice: A report of the recovery paradigm project.

CM Harding, GW Brooks, T Ashikaga, JS Strauss and A Breier The Vermont longitudinal study of persons with severe mental illness, I: Methodology, study sample, and overall status 32 years later. Am J Psychiatry 1987; 144:718-726 – Read the abstract

Forensic Psychology

American Academy of Forensic Psychology

Ohio Department of Mental Health Forensic Services: Forensic Services – Mental Health and Criminal Justice

Health Psychology

Frank, R.G., McDaniel, S.H., Bray, J.H. & Heldring, M. (Eds.). (2003). Primary Care Psychology. Washington, D.C,: American Psychological Association.

Gatchel, R.J. & Oordt, M.S. (2003). Clinical Health Psychology and Primary Care: Practical Advice and Clinical Guidance for Successful Collaboration. Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association.

Client Self-Help Resources

OhioHOPES: Helping Ohio Protect and Empower Seniors
A Resource and Information Directory for Older Victims of Crime and Abuse. Are you being abused or do you think you know someone who is being abused or exploited? Act now! Don’t delay in taking action to protect yourself or someone else from further abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Contact the OPA Central Office or the above listed Committee Chair if you are interested in participating with this group.