DCPA members will have a host of core benefits:

• online registration for upcoming events
• electronic bulletin boards and listservs
• a searchable database of members
• the ability to view of an electronic calendar of dates important to DC psychologists and DCPA events (such as CEU offerings)
• an easy to use and secure online method of joining DCPA.

DCPA Referral Service:

In addition to core member benefits, DCPA will be migrating its referral service online to better meet the needs of our members and those who wish to find DC psychologists.

Members who would like to be part of our online referral system can elect to do so for an additional fee. With a projected launch date in early 2007, interested licensed psychologists will fill out an online form with key searchable terms that will allow anyone with web access to find you and your practice.

For 2007, DCPA will offer this service for a special introductory rate to thank those who choose to participate in this program. We are excited by this new program and hope that you are too.

2007 ACHIEVEMENTS

• CIGNA and other insurers were successfully sued in class actions for failing to reimburse clinical psychologists fairly. Many of these lawsuits were successful resulting in millions of dollars retroactive reimbursement for mental health providers--not nearly as much as was owed individuals, but enough to make a small dent in their profits. These actions were brought by some of us-Psychologists
• DCPA now has a legislative lobbyist to carry our banner into every part of the legislative, jurisprudential and bureaucratic entities that constitute the District of Columbia. From the office of the Mayor to the staffers of the City Council committees on health and welfare. We have helped to educate the Vender Contracts official in the DC Department of Mental Health and the Chief Judge of DC Superior Court, explaining the legitimate role of the psychologist as a expert witness in Family court, criminal proceedings and juvenile but most important, recommending that the judges get in service training to facilitate recognition of psychologists in legal proceedings, particularly where domestic violence and child custody are at issue.
• DCPA plans to lobby for the institution of a Mental Health Court as has been done in Oakland and a few other jurisdictions.
• Working with the DC Psychology Licensing Board, negotiated with Insurance companies to protect patient confidentiality and to get them to cease unfair denial or delay of payments to psychologists.
• Convening DCPA days/Annual Meeting on December 1-2 providing the opportunity to get continuing education credits, and to mingle with other DC psychologists and key public officials who will attend.