PTA CaucusNews

The 2007 PTA Caucus was held in Washington, DC on May 19-20 with 40 PTA Caucus Representatives present to represent their chapters. John Linberger, Chief Delegate conducted the meetings, which included a presentation by Steve Levine, Speaker of the House who discussed motions related to APTA governance that would go before the 2007 House of Delegates and answered questions. The PTA Caucus voted to adopt an amendment to the PTA Caucus Procedure Manual that outlines the duties and responsibilities of PTA Caucus alternate representatives. The PTA Caucus is encouraging all chapters to develop a PTA Caucus alternate representative position to assure representation at the PTA Caucus and to provide another avenue of leadership development for PTA members. Other decisions of the 2007 PTA Caucus included adding additional responsibilities for the PTA Caucus Representative in the PTA Caucus Procedure Manual regarding communication with their chapter's chief delegate concerning issues raised in regional caucuses and mentoring their chapter's alternate delegate; co-sponsoring RC 01-07 to elect Francis J. (Frank) Mallon, Esq. an honorary member of APTA; and charging the delegates to work with the Advisory Panel of PTAs to pursue increased representation in legislative efforts of the PTA's role and qualifications in patient care. The following individuals were elected to positions in the PTA Caucus:           Chief Delegate:          John Linberger (CA)                    2 year term           Delegate:                    Nancy Brox (KS)                    2 year term           Alternate Delegate:          John Kelly (IN)                    1 year term           Nominating Com.:           Bob Hayden (UT)                    3 year term The outgoing officers: Tony Hall (NE), Delegate; Lisa Stoehr (ID), Alternate Delegate; and Amy Smith (GA), Nominating Committee Chair were recognized by the Caucus. During the meeting, Jessica Solberg (MN) announced that Minnesota had just voted to require licensure for PTAs. There are now 4 states and 1 jurisdiction remaining that do not have regulation for PTAs. Other jurisdictions obtaining licensure this year are Washington and Washington, DC. The PTA Caucus Delegates, John Linberger, David Emerick, Andrea Johnson, Lisa Stoehr, and Russell Stowers represented all PTA members in APTA's 2007 House of Delegates. Adopted RCs of particular interest to PTA members included:           RC-11 Amend: Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant Licensure/Regulation. This RC clarified that state regulation as a PT or PTA should at a minimum require graduation from a CAPTE accredited program. If the individual is internationally educated, they must have a substantially equivalent education. Additionally, the amended position states that an individual working as a PTA where licensure or regulation is presently unavailable is required to be a graduate of a CAPTE accredited PTA program.            RC-22 Adopted: Continued Competence, Lifelong Learning, and Professional Development in Physical Therapy. This creates a new position that embraces the concepts of continued competence, lifelong learning, and ongoing professional development for physical therapist and physical therapist assistants.           RC-27 Adopted Core Values: Endorsement. The HOD endorsed the Core Values of accountability, altruism, compassion/caring, excellence, integrity, professional duty, and social responsibility. Florida was represented by Mike Mellon who also attended House of Delegates (HOD), Advocacy Academy and PT day on Capital Hill. At the Advocacy Academy participants heard from decision makers on Capitol Hill, learned to communicate effectively with elected officials, received updates on APTA's legislative and regulatory activities, and took their message to the Hill during the PT Day on Capitol Hill. Please don't hesitate to contact Mike Mellon at M3Mellon@hotmail.com or 863-875-1022 if you have questions. Also visit the FPTA Physical Therapist Assistant Special Interest Group web page