Summer News from NYATA
It was a busy spring for NYATA and we’re excited about summer with the largest AATA Conference in history! Here’s what’s going on…
If you’re going to the AATA Conference, stop by the NYATA table at the Arts and Crafts Extravaganza (Thursday, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.) We’re giving away promotion codes for 2017 NYATA membership discounts! We’ll be selling artwork created by Board members to raise money for our Children’s Mental Health Awareness event in the fall. So stop by – we’re located just across from the bar!
Our Children’s Mental Health Awareness Fundraiser was a great success! NYATA Board and NYATA members raised over $2,474.00! The money is going to our CHALK IT UP FOR CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH DAY event in September in Long Beach, Long Island. The event will raise money to pay for community based art therapy programs for an area that saw its share of trauma during Hurricane Sandy and in its on-going aftermath. More information will be sent out on how to be an artist participant by purchasing a square to create for the day or volunteering to help out.
This spring, a new GAC committee was formed with goals to work on insurance reimbursement, art therapy in the schools and licensure issues. Look for a call to action – we’re going to need everyone’s help to move forward on these initiatives.
NYATA GAC received grants in 2014 an 2015 from AATA to develop press information packets to be distributed to NYS government officials and the press. A big thank you to our 2014-2015 GAC Chair, Samantha Hasher, who wrote the grant proposals and, with her committee developed the packets. A copy of the intro letter from the packet is attached to this E-Blast. If you are interested in giving a packet to your state representatives, let us know.
There is exciting news about art therapy and insurance – NYS Bill A6376A requires blanket health insurance policies to provide coverage for outpatient treatment by mental health practitioners, including art therapists, has passed the State Assembly and is now in the Senate!
The new CEU requirements for NYS Licensure will be reviewed at a fall event with Dr. David Hamilton from the NYS Office of the Professions. Details will be sent out over the next couple of months.
The NYATA Student Award for Excellence scholarship was awarded to Francesa DeBiaso, a graduate student at The School of Visual Arts. Congratulations, Francesca! There were no applications submitted for the NYATA Professional Scholarship and NYATA New Professional scholarship.
Don’t forget to stop by the NYATA table at the AATA Conference Arts and Crafts Extravaganza (Thursday, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.) to say hi to the NYATA Board, get your 2017 membership discount code, and pick up some cool artwork made by Board members!
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