Advocacy
What is the state task force?
The Colorado state task force is a committee of Colorado music therapists, assembled by the Certification Board for Music Therapy (CBMT) and the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).
We have been meeting via phone conference every 1-3 months since May of 2008. We have researched current recognition of the MT-BC credential in various state documents, met with key regulatory agencies, and garnered support for a bill to recognize the music therapist-board certified (MT-BC) credential.
Fellow Music Therapists, With the support of AMTA, CBMT, CAMT, and you, the Colorado Task Force has been working hard to gain state recognition of music therapy in Colorado since 2008. The goal of this recognition is to improve access to music therapy services for Coloradoans.
Scroll down for the current action, our most recent updates and the contact information for our Task Force Members!
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CURRENT ACTION:
Phone Script and Contact Information for the SOMA committee members.
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OUR MOST RECENT UPDATES:
UPDATE JANUARY 2012
Their hard work is beginning to pay off! Last week, a bill was be introduced to the House of Representatives that, if passed, will create a registration for Music Therapists in Colorado. Registration will protect our title and increase access to programs with state oversight such as Special Education and Medicaid waiver funding. You can find the bill here:
http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2012A/csl.nsf/MainBills?openFrameset
The bill number is HB 1137
We need your support now more than ever! The next few weeks will be a whirlwind of activity and we may not be able to give much notice for various actions. Please stay connected as we send out emails and facebook/website posts to ask for your support. We will be planning an Advocacy Day in the next couple of weeks and would love to see as many music therapists (and other advocates) at the Capitol as possible to urge legislators to vote in favor of this bill. Even if you can’t make it to the Capitol there will be plenty of other opportunities for you to show your support, stay tuned!
Please keep checking your email and the following facebook page and website for updates:
http://musictherapycolorado.org/mt-task-force-updates/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Colorado-Music-Therapy-Task-Force/166915603389549
If you have any questions or comments contact Task Force Members:
Amanda Bryant amandabryant@comcast.net
Amy Wilson comusictherapyservices@gmail.com
Laura Hess laurahess@live.com
Melissa Munder Melissa.munder@state.co.us
Mollie Hiebert mollienotes@gmail.com
Sarah Thompson Sarah@RRMusicTherapy.com
Lexie Brown- lexie6strings@gmail.com
Sincerely,
The Task Force
Update: September, 2011
We have great news for Colorado music therapists. We have primary sponsors for our bill for the January-May, 2012 legislative session!
Senator Betty Boyd and Representative Nancy Todd have agreed to be primary sponsors for a bill requiring registration for all music therapists in the state of Colorado.
Task force members met with the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) in 2009 and 2010 about our goal to achieve recognition of the MT-BC credential. Based on the small number of music therapists in the state, and the goals of our endeavor, this bill was the recommended method to achieve recognition. We will continue to provide updates, but if you have further questions or concerns, we invite you to contact one of the task force members.
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Who is on the Colorado State Task Force?
Amanda Bryant amandabryant@comcast.net
Amy Wilson comusictherapyservices@gmail.com
Laura Hess laurahess@live.com
Melissa Munder Melissa.munder@state.co.us
Mollie Hiebert mollienotes@gmail.com
Sarah Thompson Sarah@RRMusicTherapy.com
Our AMTA contact is Judy Simpson and our CBMT contact is Kimberly Sena Moore.
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What can I do? – 3 Things
1) CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR: We are asking ALL Colorado music therapists to contact their legislators. We have put together a sample script (PDF script download) for an in-person or phone meeting with your legislator. Please use this as a template and insert your own information so that you can communicate authentically and accurately with your legislator.
2) COLLECT NAMES OF ADVOCATES: Please collect names of clients and colleagues who would be willing to contact their legislators when our bill is introduced so that we can create a large grassroots network of support. Email the names and contact information for your advocates to Sarah Thompson Sarah@RRMusicTherapy.com.
3) KEEP IN TOUCH: Please let the task force know if you would like to volunteer to help us. We would also welcome any success stories, and be happy to assist with any struggles that come up during this process.
