To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
Any willing Provider
Currently Qualified and Experienced Mental Health Providers are being excluded from open mental health positions with the Military and VA because current requirements include not only having an accredited degree but also a specialty accreditation that was not widely available until the 1980's and 1990's. This means that licensed experienced mental health providers are being excluded from working at the military or VA simply because of their age. This needs to change. Any licensed and proven mental health provider should be allowed to hold federal positions with the military and the VA.
Why is this important?
A petition to allow any willing mental health provider who has been independently licensed by a state agency and who has two years of proven mental health experience be considered and independent mental health practitioner for purposes of working for the Military Mental Health Agencies and The Veterans Health Administration. People should be concerned because too many mental health practitioners who are capable and able are being excluded from providing needed services to veterans.