The Coalition for Technology in Behavioral Science (CTiBS) was formed in 2014 following a vote of non-support by the American Psychological Association (APA) to a request to start a new APA division focused on technology use in behavioral health. In response, CTiBS founders filed for non-profit corporate status, which now also has 501 (c)(3) status. active since its inception as an independent organization. Here are some of the highlights from an exciting and productive year:
Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science (JTiBS)
In 2017, CTiBS and Springer officially launched a professional, peer-reviewed journal. CTiBS members now have full access to the journal included in their very low-cost dues. Information on CTiBS and membership are being included in each issue of the JTiBS journal to reach more readers.
The Journal contains articles and regular columns from contributing authors:
- “Research in Technology and Behavioral Science”- Donald Hilty
- “Technology Innovation”- Albert Rizzo
- “Tele-competency, Evaluation, and Outcomes”- Kenneth Drude
- “Legal, Ethical, and Policy Issues”- Marlene Maheu
- “New Developments and Resources in Technology for Behavioral Science”- Jack Tsai
You may access some of the JTiBs articles on the Springer website: https://link.springer.com/journal/41347
CTiBS members will soon have access to the full articles. We will be notifying you about accessing the journal as soon as this information becomes available.
Telebehavioral Health Competencies
Since 2014, CTiBS has been developing broad-based telebehavioral health competencies. In 2016, it distributed drafts across behavioral disciplines to a broad range of clinicians using Qualtrics to solicit feedback. An outstanding number of comments was received. The CTiBS Competency Task Force is preparing to send out a second draft for a second review, after which they will be finalized for promulgation throughout the professional community. To add your name to our list of eager reviewers, send an email to Marlene Maheu: contact@telehealth.org
The goal with the CTIBS telebehavioral health competencies is to provide a consistent point of reference for training telebehavioral health clinicians at all levels of experience in the ethical, legal, and safe use of technology in clinical practice.
Telebehavioral Health Credentialing Program
The Coalition for Technology in Behavioral Science (CTiBS) offers the healthcare provider community an interprofessional, international credentialing system for telebehavioral health. Based on a foundation of rigorous criteria developed by a CTiBS task force composed of published experts in the field, the CTiBS Telebehavioral Health Credentialing Program offers a designation that is credible, comprehensive and portable. It provides a uniform credentialing process across behavioral disciplines, and thereby helps to minimize the confusion that can occur when multiple processes and designations are used across professions and programs. It serves as a standard of telebehavioral health competency and professionalism for providers and patients alike.
Credentials serve as verification that a professional has achieved a baseline level of competency in his or her subject matter. Possessing a credential not only helps one to prove competency and capability for telepractice, but also demonstrates to the professional community and employers that the individual is competent, properly trained and equipped to carry out his or her duties. With credentialed staff members, employers can be more reasonably assured of having a workforce of practitioners that are capable of handling the complex challenges that telepractice can present. The CTiBS Credentialing Program is designed to assure baseline competencies and to differentiate professionals independent of a specific learning experience with a CTiBS-approved certificate-training program.
CTiBS then, offers standard criteria for professional training program organizations seeking to deliver competency-based training to professionals seeking the CTiBS credential, as well as to deliver that credential to professionals who have obtained the needed training. Successful applicants who have completed a CTiBS-approved training program and other qualifying criteria required by CTiBS are authorized to use the CTiBS designation.
Membership
If you haven’t yet officially joined CTiBS, please do so now! As a member, you can enjoy:
- JTiBS article access (coming soon)
- Private membership website (currently being updated)
- Staying abreast of industry news
- Newsletters about CTiBS–related opportunities, such as working alongside industry leaders for publication, national conference presentations
- Leadership training by participating in the CTiBS Steering Committee and other functions
- Social media access to breaking news, alerts, employment opportunities and more
- Social events at national association meetings: At the 2017 ACA conference in San Francisco, Marlene Maheu and Karen Wall hosted a TeleBehavioral Health Institute booth in the exhibit hall, where they handed out information on CTiBS membership and TBHI Certification. This year’s 125th Annual APA Convention in Washington, DC will include yet another CTiBS series of energizing, collegial and community-building events. For details, click the links below:
- BUSINESS MEETING: Friday 8/4/17 from 4-4:50 pm Eastern, Market Room, Marriott Marquis Washington DC Hotel
- CTiBS HAPPY HOUR: Friday from 5-7pm, meeting in the lounge area of the Arroz by Mike Isabella restaurant, Marquis Marriott https://ctibshappyhourapa2017.eventbrite.com
- PRIVATE DINNER: Friday from 7-9. Seating is limited, so reserve your seat today! https://ctibs-tbhimeetup-washington-dc.eventbrite.com
Shawna Wright has been coordinating and leading CTiBS membership efforts.
Social Media
Karen Wall set up a CTiBS page in FaceBook, and has been posting to the page and inviting viewers to Like the page and Join the group. To date, our FB page has had 1008 views and Likes. Karen monitors our LinkedIn site and to date the group has 631 members registered. We invite you to follow our efforts on social media: