Those that have been donating their own time and expense to get the massage schools ready for the new law September 1^st have submitted their curriculum request to the DSHS.  A special “thank you” to Page Asten, Hugh Bofenkamp, Raul Flores, David Lauterstein, Alex Matthews, Carolyn Scott Naile, Lauren Schmeits and Rima Star.

I am posting this proposal to the Central Texas Massage group.   (If you can receive attachments, the .pdf file is attached to this e-mail.)  If you agree with what you see in this document, please send an e-mail of support to the Department through Stephen.Mills@dshs.state.tx.us

Here is a brief history (quoting some from Caroline Scott-Naile):  We took the present curriculum, changed the student objectives to competencies and removed all the lesson planning data [and added competencies for the newly required curriculum for pathology, first aid/CPR and kinesiology]. One of our main goals was to not change existing curriculum too much as there are so many other changes the schools are having to deal with in a short time frame.

Everyone I have talked to so far agrees that this is a workable solution as it gives the schools the ability to create their own curriculums and gives DSHS more clear knowledge on what to test for (when they get around to actually changing the test!).  While it is not perfect, it was done within the timeframe necessary and the agreement is to review the curriculum on a yearly basis and make suggestions to DSHS after each review. 

For those of us who wish to keep our profession in the wellness-minded category and hold it from the race to become part and parcel of the disease focused community (medically based), it is the goal of many to include competencies for ways to recognize good health along with the current ways to recognize pathologies. Because of the need to get things done quickly and not “rock too many boats”, this was not achieved for this pass.  Efforts will be made to get a majority in alignment with that idea for the first review next year.  All involved want to continue to work together (therapists, instructors and schools) to create a united front that will serve the profession as well as the public at large.

I did not see anything in the document proposing a maximum number of internship hours.  Does anyone know how that is going to shake out?  At the meeting on July 13^th, the discussion was to suggest the national average - giving schools the option of a 675 hour program with a 225 hour internship.  Many think a 100 hour intership would be very useful and that 225 hours would be detrimental to working therapists.

I look forward to a group discussion.

In service,

S ô¿ô

     ~

Stacey Lemire, LMT, LMTI, CE

Group moderator