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Proposed Staffing and Fee Increase
Oregon State Board of Clinical Social Workers
Board Proposes Staffing and Fee Increase
The Mission of the State Board of Clinical Social Workers is to protect the citizens of Oregon by setting a strong standard of practice and ethics through the regulation of clinical social workers. The Board accomplishes this mission by verifying education, testing expertise, and monitoring the ethics of those who apply for and receive a license.
Since its formation in 1979, the Board has resolved complaints alleging unethical conduct by having the Consumer Protection Committee (CPC) thoroughly and fairly investigate each complaint. Though the number of complaints has stayed relatively stable for the past several years, the complexity and seriousness of the complaints has dramatically increased. The complaint resolution process has slowed considerably due to those increases. It is important both for the complainant as well as the licensee that the complaint process be resolved as expeditiously as possible. The Board proposes hiring a full time Compliance Specialist 2 (Investigator) so that complaints can be investigated thoroughly, fairly, and professionally and then resolved expeditiously.
Please go the following documents that provide additional information and perspective about this important change to the way the Board processes complaints of unethical conduct by licensees:
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Hearing - The official State form that explains the proposed changes to the rules. The document also details how to provide feedback to the Board concerning the proposal.
Statement of Need and Fiscal Impact- Details the financial implications connected with the proposed changes.
Proposed Changes to OAR 877-020-0020 - Shows the language in the current section of rules that relate to the various fees currently collected by the Board. You will note that the entire section is being changed with what appears on the bottom half of the page. Please note that the proposal: (1) gets rid of the cumbersome prorated fee for the first license; (2) raises the one-time application fee from $100 to $150; and (3) raises the annual renewal fee from $90 to $130 for active Licensed Clinical Social Workers.
Need for a Compliance Specialist 2 - Provides the basic background information and reasoning of the Board for making this proposal.
FAQs, 3/11/08 - Deals with some basic questions and background information.
Average Time to Resolve Complaints - Reveals the average time the complainant and the licensee are waiting while the Board goes through the investigatory and complaint resolution process. The longer it takes, the more anxious everyone gets.
Cost and Funding Analysis - Shows where the money is going and where it’s coming from. Please note that the Board has been confronted with some additional unanticipated expenses for this current biennium in addition to the proposed policy change of adding a full time Compliance Specialist 2.
Change Happens, 3/11/08 - Another look at the rather dramatic change in the nature of the complaint caseload over the past several years which calls for a new strategy for investigating and resolving complaints.
Average Ending Balance, 3/11/08 - Please note on the Cost and Funding Analysis document that the Board proposes taking almost $25,000 from its current ending balance. The state requires that we keep approximately 4 months expenditure in our ending balance. Costs for monthly Board operations if this staffing proposal is accepted will be approximately $32,000. Taking $25,000 from the current ending balance will leave barely over 4 months of normal expenditures in the Boards account.
Please submit e-mail feedback directly to the board office at oregon.bcsw@state.or.us. You can also fax in your response to (503) 373-1427 or mail it to the Board office at 3218 SE Pringle Road, Suite #240, Salem, OR 97302.
You can also contact the Board office at (503) 378-5735 or toll-free at 1-866-355-7050. Please note that phone calls can be used for clarification or to request additional information, but you must any comments you wish to make concerning the proposed changes in writing or by making public testimony at the public hearing on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 from 1-2:30 p.m. Please be aware that 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, is the final date/time for the Board to receive public comment on the proposed changes.
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