Videoconferencing punctuated by face to face sessions would allow new clinicians to receive necessary hours of supervision in a resource-savvy way, and ultimately result in increased availability in underserved areas. Sounds like a win-win!

Technology has allowed for the simplification of our lives.  Supervision towards a certification or licensure requires a substantial effort on both the applicant and the supervisor.  Vidoesupervision is an excellent way to use technology while promoting one's professional growth.  Virginia is such a large state and VADOC employs persons from all corners.  The need for qualified sex offender treatment providers has never been greater or more obvious.  Taking steps to address the inherent logistical problems while maintaining the high standards is the right thing to do.  Face to face supervision should still be a component but many of the hours could be managed via video.  We have meetings across the state using video technology and incorporated this style of meeting to be fairly routine.  I fully support this petition.

I support the idea of providing Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider supervision through videoconference; however, this method should be used in tandem with face-to-face supervision as well. There should, and likely will be, strict parameters as to the structuring of each videoconference -- a lesson plan/guide/agenda -- if you will.  Overall -- A GOOD IDEA!

I support this change provided videoconference is not the only supervision, Individuals "working under" someone else license or certification should have mandatory quarterly face-to-face supervision.  This will provide the structure of ethical supervision that could be missing in videoconference.  I support videoconference with this provision.

Virginia offers a unique, diverse environment. People living and working in rural areas, such as those out west, have often had difficulty obtaining services taken for granted by those in more urban settings. Technology offers ways to help balance the playing field.

With those factors in mind, it makes sense to utilize video conferencing for CSOTP and other licensure supervision. While it should not completely take the place of face-to-face supervision, it allows for treatment and career development opportunities that would othewise not be feasible or readily available to individuals in more rural areas.

Access to supervision is a significant hurdle to those seeking licensure and other certifications. Videoconferencing would be beneficial for providers of mental health services and to the population we serve.

Given that certification as a sex offender treatment provider is a very specialized field, it is important to provide as many opportunities for receiving supervision in this area.  This use of technology can significantly increase the potential pool of supervisees and make supervision available to areas that may not have individuals qualified for this type of work.

Video-conferencing technology offers a wonderful innovative alternative to our profession. The use of this technological advancement will allow for the expense and time associated with travel to be reduced, in addition to addressing remote logistical concerns for supervisors and supervisees. Video-conferencing is a highly useful and beneficial technology that can be used to advance critical aspects of clinical supervision without compromising the integrity of the process. This writer is in support of petition providing that clear protocols for both technical support and applied training are employed.

As somebody currently receiving supervision, I fully support the idea of video supervision (in tandem with face-to-face supervision). As it stands there are no supervisors anywhere near my facility so I am commuting to Richmond twice a month, a 3 hour trip each way. The use of video supervision would save the state money as well as allow me to spend time at the facility on supervision days whereas now I am having to take a whole day off for travel and supervision.

With the ability and option to provide supervision by teleconference, many more potential sex offender treatment providers would be able to access required supervision resources in an efficient manner.  It would cut back on needed travel and travel time in order to physically meet face to face with supervisors and the quality of the supervision would be the same.  We have the computer resources now to provide at least a portion of the supervision via teleconference and it would be a tremendous step forward to be able to utilize the technology in this way.  It would also be better for the environment (less travel) and less stressful to have this option. 

  Since I often drive 6 hours to receive 2-3 hours of supervision, I strongly recommend this option for a portion (I found that being present in an ongoing group is an invaluable learning experience) of the supervision. It would make it much easier to have all of the materials at your fingertips rather than taking them from one office to another. It would make me available at my home institution during regular work hours (in stead of being on the road) and save the state money in terms of vehicle expense. 

The use of video supervision for the majority of supervision hours with a predetermined  minimal hours of  face-to-face contacts would benefit supervisors, supervisees and ultimately the clients. It would definitely be a cost efficient manner of conducting supervision without having to sacrifice quality.

I am employed and reside in Southwest Virginia.  Currently I would have to travel 5 hours one way to receive face to face supervision for my CSOTP.  This would not include travel expenses, lodging, meals and time away from my DOC institution.  If Supervison via Teleconference was available it would benefit myself and my institution by allowing me to spend more time providing programming to our sex offender population, which totals 1/4 of our total offender population. 

Thank you for your consideration.

I believe this would allow more people to seek supervision and make things easier.  It would also be efficient for the DOC in savings with use of vehicles and time saved from travel. 

I fully support the use of videoconferencing for CSOTP supervision.  I believe that this would greatly increase the number of clinicians who are competent in working with sex offenders, especially in the rural regions.

Sex offenders are being discharged from prisons and jails everyday, and it is unrealistic for us to assume that they will only reside in urban areas.  As it stands right now, the rural areas are underserved and clinicians who are interested in working with sex offenders have to drive several hours, each way, in order to receive supervision.  Often it is unfeasible and unpractical for clinicians in these areas to pursue CSOTP, leaving us with a limited pool of practitioners.

With the advent of technology, this barrier can be removed, creating a wider pool of competent clinicians in these underserved areas.  Therefore I believe the use of videoconferencing for CSOTP supervision would support our ethical and moral goal of enhancing the conditions of our clients and protecting the public.

Video-teleconferencing for CSOTP supervision is a superb idea that will save time and conserve revenue. In addition, I believe it will allow more consistent supervision such that supervisors or supervisees who must travel to other offices or sites for sessions would not get waylaid by travel or traffic thus interrupting the continuity of supervision. Supervision would also be promoted at times when either party is out of town during the regularly scheduled meeting, but could accomodate and honor the set time.  Thank you for your consideration ofthe proposal. 

Sincerely,

Chris Hummel, PsyD, CSOTP

I would like to echo the comments of others and offer my strong support for allowing a percentage of supervision to be provided via videoconference.  Within the Department of Corrections many providers or potential providers are hours and/or many miles away from a certified clinician who could or do serve as their supervsior.  By allowing some portion of the required supervision to occur via videoconference, a greater number of staff could receive supervision and could then seek licensure thereby increasing the availability of services to offenders.  In addition, time, money and other resources - not the least of which is fuel - would be saved. 

I believe that using videoconferencing along with face to face supervision will serve to increase the amount of qualified providers. This should result in a public safety dividend in our communities. Given these considerations, I wholeheartedly support this petition.