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Freeport – The Maine Psychological Association (MePA) honored three outstanding Maine educators at its Annual Conference on November 3, 2023, during an all-day event at the historic Harraseeket Inn in Freeport that celebrated diversity and excellence in psychology and education.

The MePA Educator Recognition Program recognizes PK-12 educators who prioritize the establishment of positive relationships with their students, effectively integrate social-emotional learning within the classroom, and model leadership and advocacy within their school communities. Recipients of the 2023 Educator Recognition Awards included Jeni Frazee, Waterville Public Schools, Joy Jancewicz, RSU 56, and Catherine Newell, Scarborough Public Schools.

Jeni Frazee, a grade-5 teacher at the Albert S. Hall School, was honored for her trauma-informed approach to supporting students in the classroom. Frazee shows a deep respect for the dignity of all students and adeptness in providing guidance and mentorship to colleagues. She also responds to challenging behaviors in the classroom with empathy and practical coping skill development.

Joy Jancewicz, a grade-4 teacher at Dirigo Elementary School, was recognized for her innovative approach to integrating social-emotional learning into the classroom and commitment to partnering with families to support positive student outcomes. Jancewicz uses “respect circles” to give her students voice and shows unwavering dedication to whole-education and trauma-informed practice.

Elementary Music Educator Catherine Newell received the award for her commitment to the Responsive Classroom approach and skillful integration of self-regulation tools and strategies within the classroom. Newell’s recognition of how traditional classroom expectations may contribute to challenges in emotional and behavioral regulation, coupled with subsequent efforts to create a more inclusive learning environment and curriculum, highlights her dedication to meeting the diverse needs of students.

During the ceremony, MePA President, Jamie Pratt, PsyD congratulated the educators for their exceptionally psychologically minded performance and dedication to advancing positive mental and behavioral health outcomes for Maine students. “These teachers understand the importance of supporting students’ mental and behavioral health and make a tremendous impact by creating psychologically safe environments for learning,” said Pratt.

For more information about MePA and its mission, please visit mepa.org.

The Maine Psychological Association’s mission is to advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting human welfare. The organization’s membership consists of psychologists, academicians, researchers, students, and other professionals committed to the practice of psychology.  

In addition, MePA helps consumers identify psychologists around the state for referral and provides a searchable online database at no charge. For more information about MePA and its mission, please visit mepa.org.  

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Maine Psychological Association Welcomes Randy Moser as Executive Director

Saco, Maine (Oct. 11, 2023): The Maine Psychological Association (MePA) announced that Randy Moser joined the organization as Executive Director in September 2023. Moser brings more than two decades of executive nonprofit leadership experience to his role at MePA, and his extensive background in communications, development, and program management makes him a valuable addition to the membership organization.

In his previous roles as Marketing Director at Harbor Care in Nashua, New Hampshire and Director of Development and Communications at Crisis and Counseling Centers in Augusta, Maine, Moser led marketing initiatives and developed innovative fundraising strategies. These skills will be instrumental in advancing MePA's mission.

Moser's direct service experiences as Clinical Manager of the Doorway at Concord, New Hampshire and Site Manager at the HIV/HCV Resource Center in Claremont, New Hampshire reflect his commitment to addressing critical behavioral health issues such as substance use disorder and his leadership in the arena of public health.

Moser holds a master’s degree in liberal studies from the University of New Hampshire, a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maine, and a State University of New York Nonprofit Graduate Management Certificate. He demonstrates a commitment to education and professional development.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Moser has been an active volunteer, contributing his expertise to a wide range of organizations, including Brigid's House of Hope, York County Shelter Programs, the United Way of Kennebec Valley, the United Way of Mid-Maine, and the Kennebec Valley Humane Society.

Mr. Moser succeeds Amy Safford, who previously led MePA as its Executive Director for four years.Under Safford’s leadership, the organization implemented a robust online membership database, grew its membership, expanded its continuing education offerings for psychologists, and received the National 2022 American Psychological Association (APA) Advocacy Award. Safford played a key role in securing an APA grant that was critical for the adoption of Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) legislation that allows Maine psychologists to serve out-of-state clients.

“MePA is confident that Randy's leadership, dynamic approach, and exceptional communication skills will propel the organization toward achieving its mission,” said MePA President Jamie Pratt. She added, “His appointment as Executive Director marks a significant milestone in MePA's commitment to promoting psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting human welfare in Maine.”

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Founded in 1950,  MePA has a long history of principled leadership in Maine, represents the 600+ psychologists and psychological examiners in Maine, and has a mission to advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting human welfare. The organization’s membership consists of psychologists, academicians, researchers, students, and other professionals committed to the practice of psychology. 

In addition, MePA helps consumers identify psychologists around the state for referral and provides a searchable online database at no charge. For more information about MePA and its mission, please visit mepa.org.

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By Jamie L. Pratt, PsyD

Gun violence is a major public health concern, and action is needed now more than ever to protect our children and communities. The Maine Psychological Association, an organization whose mission is to advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting human welfare, urges the adoption of a comprehensive public health approach informed by science to prevent gun violence.

The national statistics are sobering. Firearm-related injuries are now the leading cause of death among children and adolescents, and a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows steeply increasing trends in rates of these preventable deaths. Each year in the United States, 2,100 young people die by gun homicide and 1,200 children and teens die by gun suicide (Everytown for Gun Safety). To put this in perspective, consider that the number of gun-related homicides and suicides in the United States is significantly greater than the number of firearm-related deaths in other high-income countries. One analysis of World Health Organization mortality data from 23 high-income countries revealed that over 90% of children ages 0-14 who were killed by firearms for any reason were from the United States (American Journal of Medicine).

The tragedies of mass shootings and school violence also demands attention. One in four victims of mass shootings in the United States are children, and more than 311,000 students have experienced gun violence at 331 schools since the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999 (Washington Post). Although school shootings remain relatively uncommon, there were more in 2021 than in any year since Columbine. Furthermore, deaths and injuries resulting from gun violence in schools are only part of the problem. Exposure to these events can contribute to a wide range of mental and behavioral health challenges, such as depression, anxiety, and substance use.

Although we all take pride in the safety of Maine communities, we would be remiss to assume that our children are immune from the risk of gun violence. There are guns in nearly 50% of Maine households, compared to about 30% nationally (RAND Corporation). Maine high school students are significantly more likely than their national peers to report carrying a weapon on school property (CDC), and our local news reported ten violent threats in Maine schools in the month after the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Suicide rates among Maine youth are also higher than the national average (Maine CDC), and access to guns is a significant risk factor for suicide.

Mainers are not immune to the harms of gun violence. We must open our eyes and our minds to the reality of this threat to public health and ask if we are doing enough to protect our children from preventable death.

The Maine Psychological Association stands behind the open letter to Congress issued by the American Psychological Association and other allied educational mental health professional organizations, and we stand behind the Call for Action to Prevent Gun Violence in the United States of America issued by the Interdisciplinary Group on Preventing School and Community Violence. We urge our fellow Mainers to follow suit and advocate for legislation to prevent gun violence and create safer schools and communities for our children.

Respectfully,

Jamie L. Pratt, PsyD
President, Maine Psychological Association

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For Immediate Release

Maine Psychological Association Receives National 2022 APA Advocacy Award

Saco, Maine (April 7, 2022) – At the recent national advocacy summit hosted by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Maine Psychological Association was presented with the State Advocacy Award for their leadership in advancing the profession of psychology, health equity, and human rights. 

“Maine has partnered with us on issues that impact the scope of practice and reimbursement for psychologists, as well as critical human rights issues at the state level,” said Katherine B. McGuire, 
Chief Advocacy Officer at the APA. “Members of the association have really stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park to advance comprehensive advocacy issues at the state and national level.” 

Full Award Presentation Remarks by Katherine B. McGuire, APA CAO

The President of the Maine Psychological Association, Jamie Pratt, PsyD, cites the passage of PSYPACT as critical advocacy legislation passed in 2021. “Maine is now one of 28 states that allow licensed psychologists to provide services via telehealth and temporary practice to patients in other compact states. This provides more access to psychological services and continuity of care when a patient travels or relocates.”

The Maine Psychological Association (MePA) is a membership organization whose purpose is to advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting health and human welfare. Founded in 1950, MePA has a long history of principled leadership in Maine.