A couple of weeks ago I attended the East Central Community of Practice Spring Gathering at Hueston Woods in Ohio. The East Central CoP is one of our CoPs that drew from the history and strength of the old region and has weathered the transition to become a vibrant and engaged CoP.

The gathering had a robust program based on new research on trauma. There was time for student consultations, fellowship and laughter over meals, and intention in celebrating the transitions of members present.

In recent months I have been diving into the question: what makes a vibrant CoP? What factors enable a CoP to make a difference to the life of its members and to the life of the organization? I saw a few of these factors on display in the ECCoP.

ACPE is continually looking for ways to bring value to our members. We value your input as we look to make improvements to the ACPE website. You are invited to give your feedback in this survey through March 23 at 5pm ET.

If you're hoping to be part of ACPE's first-ever group of Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (SIP) Trainers, now is the time for action. Applications are submitted online and must be received by this Friday, March 13, 8 am EDT.

 

If you've been following the series of articles here in the newsletter, you know that ACPE's new SIP Program will serve licensed and associate-licensed mental health provider (counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, pastoral counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, addiction specialists, and others), as well as graduate students in these fields, who want to integrate spirituality into the practice of psychotherapy. 

ACPE, with its Strategic Partners, is actively monitoring  COVID-19 (commonly known as the coronavirus) developments. As the accreditor of CPE programs that operate primarily in health care settings, ACPE is concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on our centers and the welfare of our members and students. Your health, safety, and well-being are our first priorities.

In your role as spiritual care providers, you and your students may be in direct contact with patients and other caregivers exposed to COVID-19. During these times of increased anxiety, your presence provides needed reassurance for patients and staff. Please adhere to the recommended safety guidelines and remember your own need for care. While we hold you in our thoughts and prayers during this time, we are also planning contingencies to ensure your safety.

As interest in population health and community wellness grows among healthcare organizations, it is both intriguing and fitting to think about the possibilities for integrating spiritual care at this different level. Exalta Health, a non-profit clinic serving uninsured and underserved people in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been providing spiritual care for its primary care medical and dental patients for a number of years. Through this webinar on March 12, Staff Chaplain Kristen Meyer, and President Emeritus Bill Paxton, will share the unique opportunities and challenges they've encountered as they've integrated spiritual care at Exalta Health.

We hope this time finds you well. As the ACPE Board of Directors, we have been aware of members' thoughts and concerns about various transitions within the organization. We hear you. And we can empathize with your thoughts and concerns. You elected each member of the board, and we want you to know that we honor your voice. We feel your passion and commitment. ACPE continues to thrive because of your dedication and loyalty. We sincerely thank you for your reflection and input during this season.

The recent transitions within ACPE have been difficult and taxing for us, as well. We have had to make some tough decisions after deep reflection, discernment, and prayer. We have also realized the growing pains for us as a board in relation to the membership and are aware of the need to maintain communication about activities within ACPE.

For the last few years, I brought CPE groups into a maximum-security state prison, Minnesota Correctional Facility - Lino Lakes, to learn Restorative Justice Practices. The CPE peers would drive to this prison on six Fridays in the early morning hours to enter at 7:30 AM to learn from incarcerated leaders. They learned not only about crime and punishment, but also about harm and repair. The incarcerated leaders would teach us, and then we would go out to practice restorative justice principles in our ministries and in our families. The next week we explore the shifts as they occurred within us and our relationships. We loved these units. In the fall of 2018, a dream came true. The Foundation for ACPE and an individual donor together gave us funding to offer a unit inside the prison. I recruited four pastors who had completed CPE units with me before, and then we interviewed the leaders of the Lino Lakes Restorative Justice program. We chose four of the incarcerated leaders to join us in the unit of CPE for the full 400 hours.

For more information about iPEX, the InterProfessional Education eXchange: A National Program to Advance Interprofessional Education in Cancer Care, visit this website:  http://iPEXproject.org/   or contact iPEX@louisville.edu.

The Certification Commission is excited about the great work that is happening in our ACPE centers as CECs enter the process and are preparing for certification. We have learned a great deal as we continue to engage with portfolios and everyone who is in the process.

There are a few important updates that I want to share with everyone. These are incorporated in the Certification Manual and are also listed on the Updates to the Manual page.