What I see playing out is the eventual replacement of doctoral-level psychologists with master's and bachelor's-level staff, pushing 'group therapy' as the cure-all, 'alternative therapies,' service dogs, medical marijuana/gummies, 'McMindfulness,' 'Whole Health,'...everything/everyone is homogenized into a morass of BHIP 'coping skills' groups, DBT-lite groups, etc...basically whatever is popular and sounds good.
At least now people can stop pretending this ever had anything to do with "fairness" and was an excuse to tear up even the most miniscule gestures of acceptance.
We are. I'm in AFGE
There are a lot of things left out of the history books (and they are actively trying to leave out even more), but I admit that when I found out they LITERALLY ATE THEE NAT TURNER, I was like…*stares unblinkingly-*
From what I've heard, it's not an outright ban on discussing concepts related to diversity, multiculturalism, and other information as related to clinical/patient care. It's specifically a ban on DEI, particularly with respect to hiring practices, but also as relating to training. Which, if I had to hazard a guess, could be interpreted by the powers-that-be as, among other things: anything that implies any group of people is inherently racist.
By design, sadly.
We were kind of hoping at the VA I'm at, that diversity-related things pertaining to training would be safe. Unfortunately, that turned out not to be the case as diversity-aware training committees and diversity didactics for trainees have now been canceled. It's really unfortunate, as so much good work came from those training aspects. I think for me that's been a hard part to watch, and seeing the staff that really put a lot of effort into those components learning they can't offer that to trainees anymore has been hard, as well as events being canceled because of this EO. For example, there was supposed to be an International Holocaust Remembrance Day event that got canceled day of...it made a lot of people upset and worried about what else would/could happen.
I’m shocked. It looks like anything related to diversity is being removed from federal agencies. This is scary.
It looks like diversity, equity, and inclusion is part of the APA training requirements. Didactic seminars and other training related activities have to encompass multicultural components. However, this can’t be achieved if there is a ban on DEI activities in the federal government.
I think that’s the intent of revoking telework agreements. I mean federal agencies were able to fill so many positions by including flexibility with regards to telework and scheduling. This is going to result in an exodus soon.
I find the cognitive dissonance protects them from these kinds of thoughts. The smarter they are, the better they are at ignoring the fact they're the makers of their own misery. It's why we have jobs in the first place.
You are more optimistic than me. I see people with nothing cheering on billionaires. Sick and literally dying for the cause. The only glimmer of hope is how we collectively hate insurance companies in the context of US capitalism.
Oh, I am not optimistic. I think we will continue to shield people from the worst consequences and we'll just continue to slide. The far right will continue to become emboldened, the left will continue to lack the will and focus to do anything effective, and us moderates will just keep shaking our heads.
Reality (and the 'natural consequences' that attend her) is a harsh mistress.
Unrelated, you might enjoy the Bulwark if you don't follow them. I mostly watch them on YouTube. Tim Miller is the only reason I'm optimistic about politics.
I'm not sure anyone actually knows at this point.
We got an email today that the hiring freeze will not impact HPTs, so hopefully not. But with the rate that things are changing, you never know…
I have liked the PBS Newshour, Aaron Parnas, and the Sloan Zone.
federalnewsnetwork.com
"We are pleased to inform you that we have been authorized with an exemption to reinstate your job offer and continue with the hiring process,” the VA wrote in an email. “We are excited at the prospect of you joining us here at VA.”
'kissykissykissykissy!!!'
#WEAREALLINTHISTOGETHER
VA reinstates job offers to health care hires, but some still in limbo amid hiring freeze
Some prospective VA hires are relieved to have their job offers reinstated amid a governmentwide hiring freeze. Others are wary about job stability.
Man...you gotta stand in utter awe of the organization's hubris and lack of awareness. Although the situation was clearly caused by the new administration in the White House, one would expect the email from the VA to at least express a somewhat apologetic/sympathetic/contrite tone for the extreme distress and anxiety caused to the applicants.
This debacle is gonna devastate recruitment efforts for decades to come.
I can sometimes (rarely) find them in JLV if they were done in other VA locations. However, these days, it's getting rarer and rarer.
www.nbcnews.com
