FL Music Therapy Gov't Relations

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FL Music Therapy Gov't Relations

Official account for the Florida Music Therapy Task Force. Sharing about music therapy in Florida and legislative happenings from the Sunshine State!

08/11/2026

SUNSHINE HEALTH UPDATE☀️🏥
Molina is replacing Sunshine Health and taking over CMS, effective October 1, 2026.
If you are a business owner in need of assistance with credentialing, join the Google Meet this Wednesday at 6 pm, hosted by Trent Barrick (https://meet.google.com/dep-fbym-xhv).
For more information, contact Stephany Nystrand ([email protected])/Trent Barrick ([email protected]).

07/31/2026

INTRODUCING OUR MUSIC THERAPY COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: HARMONIC HEALTH MUSIC THERAPY!

Harmonic Health Music Therapy (HHMT) was established in 2023, providing in-person individualized and group music therapy services. They are based in South FL (Miami-Dade and Broward counties) and work with pediatric populations.

Stephanie Epstein, MM, MT-BC founded Harmonic Health Music Therapy with the mission of “empowering children with complex medical needs through expert, evidence-based music therapy while partnering with healthcare facilities to advance compassionate, exceptional care through clinical services, supervision, and consultation.”
HHMT is currently hiring contractors for Miami-Dade and Broward counties! They are a facility-based practice, meaning MT-BC’s see multiple patients at the same facility during visits. Contact Stephanie Epstein ([email protected]) for more information.

Outside of her work with HHMT, Stephanie is the founder, lead music therapist, and internship director at Holtz Children’s Hospital at UM/Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. She serves as the Vice-Chair of the Ukulele Kids Club, a non-profit organization that donates ukuleles to pediatric music therapy programs across the world. She has been featured in local, regional, and national media for her work, and she frequently lectures and regional and national music therapy and medical conferences. She was also featured as an expert panelist for Renée Fleming’s Music and the Mind lecture series.

Thank you Stephanie and HHMT for all the amazing work you do for the South FL region!

[ID: graphic with white background featuring the Florida Music Therapy Task Force logo and the Harmonic Health Music Therapy logo. 3 pictures are shown: 1) Founder Stephanie Epstein playing a drum, 2) HHMT team members, 3) HHMT team member singing with a ukulele next to a child)

07/30/2026

ARE YOU READY TO VOTE IN THE 2026 MIDTERM PRIMARY ELECTION? 📣

The August Midterm Primary Election is less than THREE weeks away! Are you voting by mail or in-person? Do you know where your voting precinct is? If voting by mail, the deadline to request you mail-in ballot is NEXT THURSDAY! Mark your calendars and go to the link above to get your voting plan in place.

Primary Election Deadlines:
* Register to vote / change party affiliation: July 20
* Request a mail-in ballot: August 6
* Early voting (check local info): August 8-15
* Primary Election day: August 18

You can also request a mail in ballot for the November general election - deadline is October 22 and Election Day is November 3!
Check out the FLMTTF Voting Guide in our Linkbio to find out which positions are related to the task force’s work.

07/16/2026

Get ready to vote, Florida! 🗳️✨

As we head into the upcoming election, it’s crucial to know who represents our community—and who has the power to support the profession of music therapy in our state! 🎶

We’ve put together a quick guide on the positions you’ll see on your ballot, from federal offices to local county positions and judicial retention. Swipe through to get informed! 👉

What we're breaking down:
📍 Slide 1: Federal, Multi-County, and District offices (including U.S. Senate, Governor, State Attorney, and more).
📍 Slide 2: County Offices (School Board, etc.) and Nonpartisan Judicial Retention.
📍 Slide 3: A specific look at the positions most directly related to our Task Force’s advocacy efforts to achieve state recognition for music therapy. Note which roles impact bill signing, licensure fees, and legislative sponsorship!

Please note: The Florida Music Therapy Task Force does not endorse specific candidates, but we strongly encourage you to research and vote for legislators who support music therapy. 🤝

📌 Save this post to reference when you head to the polls! Let’s make our voices heard.

[ADA Image Description:] This is a three-slide carousel post with a white background, gold borders, and the "Florida Music Therapy Task Force" logo at the top of each slide, which all include the handle and the note "*Research & vote for state legislators that are likely to support music therapy!". Slide 1 is titled "WHAT POSITIONS ARE ON THE BALLOT?" and lists "Federal Offices" (U.S. Senate, Representative in Congress) and "Multi-County and District Offices" (Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, CFO, Commissioner of Agriculture, State Senator, State Representative, State Attorney, Public Defender). Slide 2 lists "County Offices" and "Judicial Retention". Slide 3 is titled "WHAT POSITIONS ARE RELATED TO THE TASK FORCE'S WORK?" and highlights how specific roles—specifically Governor, Lt. Governor, CFO, Commissioner of Agriculture, State Senator, and State Representative—directly impact state recognition for music therapy.

07/11/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS 📣
The Midterm Election is FOUR months away and Voting Registration is less than TWO WEEKS away! Elections are more than just about the presidential candidates- it’s also a time to research and vote for state legislators that are likely to support music therapy. Make sure you are ready for Election Day on November 3!

Primary Election Deadlines:
* Register to vote / change party affiliation: July 20
* Request a mail-in ballot: August 6
* Early voting (check local info): August 8-15
* Primary Election day: August 18

General Election Deadlines:
* Register to vote: October 5
* Request a mail-in ballot: October 22
* Early voting (check local info): October 24-31
* Election day: November 3

Where to find your local voting info: www.dos.fl.gov + “Voter Precinct Lookup”

07/02/2026

INTRODUCING OUR MUSIC THERAPY COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIES OF THE PALM BEACHES!

Creative Arts Therapies of the Palm Beaches (CATPB) was established in 2006, providing in-person and virtual, individualized and group music therapy services. They are based in Southeast Florida and work with all ages and a variety of populations.

CATPB exists “to cultivate health and wellness through the creative arts therapies, provide a network for creative arts therapists and our supporters, and share relevant resources worldwide.” In addition to providing music therapy services, they are offering a Trauma Informed Community Music Therapy Certificate course on July 17th and 18th for 20 CMTEs.

CATPB is a university affiliated internship site, accepting applications for October 2026 and January 2027 start dates. They are currently affiliated with University of Miami, Florida Gulf Coast University, and others out of state. Thank you Bree and CATPB for all the amazing work you do for the South FL region!

[ID: graphic with white background featuring the Florida Music Therapy Task Force logo and the Creative Arts Therapies of the Palm Beaches logo. 3 pictures are shown: 1) CATPB team members, 2) Founder Catherine Nielsen, MT-BC and Bree Gordon, MT-BC, 3) CATPB team members)

05/29/2026

FLORIDA MUSIC THERAPY HILL DAY LEGISLATOR SPOTLIGHT: REPRESENTATIVE WILL ROBINSON!

Rep. Will Robinson represents District 71 – Manatee County. Born and raised in Bradenton, Representative Robinson is deeply committed to serving his community and brings an extensive background in business and real estate law to his legislative work. Outside of his political duties, he actively serves on local boards and supports initiatives that strengthen Florida’s communities and business landscape.

Julie Cruz (music therapy student) shares: “It was my first time attending an event like this and it was an experience I am going to remember forever. Advocating for our profession is one of the biggest things we can do as students and it was so exciting to meet with legislators and hear their perspectives. Although I did not get to speak much, some legislators asked us about our roles as students in music therapy and it was great to see how much they seemed to care about what we were doing! A unique experience that I would love to do again.”

Thank you Rep. Will Robinson for meeting with the Florida Music Therapy Task Force at Florida Music Therapy Hill Day!

[ID: Picture of Florida Music Therapy Task Force members and student volunteers with Rep. Will Robinson of District 71 at Florida Music Therapy Hill Day on February 10, 2026 at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, FL.]

05/28/2026

INTRODUCING OUR MUSIC THERAPY COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: BIG BEND HOSPICE!

Big Bend Hospice provides in-person, individualized music therapy services in hospice care. They are based in Tallahassee, with a music therapy team consisting of 6 MT-BCs and 2 music therapy interns at a time.

Big Bend is a national roster internship site, currently accepting applications for January 2027 start dates - and beyond! They are also seeking an MT-BC for Jefferson, Madison, and Taylor counties.

Big Bend’s mission is to “inspire hope by positively impacting the way our community experiences serious illness or grief – one family at a time”.
Thank you Big Bend Hospice for all the incredible work you do for the FL Big Bend region!

[ID: graphic with white background featuring the Florida Music Therapy Task Force logo and the Big Bend Hospice logo. 2 pictures are shown: 1) collage of Big Bend Hospice music therapy team members, 2) start dates and location for the Big Bend music therapy internship]

05/21/2026

FLORIDA MUSIC THERAPY HILL DAY LEGISLATOR SPOTLIGHT: REPRESENTATIVE LINDA CHANEY!

Rep. Linda Chaney represents District 61 – Pinellas County. First elected to the Florida House in 2020, Representative Chaney has a deep background in business management, marketing, and community advocacy, having previously served as a St. Pete Beach City Commissioner. She is particularly passionate about healthcare access, coastal conservation, and supporting local businesses. Outside of her legislative duties, she is actively involved in numerous Pinellas County civic organizations and non-profits.

Myra Sexton (music therapy student) shares: “The Music Therapy Hill Day was a fun, educational, and demanding experience! One thing I learned how to do was tailor the language I used when advocating for music therapy to legislatures of different backgrounds and perspectives. Sometimes, I would take the humanities route by discussing how this field improves the lives of those receiving the services and the various therapeutic outcomes that using music leads to. Other times, I would discuss the fraud and harm that occurred throughout the state of Florida because of the lack of licensure. Overall, I learned so much that day by sitting in the same rooms as professional music therapists advocating for their field. I hope to keep learning so that I can continue advocacy efforts at the state legislative level!”

Thank you Rep. Linda Chaney for meeting with the Florida Music Therapy Task Force at Florida Music Therapy Hill Day!

[ID: Picture of Florida Music Therapy Task Force members, student volunteers, and a service dog with Rep. Linda Chaney of District 61 at Florida Music Therapy Hill Day on February 10, 2026 at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, FL.]

05/11/2026

FLORIDA MUSIC THERAPY HILL DAY LEGISLATOR SPOTLIGHT: SENATOR KRISTEN ARRINGTON!

Sen. Kristen Arrington represents District 25 - Osceola county and part of Orange County. Kristen has called Kissimmee her hometown since the age of three and is passionate about giving back to her community. Outside of her political work, she volunteers for local non-profits, including Meals on Wheels and causes supporting animal welfare.

Lauren (board-certified music therapist; FLMTTF Communications Team) shares: “It was wonderful meeting with Senator Arrington during our hill day this year. She provided us with important insight, advice, and encouragement. It was evident that Senator Arrington truly understands the value of our profession and the need for licensure in Florida. I am so grateful to Senator Arrington for her continued support!”

Thank you Sen. Kristen Arrington for meeting with the Florida Music Therapy Task Force at Florida Music Therapy Hill Day!

[ID: Picture of some Florida Music Therapy Task Force members/volunteers with Sen. Kristen Arrington of District 25 at Florida Music Therapy Hill Day on February 10, 2026 at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, FL.]

Address

Tallahassee, FL
32300–32399

Website

http://www.musictherapy.org/, http://www.cbmt.org/

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