States must complete a simple online application to obtain funds from the Ed Jobs Aid President Obama signed into law on August 10. Read more...

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools announced the fiscal year 2010 grantees for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP). These school districts were awarded grants up to $400,000 a year for three years to establish or expand school counseling programs in elementary, K-12, or secondary schools. Read more...

Nationally, only 70% of students graduate from high school with a regular diploma in America. And every school day, approximately 7,000 students drop out of high school. These figures represent the nation's dropout crisis, which poses significant threats to those disconnected youth and our country's long-term economic security. However, some leaders, such as Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA-39th), recognize that more professional school counselors are essential, especially in low-income schools, in order to address the dropout crisis. Read more...

Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) are championing bipartisan legislation to improve mental health services on college campuses. The Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act (H.R. 1704/S.682) creates a competitive grant program that would provide funding to colleges to focus on both outreach to identify students with mental health needs and treatment of students coming to counseling centers for help. Read more...

ACA President Dr. Lynn E. Linde recently held multiple high-level congressional meetings on the important role of credentialed school counselors in helping all students succeed in school and life. Read more...

Recently, ACA submitted written testimony on a hearing held by the Senate HELP Committee, entitled "Meeting the Needs of the Whole Student." In a written statement, ACA President Dr. Lynn Linde emphasized the need for Congress to ensure that professional school counselors are recognized as key partners with teachers and principals in helping all students to succeed in school and in life. Read more...

On April 14, 2010, the American Counseling Association (ACA) submitted written testimony to the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. Read more...

A recent report funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, entitled 'Can I Get a Little Advice Here?', highlights the importance of school counseling services, and the need to improve access to high-quality guidance services in secondary schools. Read more...