In this edition readers will find:
- Education Secretary States Counselor Elimination Among Devastating Outcomes If Stimulus Isn't Passed
- Suicide Hotline Statistics Rise: Economy Questioned as Cause
- Counselors Respond to Economic Crisis--Counseling Today March Feature
- Relevant Research: What are You Reading? Or are You?
- New ACA Book Provides Interventions and Exercises Tailored to Clients' Unique Loss and Grief Experiences
- Fast Fact: ED Estimates Homeschooled Students at 1.5 Million
- Worth Reading: New Report Focuses on Educational Attainment and U.S. Future
- Revised Author Guidelines Posted on ACA Website
- Liability Insurance Now Included in ACA Membership for Master's Students
- Latest ACA Podcast Examines Work of Carl Rogers with Author Kirschenbaum
- Calendar: ACA/NCCA, CA, KS, and ME Conferences Approaching
Conference Corner:
- ACA Conference Advance Registration Rate Ends February 17
- New Evening Pre-Conference Learning Institute on Transgender Clients
- ACA Foundation to Hold "Growing Happy and Confident Kids" Program in Charlotte
- Counseling Service Members, MBTI and STRONG Topics of Special ACEG Sessions in Charlotte
- NECA Awards Brunch & Social Justice/Employment Institute: "Multicultural Solutions for 21st Century Workplace"
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A video message from Colleen R. Logan, PhD
ACA President
(2008-2009)
Education Secretary States Counselor Elimination Among Devastating Outcomes If Stimulus Isn't Passed
In a U.S. News & World Report article posted on February 5th, newly seated Secretary of Education Arne Duncan included the loss of school counselors among the devastating effects if the stimulus package education measures are not enacted. "It is to no one's advantage if class size skyrockets or librarians get eliminated or school counselors disappear," stated Duncan. The Secretary also spoke to the importance of narrowing the achievement gap, developing better tests, addressing over-testing and helping students realize their full educational potential.
U.S. News & World Report article...
Suicide Hotline Statistics Rise: Economy Questioned as Cause
History points to the fact that suicide rates in the U.S. rose significantly during the Great Depression of the last century. While it may be too early to tell if the current economic crisis will produce a similar spike in suicides and attempted suicides, personal financial loss, home forfeiture, job loss, and the other effects of the downward economic spiral are being considered as causes for the current increase in calls to suicide hotlines. Counselors will be on the front lines in serving clients distraught over how the current situation is affecting them personally.
USA Todayreported in January that "calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline jumped 36% from 2007 to 2008, totaling 545,000 last year." The story also reported on rising statistics in calls to local mental-health crisis and suicide hotlines in multiple localities around the nation.
Counselors Respond to Economic Crisis--Counseling Today March Feature
As bad news continues to roll in, more ACA members are asking what role counselors can play in helping clients deal with uncertain economic times. Watch for your March issue of Counseling Today, in which eight ACA members in different practice settings and at different points in their careers share stories of how the economy is affecting them and their clients. They also suggest practical strategies that every counselor can use to help clients weather the economic storm.
Relevant Research: What are You Reading? Or Are You?
What effect do television, the Internet, and other electronic devices have on the reading behaviors of people? Do Americans read things they are not obligated to read? The National Endowment for the Arts sought to find the answers to these and other questions in expanding a landmark 2004 NEA report, Reading at Risk.
NEA's latest report, To Read or Not To Read, represents an analysis of reading patterns of children, teenagers, and adults and reveals recent declines in voluntary reading and test scores alike, exposing trends that could have severe consequences for American society.
New ACA Book Provides Interventions and Exercises Tailored to Clients' Unique Loss and Grief Experiences
Counseling Strategies for Loss and Grief
Keren M. Humphrey
Based on contemporary understandings of the nature of personal and interpersonal loss and the ways in which people integrate loss and grief into their lives, this innovative book focuses on tailoring effective interventions to the uniqueness of the griever's experience. In Part 1, Dr. Humphrey discusses a variety of death- and non-death-related loss and grief experiences, offers conceptualization guidelines, outlines selected psychosocial factors, and describes intervention based on two contemporary grief models.
Part 2 provides detailed therapeutic strategies organized according to focus or theoretical origins along with suggestions for implementation and customization to client uniqueness. Specific chapters include cognitive-behavioral and constructivist strategies, emotion-focused strategies, narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, and adjunctive activities. The final chapter focuses on counselor roles and recommended professional and personal practices.
2009 | 260 pages
Order #72887
ISBN 978-1-55620-246-9
List Price: $48.95
ACA Member Price: $35.95
Fast Fact: ED Estimates Homeschooled Students at 1.5 Million
The U.S. Department of Education, in new figures released in December, estimates the number of homeschooled students in the nation at 1.5 million in 2007. The three reasons for homeschooling offered by parents or more than two-thirds of students were concern about the school environment, to provide religious or moral instruction, and dissatisfaction with the existing academic instruction. During the 2003-2007 period, the percentage of parents saying they were homeschooling to provide religious or moral instruction rose from 72 percent to 83 percent.
Worth Reading: New Report Focuses on Educational Attainment and U.S. Future
The U. S. must take immediate action to reverse its fall from the top ranks of countries with a college-educated workforce. If postsecondary education success is not made a national priority, our country's economic and social health will continue to weaken. These thoughts comprise the theme of Coming to Our Senses: Education and the American Future, a report of College Board's Commission on Access, Admissions and Success in Higher Education, released in December.
The Commission recommends a specific 10-part action agenda to reverse the current trend in student achievement and promises annual evaluations to track success. Further, the report provides recommendations to strengthen our education system across the pre-kindergarten-age 20 pipeline, increase the number of students earning postsecondary degrees or certificates and regain our global competitive edge for the 21st century.
Revised Author Guidelines Posted on ACA Website
Guidelines for Authors for the Journal of Counseling & Development and the other scholarly journals that are managed by ACA were recently updated on the ACA website.
Liability Insurance Now Included in ACA Membership for Master's Students
ACA recently announced a new benefit for its Master's level student members: professional liability ("malpractice") insurance. The ACA Student membership of $89 now includes liability insurance to ACA student members enrolled and engaged in a master's degree counseling curriculum at a post secondary institution. Coverage is solely while performing counseling services (e.g. practicum and internship) related to such curriculum. Students enrolled in a doctoral degree program or other post master's program are not covered through this program. But don't worry, there is a program available to you. Call ACA's Insurance Trust at 800-347-6647 x284 for more information.
For additional questions regarding the program, click here or contact ACA Member Services toll free at 1-800-347-6647, ext. 222 or 703-823-9800, ext. 222.
Latest ACA Podcast Examines Work of Carl Rogers
The latest installment of ACA's Podcast Series focuses on the father of the person-centered approach, Carl Rogers. In Podcast HT007—Carl Rogers, the Person Centered Approach, internationally recognized Rogers expert Howard Kirschenbaum offers insights into the life of the complex man and his unparalleled contributions. Some information will be a big surprise to Rogers' aficionados! Running time: 46:58. Free to ACA members (log-in required).
Read more about the book The Life and Work of Carl Rogers...
Calendar: ACA/NCCA, KS, and ME Conferences Approaching
March 12-13, 2009
Kansas Counseling Association
Highland Hotel and Convention Center, Great Bend, KS
Information...
March 19-23, 2009
American Counseling Association/North Carolina Counseling Association
Charlotte, NC
Information...
March 30-31, 2009
Maine Counseling Association
Samoset Resort, Rockport, ME
Information...
ACA divisions, branches, and regions are valuable sources of learning and professional development. Information on events will be posted approximately 8-10 weeks prior. This information is made available to ACAeNews via the ACA master calendar and the various organization web sites. Send calendar items to dwilliams@counseling.org. Please provide the sponsor, dates, site, and contact person information. Information posted here is restricted to that sponsored by ACA divisions, branches, regions and related organizations.
ACA Conference Advance Registration Rate Ends February 17
Mark Tuesday, February 17 on your calendar. That is the last day you can register for the 2009 ACA Conference & Exposition, March 19-23, 2009 in Charlotte, NC at the Advance Rate. Take a few minutes now to register for the largest most comprehensive educational and networking event in the world that is dedicated to professional counseling.
New Evening Pre-Conference Learning Institutes on Transgender Clients
Among the 41 Pre-Conference Learning Institutes offered on Thursday and Friday (March 19, 20) is a new Introductory level one: "Who Really Are your Transgender Clients: A Basic Primer on the Transgender Community," presented by Gypsey Elaine Teague. This 3-CE program is offered Thursday from 5:30 pm - 8:45 pm. Read More.
Already registered? There is still time to add a pre-Conference Learning Institute for Thursday, March 19 or Friday, March 20. Discount registration for LIs also expires on February 17.
ACA Foundation to Hold "Growing Happy and Confident Kids" Program in Charlotte
The ACA Foundation is pleased to announce a Presidential Featured Session titled "Growing Happy and Confident Kids Program: Making a Difference in the Field" scheduled in room 213D of the Charlotte Convention Center Saturday, March 21 from 2pm to 3:30pm, during the ACA Conference & Exposition.
Participants will learn how school counselors are using books from the Growing Happy and Confident Kids program in their efforts to make a difference in the lives of children at risk.
Counseling Service Members, MBTI and STRONG Topics of Special ACEG Sessions in Charlotte
ACA Division, Association for Counselors and Educators in Government (ACEG), is holding two special programs in Charlotte:
"Supporting and Advocating for Our Service Members: Pre, In, and Post Service" will be held Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, 2009. This PDI will update counselors and educators on the various support services including education, mental and physical health, legal, and career development. Counselors of all specialties are encouraged to attend this PDI. A separate registration fee applies.
1 Day: (Either day) ACEG member advance registration $180 (nonmember & on-site registration $195); Fulltime Graduate Students: $150 advance registration ($160 on-site)
2 Days: ACEG member advanced registration $310 (non member & on-site registration $335). Fulltime Graduate Students: $260advance registration ($275 on-site).
The ACEG Awards Luncheon will be held on the 19th and is included in the registration fee.
In addition, a special ACEG Workshop, which is open to all attendees, will be held: "Using the MBTI and STRONG for Career Development."
Advance registration $75 (on-site $85). This workshop is included in the 2-day registration fee or the 1-day fee on the 20th.
For more information visit the ACEG website at http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/organizations/aceg/PDI.htm. CEUs are available. Address all PDI programming questions to Dr. Janet Wall at jw4aac@earthlink.net.
NECA Awards Brunch & Social Justice/Employment Institute: "Multicultural Solutions for 21st Century Workplace"
The NECA Practitioner Award is designated for someone from the local regional area where the ACA Conference and NECA Annual Institute is held to recognize a local outstanding practitioner or employment innovator. NECA is excited to announce the 2009 designee is Astrid Chirinos, founder of Diverso Global Strategies which helps national corporations with their multicultural marketing and workforce development strategy services-- essential skills for employment in today's world of uncertainty.
Astrid, a professional Latin woman living in Charlotte has faced cultural barriers over her lifetime in the workplace, and looks for solutions to turn those barriers into opportunities. She's a perfect choice of someone who knows how to survive the economic meltdown and navigate the rough seas of employment through her multicultural solutions venture. You will want to meet Astrid and hear about her immigration story; it's not too late...simply go to the NECA website or ACA website NOW to register for the NECA Awards Brunch and Social Justice/Employment Institute.
Astrid will be followed by Drs. Robert Chope, Rebecca Toporek, Michael Lazarchick, Sue Pressman, Carolyn Greer, Andrew Helwig, Carolyn Kalil, Carol Taylor, Kimberly Key and graduate students Felicia Tripp and Robin Gluck. The theme will be on alleviating injustice and oppression for all people, but particularly for those who may be marginalized due to employment issues. NECA leaders and participants will have the opportunity to discuss Career Professionals and the economic crisis: How can we best help those we serve?
Registration for the training offered by NECA at the March 20, 2009 Institute is available online at the ACA website: www.counseling.org (see division luncheon) or the NECA website: www.employmentcounseling.org. The $75 fee includes the opening Awards Brunch (Grad students, $40—offer good until March 1). For more information, contact NECA Professional Development Director Dr. Kay Brawley: kbrawley@mindspring.com.
ABOUT ACAeNews
ACAeNews is published bimonthly by the American Counseling Association for the benefit of members across the counseling profession. Any reference to a product, service, activity, or listing of a website in ACAeNews does not imply endorsement by ACA. Any views and opinions are those of the sponsoring organization and may or may not be shared by ACA.
Direct comments, questions, and submissions to fburtnett@counseling.org. All submissions will be subject to review by ACA for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance to the readership and may be edited.
Colleen Logan, President
clogan@argosy.edu
Richard Yep, CAE, Executive Director
ryep@counseling.org
Debra Bass, Director of Marketing and Communications
dbass@counseling.org
Frank Burtnett, NCC, NCCC, ACAeNews Editor
fburtnett@counseling.org
Don Kenneally, Internet Development / Production
dkenneally@counseling.org
ACA Website: www.counseling.org
Copyright 2009, American Counseling Association, 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304. Telephone: 703-823-9800. Email: fburtnett@counseling.org. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce anything contained in this newsletter as long as the American Counseling Association is identified as the original source of the information.
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