Attention: ACA 2011 Conference & Exposition Registrants
Included in this edition are a number of messages for conference participants. ACA has created a new
P.S. Today is
In this issue readers will find:
- White House Issues Most Significant Report on Women in Half Century
- House Action on School Counseling Requires Immediate Counselor Action
- Conference Registrants Can Now Plan Schedule with New Online Feature—Before Leaving Home
- In the News: Recession Leading Graduates to Public Service
- Media Coverage for Counseling: APA Monitor Features ACA and NECA on the Unemployment Crisis
- Meet the Authors of ACA's Best-Selling and Newly Published Books in New Orleans
- Relevant Research: Depression and Loss of Financial Aid Influential in Dropping Out of College
- Identify Exhibitors and Plan Expo Experience Using New Online Interactive Tool
- Fast Facts: Many 9/11 Survivors Suffered from PTSD
- Call for Programs: City by the Bay to Welcome Counselors in 2012
- Calendar: NJ, MO, ME, CT, and SD Branch Conferences Coming in April
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ACA blogs, written by counselors, for counselors:
White House Issues Most Significant Report on Women in Half Century
Earlier this month the White House released a new report entitled Women in America: Indicators of Social and Economic Well-Being, a statistical portrait showing how women are faring in the U.S. today and how their lives have changed over time. This is the first comprehensive federal report on women since 1963, when the Commission on the Status of Women, established by President John F. Kennedy and chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, produced a report on the status of women.
Highlights from the 2011 report include:
- Women have not only caught up with men in college attendance but younger women are now more likely than younger men to have a college or a graduate degree.
- Women are working more and the number of women and men in the labor force has nearly equalized in recent years. As women's work has increased, their earnings constitute a growing share of family income.
- Gains in education and labor force involvement have not yet translated into wage and income equity. At all levels of education, women earned about 75% of what their male counterparts earned in 2009. These economic inequities are even more acute for women of color.
- Women live longer than men but are more likely to face certain health problems, such as mobility impairments, arthritis, asthma, depression, and obesity. One out of seven women age 18-64 has no usual source of health care. The share of women in that age range without health insurance has also increased.
- Women are less likely than in the past to be the target of violent crimes, including homicide. But women are victims of certain crimes, such as intimate partner violence and stalking, at higher rates than men.
The report was released to coincide with Women's History Month which is celebrated each March.
House Action on School Counseling Requires Immediate Counselor Action
On February 19, the House passed a spending bill (H.R. 1) along party lines to impose $61 billion in federal government funding cuts, compared to current levels, for the rest of the fiscal year, ending September 30. The bill would eliminate many education, health, and other important programs, including the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP), the only source of federal funds dedicated solely to creating and expanding comprehensive school counseling programs by credentialed school counselors. If removed from existing Department of Education programs, the action could undermine students' access to school counselors and other necessary services and supports. The White House and Senate have expressed concern over H.R. 1 for the massive amount of cuts—not because of the elimination of ESSCP.
Unfortunately, the elimination of ESSCP is being considered as the Administration and Congress search for solutions to ending the rising national debt. The larger discussion is influenced by the fact that the White House has, 2 years in a row, pushed to consolidate (which may mean eliminate) ESSCP and many other programs because they want to use that money for other priorities, such as a larger block grant that allows states and districts to generally address student well-being based on whatever their school climate surveys show need attention. ACA is supportive of the school climate work, but we would rather expand than eliminate ESSCP and allow it to complement the school climate endeavors. There is much at stake and it would be a very bad precedent if any funding bill signed into law reduced or eliminated funding for ESSCP.
ACA and ASCA are calling upon members to speak out and shift this momentum. Calls should be made to expand, not eliminate ESSCP. Contact your two U.S. Senators and Representative and express your concern about the elimination of ESSCP. You can call your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121, and asking for a specific member's office when the operator answers.
Suggested Message:
"My name is ____ and I live in _____. As a constituent and professional counselor, I ask that the Representative/Senator __________ oppose funding cuts to the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program and other education and health programs necessary for America's children and families to succeed and thrive.
Instead, please support the Senate Appropriations Committee fiscal year 2011 recommendation to fund the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program at $57 million. This is a small but desperately needed increase over the program's current level of $55 million. Thank you."
To learn more about this critical legislative concern, visit:
Questions and requests for additional information should be directed to ACA's Dominic W. Holt, at 800-347-6647 x242 or dholt@counseling.org
Conference Registrants Can Now Plan Schedule with New Online Feature—Before Leaving Home
On March 11, ACA Conference & Exposition participants will be able to access a new
In the News: Recession Leading Graduates to Public Service
A recent New York Times story reported that the recession has had an impact on where recent college graduates are positioning themselves in the workforce. Using the 2009 findings of the American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau as the source, the story stated that 16% more young college graduates had accepted positions in government and another 11% took jobs in the nonprofit sector. Fewer beginning opportunities in fields like retail, finance, and brand management were cited as the reasons for the shift.
Media Coverage for Counseling: APA Monitor Features ACA and NECA on the Unemployment Crisis
An article in the March edition of the APA Monitor on the unemployment crisis in America included extensive comments from ACA Past President Jane Goodman, National Association of Employment Counselors (NECA) acting President Michael Lazarchick, and Past President of NECA, Robert Chope.
Each spoke to the role of counselors and psychotherapists in addressing the career and mental health issues that often surface together for individuals who seek counseling when faced with job loss. Chope also spoke to the importance of continuing education for all counselors and psychologists in order to focus on unemployment in general and the accompanying emotional baggage that is often associated with it.
Meet Authors of ACA's Best-Selling and Newly Published Books in New Orleans
Some of the most influential authors in counseling will present at the ACA Annual Conference & Exposition in New Orleans. The authors, representing ACA's best-selling and newly published books, will present a special series of
Presenters will include:
- Samuel Gladding – The Creative Arts in Counseling
- Richard Halstead, Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson, and Jodi Mullen – Counseling Children: A Core Issues Approach
- John Sommers-Flanagan and Rita Sommers-Flanagan – The Essentials of Tough Kids, Cool Counseling: Evidence-Based Principles and Innovative Techniques
- Patrice Moulton and Gerald Corey – Clinical Supervision in the Helping Professions
- J. Shannon Hodges and Amy Reece Connelly – A Job Search Manual for Counselors and Counselor Educators: How to Navigate and Promote Your Counseling Career
- Sheri Bauman – Cyberbullying: What Counselors Need to Know
- Gerald Corey – Creating Your Professional Path: Lessons From My Journey
- Mark Pope, Joseph Pangelinan, and Angela Coker – Experiential Activities for Teaching Multicultural Competence in Counseling
- Jane Webber and J. Barry Mascari – Terrorism, Trauma, and Tragedies: A Counselor's Guide to Preparing and Responding
- Craig Cashwell and J. Scott Young – Integrating Spirituality and Religion Into Counseling: A Guide to Competent Practice
In addition, visit with keynote speakers CNN Reporter Soledad O'Brien and Dr. Judith Beck, as well as ACA authors at the
Relevant Research: Depression and Loss of Financial Aid Influential in Dropping Out of College
Depression and a loss of financial aid are the two factors cited by most college students who are considering dropping out—while events such as a death in the family and students' failure to get into their preferred major have little apparent effect on continued enrollment. These findings are being reported in a College Board funded study conducted by Michigan State University. Researcher Tim Pleskac said previous studies had delved into the role critical events play in employee turnover decisions, but this was the first study to examine the phenomenon with college withdrawal.
Identify Exhibitors and Plan Expo Experience Using New Online Interactive Tool
No trip to the New Orleans Conference & Exposition would be complete without a thorough tour of the Expo to interact with exhibitors and examine the books, videos, and related resources on display. To assist attendees, ACA has developed an interactive floor plan online for the first time.
Go to
Conference participants should also mark the following Expo events on their schedule:
- Welcome Reception and Expo Grand Opening – Thursday, March 24, 4:30 – 7:00pm
- Lunch in the Expo (sponsored by Walden University) – Friday, March 25, Noon – 2:00pm
- Saturday Social: Refreshment in the Expo – Saturday, March 26, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Fast Facts: Many 9/11 Survivors Suffered from PTSD
Many survivors of the 9/11 World Trade attacks suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) years later, according to findings being reported by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The survey of over 3,200 evacuees of the Twin Towers found that nearly all suffered at least one PTSD symptom and 15% had PTSD 2 or 3 years after the attacks. The likelihood of PTSD was greater for those who evacuated later, were on a high floor, or worked for a company that lost employees in the disaster.
Call for Programs: City by the Bay to Welcome Counselors in 2012
The online Call for Proposals for the ACA 2012 Conference & Exposition, March 21-25, in San Francisco, California, will go live on April 4. The submission deadline is June 8, 2011 at 5 pm ET.
Topics are sought in all areas of counseling but ACA has specific interest in these topics for 2012: disaster mental health, social media, and military members and their families. Advanced programs in all topics are also being sought.
The Call is for Pre-conference Learning Institutes and regular conference Education Sessions.
Pre-Conference Learning Institutes
- Focus on advanced skills, techniques, and approaches that counselors can utilize in their day-to-day work
- Are presented by highly-qualified experts in the field
- Offer a smaller class size, which gives attendees a more intense learning experience
- Take place the two days prior to the start of the conference (March 21-22, 2012)
- Are offered in two formats: Daytime Sessions, 6 contact hours, and Evening Sessions, 3 contact hours
Education Sessions
- Make up the core conference (March 23-25, 2012)
- Are offered in three different formats: 90-Minute Program, 60-Minute Program, 30-Minute Project/Research Poster Session (takes place in Convention Center Exhibit Hall)
Note: Class sizes for 90- and 60-minute programs are based on room capacity. Complete details will be available on the website along with submission instructions.
Registration for the 2012 ACA Conference & Exposition itself opens late March with the Summer Rate of $320 ($220, Students/New Professionals/Retirees). This low registration rate will be available through August 15, 2011. Online registration will be available in late March. Or call 800-347-6647, x222 (M-F, 8 am to 7 pm ET).
Calendar: NJ, MO, ME, CT, and SD Conferences Coming in April
Branch: New Jersey Counseling Association
Theme: Counseling in the Cyber Age
Dates: April 1-3, 2011
Location: The Donald Warner Student Life Center, Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ
Branch: American Counseling Association of Missouri
Dates: April 7-9, 2011
Location: Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO
Branch: Maine Counseling Association
Dates: April 11-12, 2011
Location: Samoset Resort, Rockport, ME
Branch: Connecticut Counseling Association
Theme: Counseling Connections 2011 ~ Wellness Across the Lifespan
Dates: April 28-30, 2011
Location: Westside Campus of Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT
Branch: South Dakota Counseling Association
Theme: 50 Years of Counseling Excellence
Dates: April 28-30, 2011
Location: Sioux Falls Conference Center, Sioux Falls, SD
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 dbrown@counseling.org. Please provide the sponsor, dates, theme, site, and contact person information. Information posted here is restricted to that sponsored by ACA divisions, branches, regions and related organizations.
About ACAeNews
ACAeNews is published 24 times annually 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. Past editions can be found
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 to meet space parameters.
Marcheta P. Evans, Ph.D., President
Marcheta.evans@utsa.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 Web site: www.counseling.org
Copyright 2011, 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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