ATTENTION READERS: ACAeNews is taking a summer break--there will be no issue on June 30. The next edition will be disseminated on July 7, 2009.
In this edition readers will find:
- California Moves One Step Closer to Counselor Licensure
- Gerald Corey to Keynote ACA 2010 Conference
- ACES, IAAOC, and C-AHEAD Appoint New Journal Editors
- LPCs Recognized by Hallmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Pennsylvania
- National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program Now Accepting Applications
- Advocacy Matters: Speaking Out on Behalf of Counseling
- Reliable Resource: NCAA to Unveil New Student Website on June 29th
- ACA Private Practice Pointers Offers Guidance on Electronic Billing and Claims Submission
- Worth Reading: Studies Reveal Economic Realities are Causing Students to Defer Dreams
- Fast Fact: Charitable Donations Feeling "Belt Tightening" of the Economy
- ACA Encyclopedia of Counseling: A "Must Have" for Counselor Libraries
- Summer Publications Sale: Six Titles Reduced to $14.95
- Calendar: ASCA, NCDA, AMCD, ACES, AMHCA and NECA Hold Summer Conferences
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Featured CE of the Month (June)
Psychosocial Adaptation to Chronic Illness and Disability: A Primer for Counselors
California Moves One Step Closer to Counselor Licensure
The California Coalition for Counselor Licensure (CCCL) recently took an important step toward gaining licensure of counselors in their state, the last in the country without a licensure law. On June 3rd the California Senate signed off on counselor licensure legislation, SB 788, by a strong 36-1 vote. The measured was approved as a procedural step to allow the legislation to continue working its way through the legislature by being considered in the state assembly. Prior to the vote, Senator Mark Wyland, the bill's lead author, made it clear that amendments were being drafted, and that senators would be given an opportunity to vote on the legislation again after assembly consideration.
The state senate's vote was made possible by a breakthrough agreement between CCCL, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, the California Psychological Association, and the California Chapter of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy on key issues pertaining to counselor licensure, including counselors' scope of practice and grandparenting of currently licensed providers. The agreement was reached at 1:00 a.m. the morning of the senate vote, after six weeks of negotiations among the parties. CCCL is working with others to develop bill amendments reflecting the agreements reached.
Counselors in California are urged to thank their senators for supporting the Wyland bill. (Only Senator Leland Yee, a child psychologist, voted against the legislation; Senators Denise Moreno Ducheny and Alex Padilla were not present for the vote or abstained.) Information regarding the licensure bill, including a sample message for contacting the California Assembly Business and Professions Committee, will be posted on the CCCL website in the coming days, at http://www.caccl.org.
Gerald Corey to Keynote ACA 2010 Conference
ACA just announced the first of two keynote speakers for the 2010 ACA Annual Conference & Exposition, March 18-22 in Pittsburgh. Gerald Corey, Ed.D., ABPP, Diplomate in Counseling Psychology, Professor Emeritus, Human Services and Counseling, California State University, Fullerton will present on: "The Counselor as a Person and as a Professional."
Who we are as a person and as a professional are integrally related, according to Corey. His presentation in the Keystone state will focus on some of the ways our personal life impacts our professional life and how our work affects us personally. Some of the topics to be addressed are: the counselor as a therapeutic person; personal therapy for therapists; addressing ethical issues; managing personal and professional boundaries; how our values and beliefs affect what we do professionally; personal issues that many counselors face; effectively managing the stress associated with being a counselor; the challenge of balancing life roles; the necessity of maintaining our vitality; and the importance of self-care.
The session will be Sunday, March 21, at 9am. The summer registration rate is in effect thru August 31 ($275; $180 for Students/New Professional/Retiree categories of membership).
ACES, IAAOC, and C-AHEAD Appoint New Journal Editors
ACA is pleased to announce the appointment of new editors to three ACA Division journals. These editors will assume editorial responsibilities for their journal as of July 1, 2009.
Counselor Education and Supervision
Dr. Heather Helm and Dr. Linda Black of the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO
Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling
Dr. Stephen Southern of Mississippi College in Clinton, MS
Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education and Development
Dr. Colette T. Dollarhide of The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH
For a complete listing of ACA and Division journals, submission information, and subscription rates, visit www.counseling.org/publications and click on the journals link.
LPCs Recognized by Hallmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Pennsylvania
After a lengthy counselor licensure fight that saw Pennsylvania among the last states to achieve the Licensed Professional Counselor credential, counselor recognition by healthcare providers became the next battleground. Ed Beck, long time ACA and AMHCA leader and activist, reported recently that the recognition of LPCs in the Central Pennsylvania region has now been achieved by their approval for third party reimbursement by Hallmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program Now Accepting Applications
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program is now accepting applications for loan repayment awards. The announcement is the first step in implementing $200 million in new funding devoted to the program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus legislation enacted earlier this year.
The NHSC is a competitive program that recruits health professionals--including licensed professional counselors--to serve in areas with inadequate access to health care, referred to as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). In return for their service, the corps assists clinicians in their payment of qualifying education loans. To be eligible, counselors must be fully trained, licensed, and working at (or in the final stages of employment negotiations with) an NHSC-eligible facility. For more information, or to apply online, go to http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/. Applications will be accepted until funds run out, or September 30, 2010, whichever comes first.
The "opportunities list" of facilities seeking a NHSC provider is available online at http://nhscjobs.hrsa.gov/.
Advocacy Matters: Speaking Out on Behalf of Counseling
Many ACA leaders and members are called upon to present information to public and professional groups, an experience that can produce "sweaty palms" for some. Richard Zeoli, writing for www.forbes.com, has identified the seven core principles for effective public speaking that follow:
- Stop trying to be a great speaker.
- Stop trying to be perfect. When you make a mistake, no one cares but you.
- Visualize. If you can see it, you can speak it.
- Be disciplined. Practice makes it good.
- Describe. Make it personal.
- Inspire. Speak to serve.
- Build anticipation: Leave your audience wanting more.
Seven Principles of Effective Public Speaking...
Reliable Resource: NCAA to Unveil New Student Website June 29th
The National Collegiate Athletic Association will open a new and enhanced student website on June 29th. At this location students and counselors can track NCAA eligibility requirements and download a copy of the latest edition of The Guide for College-Bound Student-Athlete. The new site also will present information regarding the "reality" of college athletes taking their skills to the professional level.
Worth Reading: Economic Realities are Causing Students to Defer Dreams
A survey of high school members by the National Association for College Admission Counseling reports a significant majority (70%) of high schools indicating increases in the number of students who are feeling the need to modify their ambitions and choose more affordable options over their "dream schools." Other findings included an increase in the number of students seeking admission to public versus private colleges and a heightened interest in community, junior, and technical colleges.
ACA Private Practice Pointers Offers Guidance on Electronic Billing and Claims Submission
Electronic claim submission is the efficient way of filing claims for reimbursement, and in many instances it is the required way. It can also lead to faster reimbursement. If you are in private practice, learn more about electronic billing and claims submission in the latest posting on Private Practice Pointers by Bob Walsh and Norm Dasenback, a "members only" feature of the www.counseling.org.
Fast Fact: Charitable Donations Feeling the "Belt Tightening" of the Economy
The Giving USA Foundation has some good news and bad news about public donations to U.S. charities. While exceeding $300 billion for the second year in a row in 2008, charitable causes saw a decline when compared to 2007. Two of three public charities experienced decreases in 2008, with religion, public-society benefit, and international affairs being the only sectors to buck the trend and show gains. Philanthropic leaders cite the recession as the culprit, but commend citizens for their giving behaviors.
ACA Encyclopedia of Counseling: A "Must Have" for Counselor Libraries
This premiere counseling reference book is ideal for students, educators, supervisors, researchers, and practitioners seeking to quickly update or refresh their knowledge of the most important topics in counseling. More than 400 entries span the 2009 CACREP core areas used in counselor preparation, continuing education, and accreditation of counseling degree programs, making this a perfect text for introductory counseling classes or for use as a study guide when preparing for the National Counselor Exam. This encyclopedia makes counseling come alive through its user-friendly writing style; instructive examples that connect readers to practice, teaching, supervision, and research; and its helpful cross-referencing of entries, boldfaced important terminology, and suggested resources for further study.
2009 | 672 pages
Order # 72879
ISBN 978-1-55620-288-9
List Price: $99.95
ACA Member Price: $74.95
Summer Publications Sale: Six Titles Reduced to $14.95
Prices on six popular ACA titles have been slashed thru June 30. An email was sent to all ACA members June 3 but you can click here to view the titles.
Calendar: ASCA, NCDA, AMCD, ACES, AMHCA and NECA Hold Summer Conferences
June 28 - July 1
American School Counselor Association
Dallas Convention Center
Dallas, TX
Theme: Making a Difference
Details...
July 1-3
National Career Development Association
Marriott - St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
Theme: Inspiring Career Development Practitioners
Details...
July 8-11
Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development/Association for Counselor Education and Supervisor 2nd International Counseling Conference
Gabarone, Botswana
Details...
July 23-25
American Mental Health Counselors Association
Washington Court Hotel
Washington, DC
Theme: Strengthening Individual, Families & Communities Through Mental Health Counseling & Advocacy
Details...
July 29
National Employment Counseling Association Summer Professional Development Institute
Theme: United in Developing One Global Workforce
Annapolis Yacht Club
Annapolis, MD
Details: www.employmentcounseling.org or kbrawley@mindspring.com
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.
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.
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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