Volume IX, Issue No. 1
January 3, 2007
ACAeNews is a biweekly, electronic newsletter of the American Counseling Association.
In this edition readers will find:
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~ New Years Resolution - Make 2007 a Year of Growth ~
May the New Year provide boundless opportunities for the growth of ACA members, actions that will strengthen the individual counselor, the profession of counseling and the body of services we provide for our clients. Seize every opportunity in 2007 for personal renewal, positive networking and professional advocacy. Happy New Year from ACAeNews!
~ Mental Health Parity Legislation on Agenda for 110th Congress ~
ACA and other mental health advocacy organizations have long pushed for enactment of a federal mental health parity law, to help equalize private insurance coverage of mental health care with general medical care. Private health insurers routinely require higher co-payments and deductibles for mental health care than for other types of health care services, or use explicit limits on the amount of mental health care allowed, in order to restrict access to care. Although most states have enacted "mental health parity" laws to prohibit such insurance practices, there is not yet a federal law that adequately addresses the issue. A federal law is needed because state laws don't apply to all types of health insurance companies, and state parity laws vary considerably.
After years of languishing on the sidelines, it now appears that mental health parity legislation will be given serious consideration by the 110th Congress. In the 109th Congress, more than half of the members of the House of Representatives signed on as cosponsors of parity legislation. Nevertheless, the House Republican leadership prevented the legislation from coming up for a vote on the House floor, due to insurance and business industry concerns that the legislation would drive up health insurance premiums. The House bill (H.R. 1402) was sponsored by Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN). Rep. Ramstad recently said that the increased chance of passing parity legislation was a "silver lining" to the upcoming switch in House leadership to Democrats. Representatives Kennedy and Ramstad have received assurances from incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) that parity legislation will come up for a vote on the House floor. In addition, incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is a strong supporter of mental health parity.
ACA will keep its members posted regarding the progress of this important legislation as it moves through the 110th Congress.
~ ACA Admitted as Non-Governmental Organization at United Nations ~
Representatives of independent citizen organizations are increasingly active in policy making at the United Nations. These organizations - known at the UN as "non-governmental organizations" or "NGOs" - are often the most effective voices for the concerns of ordinary people in the international arena. NGOs include the most outspoken advocates of human rights, the environment, social programs, women's rights and more. Along with 28 other national and international organizations, ACA was granted this status on December 19, 2006 by the UN. ACA now has greater recognition in speaking out on the needs of counseling around the world, especially as it concerns actions taken by the UN.
~ Relevant Research - Do Students Have Too Much Homework? ~
One of the more debatable issues in American education is that of the role of homework and students. Ask any group of students, parents, teachers or counselors and the answers are likely to be varied and opinionated. Wish to participate in a poll on the subject? Edutopia is asking the homework question in its current monthly poll. Go to: http://www.edutopia.org/community/poll/poll.php to participate and peruse other relevant articles.
~ ACA Leads Legislative Training for Nevada Licensure ~
ACA Executive Director Richard Yep and Director of Public Policy Scott Barstow spearheaded an intensive legislative training for Nevada counselors to prepare them for advocating for counselor licensure legislation in the upcoming 2007 session of the state's legislature. The training was hosted by the Nevada Counseling Association, and was conducted with the assistance and participation of staff from the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). The training was held December 9th at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, and was attended by over 15 counselors from around the state. The evening prior to the training, Nevada State Senator Joe Heck spoke to counselors about the counselor licensure he has drafted and will champion in the legislature. Nevada is one of two states yet to adopt a counselor licensure law. ACA looks forward to working with Nevada counselors, with Senator Heck and other state legislators, and with our partners at AMHCA and NBCC to achieve passage of counselor licensure legislation.
~ Reliable Resource - Internet Site Provides Valuable King Celebration Information ~
Like many institutions and organizations, LaGuardia Community College focuses attention each year in January on the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In support of both classroom and campus-wide activities, LAGCC has created an evolving web site that builds upon previous MLK celebrations and adds new features each year. At http://www.lagcc.cuny.edu/ctl/mlk/curriculum.htm, ACAeNews readers will find valuable resources that can support similar activities, including a comprehensive MLK Web Resource List.
~ President Signs VA Bill Containing Counselor Provision ~
On December 22nd, President George W. Bush signed into law the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (S. 3421). As a result, the bill became Public Law 109-461. President Bush did not make any comment regarding the bill when he signed it. Of importance to counselors, the new law includes a provision explicitly recognizing licensed professional counselors as mental health specialists within the Veterans Health Administration, operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). ACA looks forward to working with the VA on regulations implementing the LPC provision. As the VA issues a proposed regulation and a comment period is announced, ACA will keep its members informed and let them know how to comment on the proposed regulation. For more information, contact Scott Barstow, ACA Director of Public Policy and Legislation, at 800-347-6647 x234, or by e-mail at sbarstow@counseling.org.
~ Call for Student Volunteers for Detroit Convention - Serve and Save ~
The opportunity for counseling students to participate in the ACA convention (March 21-25, 2007) in Detroit can be more affordable than they think. Students willing to invest 12 hours of volunteer service at the convention receive half off their registration fee. Returning volunteers will have their full fee waived as an expression of gratitude by the association. For information about volunteering, contact Janice MacDonald at Jmacdonald@counseling.org or 800/347-6647, Ext. 204. Sign up today for this incredible professional development and networking opportunity!
~ Fast Fact - Foundation Giving by State ~
It is a fact that many philanthropic organizations distribute a significant portion of their giving within the state where they are headquartered. In fact, many smaller organizations elect to help the people of their state exclusively or with a larger percentage of their projects and donations. The Foundation Center keeps track of this information and can help you identify the largest givers in your state. Go to: http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/statistics/states02_04.html.
~An ACA Role for You? - Committee Application/Nomination Deadline Nears ~
Interested in getting more involved in your professional association? Have a special knowledge or expertise you are willing to share? ACA President-Elect Brian Canfield is seeking nominations for ACA committee appointments for regular (three year term) and student representative (one year) for the period beginning July 1, 2007 for positions on the following committees:
- Awards
- Bylaws and Policies
- Cyber-Technology
- Ethics
- Human Rights
- International
- Inter-professional
- Professional Standards
- Public Awareness and Support
- Public Policy and Legislation
- Publications
- Research and Knowledge
- Strategic Planning
ACA members may nominate themselves or be nominated by other members. Nominations are due January 22, 2007, and must be sent to ACA headquarters, c/o Mary Janicke, 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304. Nomination packets are available from ACA. To receive a packet or for more information about the nominations process, call Mary at 1-800-347-6647, ext. 212 or e-mail her at MJanicke@counseling.org. Indicate whether your interest is as a regular or student member.
~ Events - North Carolina, California and District of Columbia Conferences Coming ~
January 30 - February 1, 2007
North Carolina Counseling Association Annual Conference
Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Center, Durham, NC
Information posted at: http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/booking/reservation?id=0610095006&key=749FF.
Contact Jacque Lang at: jlang@continentalpr.com
February 16 - 18, 2007
CaliforniaAssociation for Counseling and Development 40th Convention
Embassy Suites by The Bay, San Francisco Airport, Burlingame, CA
Contact: Janet Saunders, CACD Headquarters, 543 Visa Mar Avenue, Pacifica, CA 94044. Telephone: 650/359-6916.
Web site: http://www.cacd.org/conference.html
March 2, 2007
District of Columbia Counseling Association
Gallaudet University
Contact: Eric Lewis. Telephone: 202/724-4650 or Terry L. Satterfield. Telephone: 202/671-1959.
Calendar Alert: April 2007 is ACA Counseling Awareness Month. Watch ACAeNews in February for strategies and resources to celebrate the importance of counseling.
ACA divisions and branches are valuable sources of learning and professional development and ACAeNews readers will find relevant future meetings and conferences posted here regularly. Information of this nature will be posted approximately 8-10 weeks before the conference is held. This information is made available to ACAeNews via the ACA master calendar and the various organization web sites. Additions to that calendar should be directed to JMacdonald@counseling.org and fburtnett@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.
~ Tell a Professional Colleague about ACAeNews ~
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About ACAeNews
ACAeNews is published biweekly by the American Counseling Association for the benefit of members and the counseling profession. Any reference to a product, service or activity or listing of a web site 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 to meet space parameters.
Marie A. Wakefield, President
mawakefield@counseling.org
Richard Yep, Executive Director
ryep@counseling.org
Brandt Heatherington, Director of Marketing
bheatherington@counseling.org
Frank Burtnett, ACAeNews Editor
fburtnett@counseling.org
ACA Web site: www.counseling.org
© 2007, 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 source.