ACAeNews is a biweekly electronic newsletter of the American Counseling Association.
In this edition readers will find:
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~ House Approves Major Student Aid Bill, Including Loan Forgiveness for Counselors – Next Stop Senate ~
On July 11, the U.S. House of Representatives passed sweeping legislation that would make some of the biggest changes in student-aid policy in a generation. The "College Cost Reduction Act of 2007" would provide the single largest increase in college aid since the GI bill, paid for by cutting excess subsidies paid by the federal government to lenders in the student loan industry. The bill, H.R. 2669, was passed by the House on July 11 by a vote of 273-149. House passage is the first step in the legislation's journey through the legislative process.
Importantly, the bill would add school counselors to a list of high-need professionals eligible for loan forgiveness under the Higher Education Act. School counselors working full-time in a disadvantaged school (i.e., Title I-eligible school) would be eligible to receive up to a maximum of $5,000 in loan forgiveness for an outstanding Federal Stafford Loan or Federal Direct Stafford Loan, on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the availability of appropriations. In addition, H.R. 2669 would provide loan forgiveness for eligible Federal Direct Loans borrowers who have been "public sector" employees for 10 years AND made 120 income contingent payments on their Direct Loans. The bill defines a "public sector" job as a full-time job in education (including early childhood education), and public health, among others.
Last month, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee approved its own version of higher education access legislation. While the Senate version does not include the loan forgiveness language for school counselors, it also would create loan forgiveness under the Federal Direct Loan Program for borrowers working in a "public sector job." Negotiations between the House and Senate are expected to take place this fall, to work out the many differences between their respective versions.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Currently, counselors cannot receive loan repayment as a result of the House vote. The House-passed language must also be approved by the Senate, signed into law by the president, outlined under regulations developed by the U.S. Department of Education, and funded by Congress before any money can be disbursed. ACA will be working to accomplish these goals, and will keep members informed on our progress.
~ Hawaii Conference & Exposition Update ~
The 2008 ACA Conference & Exposition (March 26-30) are fast approaching and ACAeNews is pleased to provide the following update of planning information to participants.
- Program and Activity Locations - Conference activities will occur at both the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa and the Hawaii Convention Center. ACA Division activities, ACA Committees, the Opening Party and First Timers Luncheon will be held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach & Resort. The Education Sessions (including Pre-Conference Learning Institutes), the Exhibit Hall, the Career Center, keynote presentations and registration will occur in the Hawaii Convention Center. ACA will provide shuttle buses to all ACA contracted hotels, as well as the Hawaii Convention Center.
- Registration - Participants still have time to take advance of the summer discounted registration rates now through August 31, 2007. The rate is currently $250 for professional/regular and $165 for students, new professionals and retirees. Visit the ACA web site at www.counseling.org/conference for more information.
- Lodging - The Holiday Inn - Waikiki is 85% sold out. All discounted rates advertised on the ACA web site are available on a first-come, first serve basis. Once a room block is sold out, the hotel has the right to charge a higher rate. Hotel rooms are going quickly, so please reserve your room as soon as possible.
- Travel - Information about travel services for ACA members and conference attendees will soon be available online. Watch www.counseling.org/conferencebeginning Friday, July 20, 2007 for discounted flight rates.
ACAeNews will provide periodic information on the 2008 ACA Conference & Exposition. Aloha and safe travels.
~ Fast Fact - Work for Moms Losing Appeal ~
In the span of the past decade, full-time work outside the home has lost some of its appeal to mothers. This trend, included in the latest Pew Social Trends report, holds both for mothers who have such jobs and those who don't. Just 21% of working mothers and 16% of at-home mothers now say working full-time would be their ideal situation. To review the full report, go to: http://pewresearch.org/pubs/536/working-women
~ Counseling Today Winner of Three APEX Awards ~
Counseling Today, the official newspaper of the American Counseling Association, received three APEX Awards (Awards for Publication Excellence) in Communications Concepts' 19th annual awards program. Competing with more than 5,000 entries, honors were bestowed on the following:
- Angela Kennedy of the CT staff earned an APEX in the news-writing category for her front-page article in the December 2006 issue, "Use of SAT Lands Maine in Hot Water." This is the third straight year that at least one of Angie's articles has been recognized as an "exceptional entry."
- Carlos Soto, ACA Graphic Designer took home honors in the "Magapaper & Newspaper Design & Layout" category for the March 2007 issue. He used a variety of creative design elements throughout that issue.
- Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Rollins was recognized in the feature-writing category for "Rural Realities," an article that looked at the challenges faced by private practitioners in rural areas. The article was part of our June 2006 theme issue on "Private Practice."
Counseling Today has received eight APEX Awards during the last three years.
~ Advocacy Matters - Mental Health National Anti-Stigma Campaign ~
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched the Mental Health National Anti-Stigma Campaign to encourage, educate, and inspire people between 18 and 25 to support their friends who are experiencing mental health problems. The prevalence of serious mental health conditions in this age group is almost double that of the general population, yet young people have the lowest rate of help-seeking behaviors. This group has a high potential to minimize future disability if social acceptance is broadened and they receive the right support and services early on.
Counselors engaged in the promotion of mental health awareness and developing individual and group support systems for their clients may find the information on the SAMSHA web site useful. Go to: http://www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/
~ ACA Speaks Out as Senate Prepares to Take Up Hate Crimes Legislation ~
Legislation to extend federal hate crimes protection to crimes in which the victim was targeted due to disability, sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity is likely to be considered in the Senate the week of July 16th. The legislation—S.1105, the "Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007"—would expand the federal government's authority to provide resources to local law enforcement authorities in responding to hate crimes. Similar legislation has already been approved by the Senate.
On Friday, July 13th, ACA Executive Director Richard Yep wrote to Senate offices urging their support for the hate crimes legislation. Yep noted that ACA's Code of Ethics prohibits discrimination against an individual on the basis of sexual orientation, disability, gender, or any other characteristic. Counselors are encouraged to ask their Senator to vote for S.1105.
~ Reliable Resource - Whole Child View Advanced by ASCD ~
The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) is calling on parents, educators, policymakers, and communities to join forces to ensure our children become productive, engaged citizens, proposing a broader definition of achievement and accountability that promotes the development of children who are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. To that end ASCD has developed a web site to advance this mission, including relevant reports, resource links and related materials. To learn more, go to http://www.wholechildeducation.org/
~ Got a Question about Ethical Practices or Standards? ~
Members who are addressing a critical ethical practice or standard concern should utilize the information posted on the ACA web site and the knowledge and experience of Larry Freeman, Director of Ethics and Professional Standards. Your first stop is the resource section at http://www.counseling.org/Resources/CodeOfEthics/TP/Home/CT2.aspx. Then if you need additional information or clarification, contact Larry at lfreeman@counseling.org or call him at 703/823-9800 ext. 314.
~ FYI - Middle America Leads Nation in Volunteering ~
A new report by the Corporation for National and Community Service has found that the cities with the highest levels of volunteering are largely focused in middle America---metropolitan areas like Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, Salt Like City UT, Austin, TX and Omaha, NE. CNCS also voiced concern about the failure of institutions, organizations and agencies to retain their volunteers. The study cited high home ownership rates and educational levels as positively influencing higher volunteer rates while long commuting times as having the opposite effect. To review the study summary, go to: http://www.nationalservice.org/pdf/VIA_CITIES/VIA_cities_summary.pdf
~ Popular Insurance Program Available to Members ~
Aon's Affinity Insurance Services is pleased to offer ACA/ACAIT members medical insurance benefits for both individuals and small groups (2 – 50 participants). Avoid the time-consuming and sometimes confusing process of looking for personal, family and staffing medical insurance by contacting Aon's Affinity. To learn about your options or to request a quote, visit them at www.affinityhealthinsurance.com or call 1-888-470-2121.
~ Worth Reading - Commentary on Children and Testing ~
The commentary of Lloyd Bond in the July edition of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's Carnegie Perspectives offer counselors dealing with the "My Child Doesn't Test Well" issue a fresh perspective on test performance as a valid measure of a person's competence and potential. Bond examines the causes of poor test performance in the context of otherwise successful schoolwork. To read the commentary, go to:http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/perspectives/sub.asp?key=245&subkey=2369
~ ACAF Trustee Meeting Looks to the Future ~
The American Counseling Association Foundation (ACAF) has a full agenda for its September 21, 2007 meeting including an examination of the mission, vision and values of ACAS, the formation of long range and strategic goals, the approval of a Manual of Gift Policies and Procedures and the development of a special foundation event for 2008.
The September meeting will also afford the trustees their first opportunity to work directly with newly appointed Director of Development Skip Hansen (shansen@counseling.org). Terri Lonowski, who recently assumed the ACAF chair role succeeding Jane Goodman, will preside.
~ Events - Counseling Conferences in New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska and Texas ~
The month of September will provide professional development opportunities for counselors in the following states:
September 9-13, 2007
Event: New Mexico Counseling Association Annual Conference
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Information: nmcalinda@yahoo.com
September 14-15, 2007
Event: Colorado Counseling Association Fall Conference
Location: Longmont, Colorado
Information: lavernejordan@denverseminary.edu
September 23-25, 2007
Event: Nebraska Counseling Association Annual Conference
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Information: kschink@inebraska.com
September 30 - October 1, 2007
Event: Texas Counseling Association Directors of Guidance Conference
Location: Austin, Texas
Information: Jennifer@txca.org
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. 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.
Brian Canfield, President
canfield@sandiego.edu
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 original source of the information.