ACAeNews is a biweekly electronic newsletter of the American Counseling Association.
In this edition readers will find:
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~ ACA Ross Trust Scholarships – And the Winners Are... ~
The American Counseling Association is pleased to announce the fifteen Ross Trust student scholarship recipients for 2007. The five doctoral and ten master's level students were chosen from among 128 counselor education students nominated by faculty members at their institution.
Now in its third year, the Ross Trust Scholarship Program recognizes academic distinction along with a commitment to volunteer service and desire to work in the future in a K-12 educational environment. Each of the recipients is awarded a $1,000 scholarship, free ACA membership for one year and a complimentary registration to the ACA convention. The total value of each award is $1,375.
The recipients, their institution and nominators (in parenthesis) are:
Doctoral level
Shawn A. Bultsma, Western Michigan University (Suzanne Hedstrom)
Jennifer Curry, University of Florida (Glenn Lambie)
Kevin A. Curtin, George Washington University (Jorge Garcia)
Mariellen Kerr, Duquesne University, (William Casile)
April Schottelkorb, University of North Texas (Dee Ray)
Master's level
Lina Assad, George Washington University (Victoria Sardi)
Rita Helen Bucovaz, Georgia State University (Barry Chung)
Lisa DeMauro, Herbert H. Lehman College (Faith Deveaux)
Allisun Haight, Rollins College (Alicia Homrich)
Joshua Munz, Purdue University (Carrie Wachter)
Alesia J. Robinson, University of Missouri – KC (Lynn Leonard)
Shawn Robinson, DePaul University (Duncan Sylvester)
Jennifer Scott, Virginia Polytechnic & State University (Simone Lambert)
Sherry Shields, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Nadine L'Amoreauz)
Cynthia St. Pierre, Stetson University (Brigid Noonan)
Congratulations to the 2007 scholarship recipients. The nomination and application process for the 2008 awards will begin during the fall semester of this year. Watch www.counseling.org and ACAeNews for details.
~ New ACA Job Center Feature Allows Salary Comparison ~
If you've ever wondered how your salary compares to other counselors in your area, the ACA Job Center, powered by Career Builder, has a new tool that can help you with that determination. From the Career Center page http://www.counseling.org/CareerCenter/, select "ACA Job Center," then use your ACA log-in and password. In the lower, right-hand corner, you'll find the Salary Calculator. Add the requested information, and you'll find the range and median salaries for your geographic area.
According to Career Builder, these reports are "based on employee survey data, information collected from various employers and professional association compensation surveys, the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and partnerships with other compensation data providers. The methodology used to analyze this data is based on the best practices standards set by the industry.
~ US Department of Education Announces Priorities for NCLB Reauthorization ~
On the heels of the President Bush's January 23rd State of the Union Address calling on Congress to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act, the U.S. Department of Education has announced its priorities for renewing the 5-year old law. In a document entitled: "Building on Results: A Blueprint for Strengthening the No Child Left Behind Act," the Bush Administration lays out its policy proposals for reauthorizing theNo Child Left Behind Act, with a focus on increasing flexibility for schools, finding ways to improve chronically under-performing schools, and increasing the quality of high school education overall.
Among the least controversial items in the Department's blueprint are: giving states more flexibility to measure students' academic progress, improving the accuracy of reporting of high school graduation rates, and finding ways to get the best teachers into the neediest schools. The blueprint also includes proposals, such as offering private school vouchers, that will face serious opposition from the Democratic-controlled Congress.
For the full text of Building on Results, please follow this link: http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/nclb/buildingonresults.html. A fact sheet is available here: http://www.ed.gov/news/opeds/factsheets/index.html?src=gu
~ Members Pursue Client, Setting and/or Professional Interests via ACA ListServs ~
ACA's Interest Network has grown to eight active ListServs, Internet groupings of counselors interested in a particular client or professional focus and individuals willing to engage in a sharing of professional ideas and expertise regarding the ListServ focus. Readers may be curious as to which of the eighth active networks has the highest number of participants. (The answer follows the listing.)
- Children's Counseling Interest Network
- Network for Jewish Interests
- Multiracial/Multiethnic Counseling Concerns Interest Network
- Women's Interest Network
- Interest Network for Advances in Therapeutic Humor
- Traumatology Interest Network
- Sports Counseling Interest Network
- Historical Issues in Counseling
The ListServ with the highest participation currently is Sports Counseling. To join one of these ListServs, go to http://www.counseling.org/PressRoom/NewsReleases.aspx?AGuid=a2c3045c-8424-437f-a9f7-17573e9f1226
~ Detroit Convention Travel Tip - Use ACA-Designated Ground Carrier and Save ~
The American Counseling Association has selected Golden Limousine as the exclusive provider of airport-to-hotel transportation for the ACA 2007 Annual Convention in Detroit. Conference attendees will be transported from Detroit Metro Airport to their hotels aboard luxury shuttles.
The shuttle fare is $25 one-way and $40 round trip. Airport-to-hotel service will be available on March 22 and March 23 between the hours of 9AM and 8PM. Hotel-to- airport service will be available March 25 between the hours of 6AM and 3PM. Limousine service is available 24 hours a day at a special ACA rate. Make your reservation for ground transportation through the secure ACA web portal at http://goldenlimo.com/aca.html. Reservations can also be made by calling 800-300-5151.
~ Relevant Research – US Census Reports on State of Children ~
A new and informative report from the US Census Bureau, A Child's Day: Selected Indicators of Child Well-Being, gives readers a fresh look at the myriad social, economic and related issues affecting children. Topics include the effect of income and family structure on children's everyday life, early childcare experiences, readiness for school and many more. To access the full report, go to: http://www.census.gov/prod/2007pubs/p70-109.pdf.
~ ACA Book Series Debuts in Detroit - Authors and Their Books ~
ACA will be hosting a special event at the annual convention in Detroit, featuring panels from some of our most accomplished authors. The programs will be held in COBO Center, Room 65, March 23-21.
Session titles and presenters include: Best Practices in Ethical Decision Making: Strategies for Using the ACA Ethical Standards Casebook and Other Resources, presented by Barbara Herlihy and Gerald Corey; Developing & Managing Your School Guidance and Counseling Program: Successful Practices and Continuing Challenges, presented by Norman C. Gysbers and Patricia Henderson; Convincing Tough(er) Kids That Counseling Can be Cool, presented by Rita Sommers-Flanagan and John Sommers-Flanagan, Critical Incidents in Counseling Children, presented by Suzanne M. (Hobson) Dugger and Laurie A. Carlson; Multicultural Issues in Counseling: New Approaches to Diversity presented by Courtland C. Lee,Mastering the Art of Solution-Focused Counseling, presented by Jeffrey T. Guterman; Supervising the School Counselor Trainee, presented by Jeannine Studer; The Creative Arts in Counseling, presented by Samuel T. Gladding; Integrating Spirituality and Religion Into Counseling: A Guide to Competent Practice, presented by Craig S. Cashwell and J. Scott Young; Assessment of Client Core Issues, presented by Richard W. Halstead; and For New Counselors Only: Key Issues for Growth and Development, presented by Richard Hazler and Jeffrey Kottler. This is your opportunity to meet and converse with some of the most innovative researchers and authors in the counseling profession!
~ Fast Fact – Males Working In Schools Reach 40-Year Low ~
Statistics made available by the National Education Association and reported in the St. Petersburg Times, tell us that less than one in every four teachers in US public schools is male, a figure that has reached a 40-year low. Additional information about the male presence in the education careers can be found at: http://www.sptimes.com/2007/01/12/Northoftampa/The_few_The_proud_The.shtml.
~ Mental Health Access in Armed Services Comes Under Congressional Scrutiny ~
Hearings in Congress and before a Department of Defense task force are continuing to highlight the need for better access to mental health care for U.S. armed service members. Testimony from top medical officers with the Army and Navy before the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee indicated that mental health screening isn't consistent for troops returning from the war. A few days later, a field hearing of the Department of Defense Mental Health Task Force held in Tacoma, Washington heard from soldiers that the army must do more to help them address post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues resulting from their service. Speakers at the January 22-23 hearing told the task force that the Pentagon should increase the number of mental health counselors available to service members, and take steps to make sure that officers support the provision of needed mental health services to their troops.
The testimony comes as ACA begins working with the new Congress to pass legislation allowing licensed TRICARE mental health counselors to practice independently, without physician referral and supervision. Although legislation was enacted late last year to establish recognition of licensed professional counselors as mental health providers within the Veterans Affairs health care system, separate legislation is needed to remove the TRICARE referral and supervision requirement. TRICARE is the health care system covering active duty military personnel and their dependents.
~ Reliable Resource – Federal Financial Aid Processes Start Up Again ~
The beginning of the new year has individuals scrambling to get their personal tax situation in order, but the date also marks the time when students and families are looking anew at the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) and determining the degree to which they may be eligible for federal aid or the scholarships, grants and other aid forms that are triggered by eligibility determined by the FAFSA.
Counselors working with college bound students will find a wealth of information at the US Department of Education web site at http://www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov/. Students can find information and applications at http://www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov/. An alternative for everyone is the federal assistance hotline: 1-800-4-FED-AID
~ SAMSHA Locator Provides Job Search Tool for Mental Health Counselors ~
ACAeNews readers know SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), which is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Now SAMSHA has created a valuable job search resource for counselors and other mental health professionals which can be accessed from ACA's Job Center (check the left navigation bar) or go directly to the SAMSHA web site at http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov.
Once at the job locator site, all one needs to do is click on the map, and it takes you to a page entitled "Mental Health Services Locator," and provides a pop-up list of all U.S. States and Territories. When you select a state or territory, it takes you to a list of State Mental Health Resources for your selection: lists of mental health facilities, a directory of mental health services, state resource guide, suicide prevention programs…in short, a directory of agencies and private practices that provide mental health services. The list can be sorted by city.
Those seeking positions or relocation positions in mental health will find a wealth of information via this locator, a comprehensive list of mental health facilities that will compliment the other research you are able to do with organizations like The United Way, Chamber of Commerce and others. It's a good start for tapping into the mental health community of a specific geographic area.
~ Grants, Grants, Grants – Rewarding Efforts to Reduce Dropout Rates ~
Are you aware of any individual or organization that has made significant strides in addressing and reducing the dropout rate? The Pew Partnership Civic Change Awards will recognize persons and organizations that demonstrate a long-term commitment which through community collaboration toward keeping students in school. Maximum award - $2,500. Nomination deadline – March 31, 2007. For additional information, go to: http://www.pew-partnership.org/whatsnew.html
~ Events - District of Columbia, ACA, Maine and South Dakota Conferences Coming ~
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.
March 21-25, 2007
American Counseling Association Annual Convention
Detroit, Michigan
Information: http://www.counseling.org/Convention/
April 2-3, 2007
Maine Counseling Association
Samoset Resort, Rockport, Maine
Information: http://www.maineca.org/conference/index.php?c1=Conference
April 12-14, 2007
South Dakota Counseling Association
Sheraton Hotel, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Information: http://www.sdcounseling.org/reservation.asp
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.
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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 original source.