News Archive for 2021

The No Surprises Act aims to increase price transparency and reduce the likelihood that clients receive a “surprise” medical bill by requiring that providers inform clients of an expected charge for a service before the service is provided.

On September 9, the Biden administration announced a six-pronged, comprehensive national strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, entitled “Path out of the Pandemic.”

ACA would like to update counselors on the federal government’s support for the refugees settling in the United States.

This announcement is a part of the Biden administration’s larger push to increase the accessibility of mental and behavioral health care services for children.

Dr. Butler will begin serving as the American Counseling Association’s 70th president on July 1, 2021, after serving as ACA President-Elect for the last year.

These legislative efforts seek to substitute political mandates for the considered judgment of professional educators, hindering students’ ability to learn and engage in critical thinking across differences and disagreements.

ACA’s two-day “Virtual Hill Day” kicks off today with a comprehensive training on advocating for the counseling profession at the state and federal levels.

The American Counseling Association Foundation is seeking proposals from ACA members for grants of up to $500.

The American Counseling Association supports and advances the counseling profession through the promotion of human dignity and respect and the pursuit of justice, equity and inclusion for all.

The American Counseling Association and licensed professional counselors nationwide are celebrating the signing of Maryland House Bill 736 in support of the Counseling Compact, which will authorize counselors to practice across state lines once enacted.

The American Counseling Association and licensed professional counselors nationwide are celebrating the signing of Georgia House Bill 395 in support of the Counseling Compact, which will authorize counselors to practice across state lines once enacted.

ACA is built on a mission that promotes human dignity and diversity, respect, the attainment of a quality of life for all, empowerment, integrity, social justice advocacy, equity and inclusion.

The annual American Counseling Association Awards, created to recognize the best among the counseling profession’s students, counselors in practice and ACA members, acknowledge those who have made extraordinary contributions to the counseling profession.

The American Counseling Association Foundation provides grants twice a year to ACA members who are licensed professional counselors, counselor educators, or graduate students.

ACA stands with the many voters, voting rights organizations and lawyers, who have condemned legislation that imposes unconstitutional burdens on the right to vote.

Grassroots efforts by local professional counselors are lauded for the success. The Counseling Compact, which allows counseling practice across state lines, is in effect when ten states enact the legislation. Maryland is the second state to pass this legislation; Georgia was the first.

Grassroots efforts by local professional counselors are lauded for the success. The Counseling Compact, which allows counseling practice across state lines, is in effect when ten states enact the legislation.

Under current regulations, psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers and psychiatric nurses are currently recognized to offer covered mental health services under Medicare.

The American Counseling Association has a long history of speaking out against discrimination. Our advocacy for the profession and those served by our members must remain vigilant, especially in the face of murders such as these. Any type of hate, including that which is race-based, cannot be tolerated.

Included within the bill, the Biden Administration will provide nearly $2.5 billion in funding to states and territories to address the nation’s mental illness and addiction crisis.

Appointees will provide leadership to the VA by advising the Secretary and Congress on issues relating to Veterans health care, benefits and service to minority Veterans. This committee is also responsible for meeting directly with Veterans and officials within the VA to address these concerns.

ACA will partner with She Should Run for Advocacy Power Hour on Thursday, March 11 at 3pm EST to motivate ACA members to explore the possibility of public office by identifying and tackling the barriers to elected leadership.

Roadmap for Recovery Includes Focus on Early Intervention, Emergency Crisis Response, Leveling of Racial and Economic Inequalities in Health Care, Parity in Payment by Health Insurance Plans, Among Other Core Issues

The House Energy and Commerce Committee's legislative recommendations for budget reconciliation includes mental health provisions that may be of importance to the counseling community.

Dr. Kimberly N. Frazier has been elected President-Elect of the American Counseling Association (ACA) for 2021 – 2022.

The package includes nine bills that will address the racial health inequities exacerbated by the pandemic and targets relief for vulnerable and underserved communities.

This legislation would save nearly 4 million education jobs, spur economic growth in the midst of an economic crisis and help mitigate the impacts of students’ learning loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This bipartisan bill addresses mental health care gap for seniors by expanding the network of provider that can deliver mental and behavioral health services to Medicare beneficiaries.

SAMHSA announced that it will make over $57M available in grant funding opportunities and awards.

Behavioral Health is included in the proposal for the next iteration of COVID-19 relief.

During the 117th Congress, the Committee Democrats will use the pillars and policies presented in the framework to steer the Committee towards achieving health and economic equity.

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has extended the Public Health Emergency declaration an additional 90 days from January 21 through late April, ensuring key resources are available nationally for fighting the COVID-19 virus.

The American Counseling Association opposes violence. We strongly condemn the rhetoric from the president and others that led to this despicable event, knowing that it threatens to incite similar acts in the future.