Critical Issues Facing the Counseling Profession www. counseling Critical Issues Facing the Counseling Profession www.counseling.org/kaplan

David Kaplan ACA Chief Professional Officer dkaplan@counseling David Kaplan ACA Chief Professional Officer dkaplan@counseling.org Scott MacConomy ACA State Legislative Representative smacconomy@counseling.org 2017 AASCB conference

Licensure

Initial Licensure

A movement toward CACREP Beginning in 2018- a degree from a CACREP accredited school is required to obtain a license in Ohio. Kentucky, New Hampshire, and North Carolina have also introduced CACREP requirements.

Delaware now requires the NCC for both initial and reciprocal licensure – a de facto CACREP requirement. The Virginia Board recently voted to approve a CACREP degree for licensure.

On the other hand….. New Jersey is proposing to remove the licensure requirement that a degree contains the word “counselor” or “counseling”.

ACA’s answer is to move forward together

Moving forward….. To unify the profession, ACA endorses graduation from a CACREP/CORE accredited program as the pathway to licensure.

Together….. ACA advocates that all counselors licensed by July, 2020 are qualified to have the same options and privileges as graduates from CACREP and CORE programs.

Licensure Reciprocity

Legislation

Federal Agenda TRICARE Department of Veterans Affairs Medicare

VA Goals The VA should add counselors to their training program under the Office of Academic Affiliations. This program is a proven pathway to a career in the VA. We are asking Senators to co-sponsor legislation which calls on the VA to include counselors in the training program. Asking Senators to expand ongoing Pilot Program at the VA that creates paid internships for licensed mental health counselors. Asking the VA to clarify the counselor job description.

A Win for PhDs The original language authorizing the VA to hire counselors did not specifically authorize the hiring of those with doctoral degrees, just those with master’s degrees. Legislation passed by Congress last month corrects this mistake so that PhDs can now be hired by the VA.

TRICARE Amendment Will allow LPCs who have a master’s degree in counseling and are licensed to become an independent practitioner until 2021. ACA advocated for it in order to ensure that more LPCs would be able to deliver mental health care. Now working with the Defense Department on implementation.

Medicare Legislation Bipartisan legislation to cover LPCs and MFTs under Medicare so they can be reimbursed. S. 1830 sponsored last Congress by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). H.R. 2759 sponsored by Congressmen Chris Gibson (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA). Would cover LPCs and MFTs at same reimbursement rates as clinical social workers (75% of MDs). Did not pass last year.

What the debate on Medicare coverage of counselors is about these days It’s not about policy. Both the House and Senate have passed the bill language twice in the past 10 years (Senate = 2003, 2005; House = 2007, 2009)

Medicare Goal Ask your Senators and Representatives to support legislation in the new Congress New Bill Numbers will be available soon on our website. This is bipartisan, low-cost legislation which has been passed twice by both the Senate and House, but has not yet become law. The new Congress has the potential to be more productive.

Licensure Board Consolidation Deregulatory Atmosphere Ohio and other states moving to reduce number of boards, increase number of occupations per board. ACA will oppose moves that reduce counseling’s representation on boards overseeing the profession.

State Initiatives Add Diagnosis to the definition of counseling in New York. Ensure that Ohio has a counselor on the board overseeing counselors. Work with state counseling groups on effective advocacy at the state level.

LGBTQ Issues ACA and Tennessee 2016 ACA and Tennessee 2017 Codes of Ethics

Glaucester School Board vs G.G. Supreme Court status Possible outcomes

Reparative Therapy Opposed efforts to allow this in several states. Will continue to address the issue as it come up this year.

Portability Work with licensing boards and state legislatures to increase portability among nearby states and among states with similar existing requirements.

How ACA can help you keep up with current national issues ACA Connect community.counseling.org Read Counseling Today Read CT online www.ct.counseling.org Read ACA e-News Subscribe to the ACA blogs www.my.counseling.org Subscribe to the ACA government affairs newsletter: dharp@counseling.org

Visit the ACA Facebook page Follow ACA on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/CounselingViews Subscribe to counseling listservs (cesnet, counsgrads, icn, etc.) Use Google alerts Ask David or Scott

Let’s schmooze!

Critical Issues Facing the Counseling Profession www. counseling Critical Issues Facing the Counseling Profession www.counseling.org/kaplan