In its continuing efforts to advance the counseling profession and promote respect for human dignity and development, the American Counseling Association recently received two pieces of good news. First, the U.S. Department of Labor has asked ACA to represent the counseling profession and play a collaborative role in revising the counseling career section of the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Second, in December, ACA was informed that it was being designated an official nongovernmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations.

“We really can’t rest on our laurels, but I do think it is significant that the important work of counselors in schools, communities and other institutions is something that public policymakers see as a critical component to meeting the needs of society,” says ACA Executive Director Richard Yep. “The fact that ACA is being recognized by international agencies, the federal government and state legislatures is indicative of the good work that professional counselors are doing in the community.”

The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook is a career guide published every two years by the government agency. The handbook describes hundreds of specific careers in detail, including day-to-day activities, responsibilities, educational requirements, salary numbers and a 10-year outlook for the occupation. “The Occupational Outlook Handbook is the major source for occupational information in the United States and is used extensively in high schools, colleges, career center libraries and other settings,” says ACA Chief Professional Officer David Kaplan. He has been assigned to collaborate with Colleen Teixeira, an economist in the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projects. “She has asked that ACA continue to consult with the Department of Labor on the OOH revision in such areas as definitions and updating work descriptions for professional counselors,” Kaplan says. In addition to updated career data, the revised edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook will feature a reorganized format to make it more user-friendly.

“ACA is telling me what things have changed in the past two years so I can make the proper adjustments,” Teixeira says. “Dr. Kaplan has been particularly helpful in trying to explain to me exactly what training is required, which is a little bit complicated.” The lack of a comprehensive resource on licensure and certification has made the revision somewhat difficult, she says, which is one of the reasons why collaborating with ACA has proved to be so beneficial.

This partnership is one more example that indicates the federal government continues to view ACA as the “official” representative of the counseling profession, Kaplan says.

The next edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook will be published in 2008. For more information, visit the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics website at www.bls.gov/oco/.

“Each time that ACA and our members are able to share information about the profession is one more step toward educating the public and other decision-makers about the good work that these dedicated people are doing every day,” Yep says. “By being able to contribute to the Bureau’s definition of counseling helps to ensure that those reading this information have the best possible description. I hope that more agencies at the federal, state and local level of government will call on us, but if they do not, we will do our best to make sure that they have the facts and data that are needed when describing the role of a professional counselor.”

Earning U.N. recognition

The United Nations selects partners for NGO status because these not-for-profit organizations are involved in U.N.-related work and because they have been deemed to have effective information programs in place. According to the U.N. website, “Through associated NGOs, (the U.N.) seeks to reach people around the world and help them better understand the work and aims of the United Nations.”

In sharing the good news of ACA earning NGO status with the United Nations, Yep noted that the effort took many years. “There were many hoops through which to jump, so I am especially appreciative of those leaders, past and present, as well as staff who helped to bring this effort to fruition,” he says.

“Representatives of independent citizen organizations are increasingly active in policymaking at the United Nations,” he went on to explain. “These organizations, known as 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 and women’s rights. Some NGOs may also address broader or related issues such as poverty, hunger and humanitarian aid.” ACA was granted NGO status with 27 other national and international organizations on Dec. 19, 2006.

“With this status granted by the U.N., ACA now has greater recognition in speaking out on the needs of counseling around the world, especially as it concerns actions taken by the U.N.,” Yep says. “The direction provided by ACA leadership and the work of the professional staff in finally achieving the United Nations recognition of ACA as an official nongovernmental organization is something that is in no way insignificant. Rather, this latest achievement helps to move our interest and our passion for professional counseling services to an international stage.”