Last month, the American Counseling Association collaborated with three other national associations to present information to congressional staff on school-based mental health services. ACA joined the American School Counselor Association, the National Association of School Psychologists and the School Social Work Association of America in conjunction with the offices of Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass) and Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) to provide compelling information about the growing need that our nation’s students have for school-based mental health services.
Key staff members of the senators’ offices offered remarks, as did several professionals, including a professional school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker and a principal. In addition, the audience heard from a parent who provided firsthand information about a situation that involved her daughter. She stressed the outstanding services that her daughter had received from the school counselor and school social worker.
This first-ever event was a stunning success and demonstrated the growing importance of working together in professional coalitions.
Also last month, a meeting that included master’s level mental health care providers convened to explore issues of common concern to professional counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. This group meets quarterly to discuss issues at the state and national levels, and the common goal is to determine how best to help those in need.
From my perspective, it is high time that counseling professionals and others in the mental health arena come together to take an in-depth look at issues that affect the services being provided to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. We have an administration in Washington, D.C., that is proud of its cuts in nondiscretionary domestic spending (i.e., education, health care and human services). It seems to me that those of us involved in advocating for people who are seeking help with life’s challenges need to join forces now more than ever if we are to maintain, and hopefully increase, the amount of funding that is spent on those in need.
If you are a member of ACA, please consider joining our Government Relations listserv so that you can stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the public policy arena and, more importantly, find out when your voice is needed! You can join the network by sending an e-mail to publicpolicy@counseling.org. It’s that easy.
I also want you to know that ACA will continue its efforts to form coalitions with those whose missions are consistent with the association’s agenda. While we are here in large part to provide services so that our members can become even better at what they do for their clients and students, we also know that you want us to consistently advocate for the profession of counseling. Your renewal of membership in ACA each year will tell us if we are on the right track.
However, I encourage you to move beyond a “once-a-year” vote on the subject. You can do this by simply telling us whenever you identify a need that we should address. Send us an e-mail, call us toll free (800.347.6647) or even send a letter through the mail and let your voice be heard. If you are an ACA member, this is YOUR association. We can only do what you want if we know that you want it.
While there is a finite budget for services and programs, the more information we have on a particular subject, the better the decision-making process will be for your elected leaders and your professional staff here at ACA headquarters.
In a world where our voices sometimes seem to be drowned out by others, know that as a member of ACA, we want your voice to be heard, especially as we look at how best to provide services, resources and advocacy on behalf of the counseling profession.
As always, I hope you will contact me with any comments, questions or suggestions that you might have. Please contact me via e-mail at ryep@counseling.org or by phone at 800.347.6647 ext. 231.
Thanks and be well.