On behalf of Dr. Priscilla Rose Prasath, President of the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW), we are delighted to extend an invitation to faculty and students to be part of the ASGW 2026 Conference, taking place February 5–7, 2026, at the Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois.

ASGW conferences are known for their close-knit, welcoming community and unparalleled networking opportunities. This is a unique space where faculty, students, and practitioners connect, share ideas, and collaborate on advancing the field of group work.

We would be thrilled to see your program represented—not only in attendance but also through presentations that showcase the innovative and impactful group work happening at your institution. Submitting a proposal offers a meaningful way to:

• Strengthen professional identity for both faculty and students
• Share best practices and research with a national audience
• Build lasting professional relationships within the ASGW community

Proposal Submission Link: Submit Your Proposal Here

Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues and students in your program. If you have questions about the submission process or conference details, we are happy to assist. We also invite you to register and join us at the ASGW 2026 Conference to experience the engaging sessions, collaborative spirit, and warm community that make ASGW events so special.

We look forward to welcoming you and your students to Chicago for what promises to be an engaging, inspiring, and collaborative conference experience.

Warm regards,

Krissy Treviranus, PhD
Brenna Breshears, PhD
2026 Conference Committee Co-Chairs

A Virtual Interest Meeting for the ISCA 2025-2026 Graduate Student Committee

Please join us on Sunday, September 7 at 5:00pm for a virtual interest meeting about the ISCA 2025-2026 Graduate Student Committee!

Requirements:

• Be a current graduate student in one of Illinois’s 15 graduate-level school counseling programs.
• Have a desire to communicate and contribute to furthering connections and training between Illinois school counseling graduate students.
• Attend one 1-hour virtual meeting per month from September until May.
• Depending on the given projects and initiatives of various sub-committees and events taking place at various times in the school year, contribute 3-5 hours of additional work each month as needed by the committee.

The Illinois School Counseling Association (ISCA) is dedicated to advancing school counseling excellence in Illinois. Much of the work of ISCA is carried out through a variety of committees. As the future generation of school counselors, graduate students are a critical component of the association’s mission.

The Graduate Student Committee gathers graduate students from all over the state of Illinois (primarily virtually) and carries out projects that cover advocacy, professional development, social connections, and more! The commitments of membership are light: attendance at a monthly virtual meeting and participation in one project sub-committee (Education & Professional Development or Social & Professional Networking).

Our initial interest meeting will be held virtually on Sunday, September 7 at 5pm. To receive a meeting link (Google Meet), please fill out the RSVP form here.

Federal Update: Impact of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ on Counselors and Mental Health Care

On July 4, President Trump signed H.R. 1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” into law. The law cuts nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, and more than 11 million Americans are expected to lose access to healthcare by 2034.

It will take time to fully feel the impact of this law, as elements of it will be phased in over the next few years. However, these coverage cuts will be devastating to mental health care, especially given Medicaid’s disproportionate role in covering mental health care. Learn more about the legislation and how you can continue to advocate for mental health care access.

State Update: States Take Action to Stop Funding Cuts

Sixteen state attorneys general filed a federal lawsuit opposing the Department of Education’s cancellation of nearly $1 billion in school mental health funding. The lawsuit argues that the department unlawfully rescinded grants authorized under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, including funding to support counselor professional development and recruitment. Learn more about the lawsuit.

We are currently meeting with policymakers to advocate on your behalf and urge legislators to maintain funding and counselors’ access to these critical grant programs. Take action now and urge members of Congress to push for full restoration of and access to this funding.

More information regarding federal, state, and advocacy updates can be found at the following link:  CLICK HERE

BGF Children’s Therapy provides in-home and center-based behavior therapy for children diagnosed with Autism. They are seeking individuals to work one-on-one with the children we serve, starting in Fall 2025. Ideal candidates are working towards their Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field and have some experience working with children. They train their staff in behavior analytic principles and the skills necessary to work with children diagnosed with Autism. They have hired students from DePaul in the past and have been very happy with their work and dedication. Hourly rates range from $20 to $25, depending on experience.

If you are interested, please reach out to the Clinical Director, Nicole Cissell, at nicole@bgftherapy.com or at 312-806-7937

www.bgftherapy.com

Hello First Year School Counseling Students!

There will be a mandatory, in-person 2^nd Year Professional Practice Orientation on Saturday, October 4th from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm. This meeting is mandatory for all school counseling students completing Practicum in Spring of 2026 and Internship in Fall 2026 – Spring 2027. It is required even if you have already attended this meeting in the past because there are changes and updates on key information year to year. This meeting will take place in person on Lincoln Park Campus (location TBD). We will be discussing all things related to Practicum and Internship that you will encounter during your Professional Practice experience. Look for additional future communications on CSL News and via email and please plan accordingly.

Please reach out to Jay Lesenko at jlesenko@depaul.edu or Dr. Hamm at jhamm@depaul.edu if you have any questions.

Hello First Year CMHC Counseling Students!

There will be a mandatory, in-person 2^nd Year Professional Practice Orientation on Saturday, October 25^th from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm. This meeting is mandatory for all CMHC students completing Practicum and Internship in 2026-2027. It is required even if you have already attended this meeting in the past because there are changes and updates on key information year to year. This meeting will take place in person on Lincoln Park Campus (location TBD). We will be discussing all things related to Practicum and Internship that you will encounter during your Professional Practice experience in 2026 – 2027. Look for additional future communications on CSL News and via email and please plan accordingly.

Please reach out to Jay Lesenko at jlesenko@depaul.edu or Dr. Hamm at jhamm@depaul.edu if you have any questions.

Family Guidance Centers has an internship opening for the 25-26 year. Interested students can visit Current Employment Positions – Family Guidance Centers, Inc (atsondemand.com) for more details and to apply.

https://www.fgcinc.org/

The Josselyn Center Northbrook location currently has an internship opening for the 25-26 year. The Josselyn Center is prioritizing interns who can see themselves staying at Josselyn if offered employment after their internship. Interested students can view the link below and reach out to Thomas Tharayil at ttharayil@josselyn.org for more details.

https://www.josselyn.org/about-us/clinical-internship/

Mosaic Nature Therapy and Wellness in Homewood, IL currently has an internship opening for the 25-26 year. Interested students can reach out to Rosa King at rosievera2005@yahoo.com for more details.

https://www.mosaicnaturetherapy.com/