WHAT HB1085 WOULD DO:

• Permit supervised therapists-in-training to be billed towards insurance, billed under the supervisor—so training clinics can bill commercial insurance.

• Set a statewide reimbursement floor for in-network mental health & SUD services, helping stabilize rates across commercial plans. (Some bill summaries currently describe this as ~141% of Medicare for common psychotherapy codes like 90837.)

• Reduce administrative burdens by limiting extra documentation/audits singled out for common psychotherapy codes (e.g., 90837).

• Allow same-day coverage for multiple clinically necessary mental-health services.

• Require insurers to complete contracting within 60 days for new in-network clinicians (and pay contracted rates from completed application until the contract’s effective date).

Why this matters for students and their future clients:

• More training sites can bill insurance, which expands in-network access for clients and helps students meet program hour requirements in a timely way.

• LPCs gain a clearer path to paneling, improving early-career employment and helping them reach the 1,680 direct client contact hours required for independent licensure without pushing clients to out-of-network care.

• Earlier, fairer reimbursement helps graduates shoulder supervision rates, student loans, and basic living costs in the two-year supervised period after graduation – and all the years after.

Timing: The bill is expected to be considered during the October veto sessions (currently scheduled for Oct 14–16 and Oct 28–30). 

HOW STUDENTS, ALUMNI, FACULTY, AND SUPERVISORS CAN GET INVOLVED: 

If you are interested, you can write a letter to your State Representative and State Senator. A short, self-authored email during this window can genuinely help. (See the attached student letter as an example). Or you can also contact your State Representative and State Senator and ask them to support HB1085 in the upcoming veto sessions. You can find their contact information HERE.

REGISTER FOR THE FALL 2025 COE FORUM

MEETING STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES: CLASSROOM, SCHOOL, POLICY INTERVENTIONS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 5:30 PM – 7 PM (CST)

Register here.

Recent research studies and reports have documented increased mental health concerns for our children and teens. Major administration and legislative cuts to school mental health funding, Medicaid, CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) portend a growing crisis.

The fall forum will discuss recent studies that indicate growing mental health issues for our students, look at multiple causes, and explain how recent administration and congressional actions will exacerbate the problem. What are teachers and school counselors observing? What is the way forward? What strategies, plans, and ideas for both classroom and school interventions can address these challenges?

The panel includes:

• Dr. Micere Keels, Associate Professor at the Department of Comparative Human Development at the University of Chicago, will be our keynote speaker. She is also the founding director of the Trauma Responsive Educational Practices Project (TREP Project) https://voices.uchicago.edu/coed/micere-keels/
• Michelle Hughes, Michelle Clark High School, Chicago. English teacher.
• Lissette Flores, Grissom Elementary School, Chicago. School counselor.
• Darrick Tovar-Murray, Moderator

This is an issue that will impact all our students, whether studying to be school counselors, teachers, or administrators. Please consider bringing your class if you teach on Tuesday evenings, and please encourage students in your courses to attend.

The forum is virtual, livestreamed on YouTube. Registration is required.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coe-fall-forum-meeting-students-mental-health-challenges-tickets-1681317890069?aff=oddtdtcreator

For some additional reading, see:

“Cuts to School Mental Health Funding and Threats to Medicaid/CHIP: A Growing Crisis for Children” by First Focus on Children.

“In Their Own Words: Young Voices on Mental Health and the Future” by Hopelab

“Chicago students feeling fear, frustration amid ICE raids and threats of National Guard deployment” by Chicago Sun-Times

For more information, contact Diane Horwitz, Coordinator, Education Issues Forums at dhorwit1@depaul.edu

As we begin the autumn quarter, we would like to congratulate one of our very own alumnus, Dr. Timothy Franklin, on successfully defending his dissertation yesterday! Dr. Franklin completed both the Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling programs and serves as an adjunct faculty member here at DePaul. Congratulations, Dr. Franklin!

Dr. Sean Newhart, an Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University, is conducting a research study alongside two master’s students, Julia Kokatakis and Saloni Karwa. They invite you to participate in the study examining the factors influencing well-being and persistence among counselors-in-training (HIRB00021323). Your participation will contribute to understanding of how program belonging impacts mental health, burnout, flourishing, and institutional commitment.

The survey is estimated to take between 10-15 minutes to complete. As a token of appreciation for your participation, they will be offering the chance to win one of 100 $5 Amazon gift cards or one of 150 $2 Amazon gift cards to the first 250 respondents.

Follow this link to the Survey:
Take the survey

This survey is confidential, and your participation is completely voluntary. You may choose to exit the survey at any time. Importantly, there will be no penalties for not participating or for not completing the survey. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Dr. Newhart directly at snewhar1@jhu.edu.

2025 Mental Health Impact Summit in Chicago

Please join us at the 2025 Mental Health Impact Summit hosted by Sista Afya Community Care and Erikson Institute on November 13-14 in Chicago and virtually.

This transformative summit is designed to empower mental health providers to lead through impactful policy and practice. Students will learn to leverage policy, enhance advocacy efforts, and implement data-informed best practices to bring about lasting change in their community.

Featured Keynote Speaker: Illinois State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, Chair of the Illinois Mental Health & Addiction Committee, will address advancing mental health access for underserved and historically disadvantaged communities.

Why Students Should Attend:

• Network with Illinois policymakers and mental health leaders
• Learn evidence-based advocacy strategies and community organizing
• Earn 10 CEUs (Social Workers & Counselors)
• Connect with potential mentors and employers

Perfect for students in: Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Public Policy, Counseling, and Community Development programs

Special Student Pricing:

• Regular student rate: $75
• With the promo code “student”, students can save $20.

This is an exceptional opportunity for students to bridge academic learning with professional practice while building valuable connections in the mental health field.

Register at:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mental-health-impact-summit-tickets-1497673304169?aff=oddtdtcreator

The College of Education Fall 2025 Student Teaching and Internships Scholarship application is open NOW through Sunday, September 28th.

This award is offered to College of Education students who are currently participating in their capstone clinical experience – student teaching, counseling internship, or another field-based capstone. Counseling interns may only receive this scholarship for one academic quarter of their internship.

You must be a COE student who is student teaching or actively working in your required internship during Fall 2025 in order to qualify.

The maximum award amount is $3,000 and the minimum is $350. Students will be awarded within that range.

Applications are open from 9/10-9/28. Apply online at: depaul.academicworks.com/opportunities/55160

BGF Children’s Therapy is still recruiting!

This therapy practice 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