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Federal Updates

Update on Conversion Therapy Case Before the Supreme Court

On March 9, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review Chiles v. Salazar to rule on the constitutionality of Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors. In August, ACA collaborated with the American Psychological Association, the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities and other key stakeholders to file an amicus brief in the case to urge the Supreme Court to uphold Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy and affirm the authority of states to protect the health, safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals by prohibiting this harmful practice. Learn more about efforts to uphold Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy.

988 Day & the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Thank you for joining us in celebrating 988 Day to raise awareness about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Thanks to you, 988 resources were shared over 1,000 times, and we sent over 250 letters to Congress in support of 988.

988 continues to offer free compassionate support for people in crisis 365 days a year — let’s continue to raise awareness and advocate for funding the Lifeline!

Medicare Providers – Counselors are Eligible!

Counselors can now apply to be a Medicare provider. Learn more.

State Updates

The Counseling Compact Is Now Live!

The Counseling Compact launched today, Tuesday, Sept. 30, with Arizona and Minnesota being the first of 38 states and Washington, D.C., prepared to start granting privileges to practice. Several additional states are expected to be online in the coming weeks and months.

Learn more about the application process.

Thank you for all your hard work to make this a reality!

Connect with Other Advocates at Advocacy Power Hour Advocacy Power Hour (APH) connects advocacy leaders and interested members with our team to discuss state policy updates, advocacy strategies at the state level and our national policy agenda. The next APH is Thursday, Oct. 16, at 3 p.m. ET. Register for the next APH.

Events

Advocates in Action Month

October is Advocates in Action Month! It’ll be a jam-packed month with lots of advocacy opportunities leading up to our two flagship events: Hill Day and Spotlight on States. Share your advocacy stories throughout the month with #CounselorsAdvocate.

Stay tuned for more details about Advocates in Action Month.

Hill Day Hill Day is approaching fast! Over 100 counselors will join us in Washington, D.C., Oct. 21-22, to advocate for mental health parity, counseling workforce development programs and grants, and telehealth. We look forward to showing why counselors are essential for healthy communities. Spotlight on States Hear from state legislators, ACA branches and ACA staff at our virtual Spotlight on States event on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m. ET, for an in-depth discussion on what happened during the most recent legislative session. Attendees will leave with practical tips and tools to prepare for next year. Register now.

Get Involved Are you ready to advocate for the counseling profession? Here are steps to kickstart your advocacy journey: Take action and send letters to legislators, share your story and learn how to contact your representatives. View our training videos on federal and state level advocacy. Request live advocacy training. Reach out to our team. Please note that trainings are an exclusive benefit for ACA members only.

ACA actively works on legislative and public policy issues that matter to our members. Priorities include Medicare reimbursement for counselors, the Counseling Compact and increased funding for mental health care.

American Counseling Association

2461 Eisenhower Ave.
Suite 300

Alexandria, VA 22314

(p) 800-298-2276 | (f) 800-473-2329