Author: ytao17

Shape the Future of Counseling in Illinois: Attend Under the Dome “Day on the Hill” in 2026!

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Click here to check out original post by Illinois Counseling Association.

Shape the Future of Counseling in Illinois: Attend Under the Dome “Day on the Hill” in 2026!
The Illinois Counseling Association (ICA) in partnership with the Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA) invite professional counselors, graduate students, and counselor educators to Under the Dome “Day on the Hill” 2026. Day on the Hill offers an invaluable opportunity to gain insight into the legislative process, meet with state legislators, advocate for policies enhancing mental health services and school counseling programs, and raise awareness of the essential role counselors play in public health.
This event is open to ICA members, non-member counselors, graduate students, and counselor educators across the state.

Date: 3/25/2026

Location: Hoogland Center for the Arts
420 S 6th St.
Springfield, Illinois 62701
United States

Contact: Kristin Carlson
ica@ilcounseling.org
815-787-8787

Click here to register online. Online registration is available until: 3/25/2026
Registration Cost: FREE
What’s Included with my Registration?
Registration for this event includes complimentary breakfast, the basics of advocacy presentation, a digital take-home advocacy packet, networking, and the opportunity to meet with your state legislators in the capitol building.

*Please note that lunch is not included and will not be provided. Be sure to bring a lunch or make appropriate arrangements.
Tentative Schedule of Events
*This is the current tentative schedule of events. Times are subject to change.
8:30am – 9:00am               Arrive at the Hoogland Center, Check-In, enjoy coffee and small breakfast

9:00am – 10:00am             Advocacy and Legislation Presentation

10:15am – 10:30am           Walk to the Capitol Building

10:30am – 10:45am           Group Photo in front of the Capitol Building

11:00am – 2:00pm             Appointments with  legislators, observe legislative process, and pull legislators to the rail

2:30pm – End                    Reconvene at a local restaurant, networking

This Event is Hosted by:

Illinois Counseling Association

E: ICA@ilcounseling.org  

P: 815-787-8787

   Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association

E: myimhca@gmail.com

P: 815-787-0515

(TODAY) Courageous Conversations: Confronting Antisemitism – Janurary 21

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Join Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center TODAY at 6pm for an interactive workshop designed for participants from all backgrounds and levels of knowledge on the topic. The workshop engages participants in scenario-based problem-solving to recognize and respond to antisemitism in their communities.

What to expect:

  • Through videos, images, and discussions, participants will learn about the diversity of Jewish identities and the variety of forms antisemitism has taken, both historically and contemporary.
  • The workshop guides participants through self-reflective activities on identity and implicit/explicit bias, deconstructs antisemitic images that illustrate larger antisemitic tropes, and engages participants in scenario-based problem-solving to recognize and respond to antisemitism in their communities.

To register for this event, please use the following link: Courageous Conversations: Confronting Antisemitism

Dialogue with the Dean

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Dialogue with the Dean

We are hosting another “Dialogue with the Dean” student event in-person on January 20. This event is an opportunity for students to speak with the dean about anything that’s been on their minds, as well as sharing their thoughts with fellow students. This event is intended for COE students at all levels and in all programs. A virtual, Zoom option will be offered later in the quarter. Students should RSVP on DeHub prior to attending the event.

Date: Tuesday, January 20

Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm

Location: COE 270 (OASIS Lounge)

Students Can Register Here

Volunteer Opportunity with ACEing Autism in Chicago Lincoln Park/Lakeview

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ACEing Autism, a nationwide nonprofit organization on a mission for children with autism to grow, develop and benefit from social connections and fitness through affordable tennis programming, is looking for volunteers ages 13 and older for its local program in Chicago Lincoln Park/Lakeview.

Program Details
📍 Location: McFetridge Sports Center (3843 N California Ave, Chicago, IL)
📅 Dates: Saturdays, 1/10, 1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 3/14
⏰ Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Volunteers will see firsthand the impact they make on the participants and families of those they work with. They will form friendships and relationships with the athletes, other volunteers, and learn lifelong skills, including organization, management, and adaptability. Growth opportunities are also offered.

For those interested in volunteering, follow the steps below to sign up:

Step 1: Register and join ACEing Autism’s Chicago Lincoln Park/Lakeview user group → Register Here
Step 2: Sign up for the dates you’d like to volunteer → Select Dates

You can find more information about the local program here. You can also check out the linked flyer that contains a link to sign up for this location.

COE Winter Quarter 2026 Student Teaching & Internships Scholarship

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The College of Education Winter Quarter 2026 Student Teaching & Internships Scholarship is open now until January 18th.

Any counseling students who are currently doing their internship DURING Winter Quarter 2026 are eligible for this scholarship. Counseling interns are only eligible to be awarded during one quarter of their year-long internship – they will not be awarded more than once even if they apply more than once.

The maximum award amount is $3,000 depending on the number of students who apply and qualify. The minimum award is $350. Approved scholarship recipients will be awarded within this range. To be considered, you must submit your application by Sunday, January 18, 2026, 11:59 PM.

We will prioritize the awards based on demonstrated financial need. To be eligible for the award, students must have a current FAFSA completed with the Financial Aid Office.

Please see below a flyer with the information about the scholarship. Here is the link to the application and the description: https://depaul.academicworks.com/opportunities/55538

Share Your Student Loan Story

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Share how federal student loans have enabled you to pursue a degree in counseling! The Department of Education is considering lowering federal student loan borrowing limits for students, which could force some student towards expensive private lenders and discourage others from pursuing counseling altogether. ACA is collecting stories about the importance of these loans for enabling students to attend graduate programs and ultimately serve the community by becoming counselors.

Please share your federal student loan story. For instance,

  • How have these loans enabled you to pursue counseling?
  • How would these changes discourage students from joining the counseling field?
  • How could changing federal student loan limits harm access to counselors by shrinking the workforce?
For more information on how you can share your story and participate, check out the ACA Take Action page at: Take Action – Engage and Amplify Your Voice (counseling.org)

Internship Opportunity – Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital

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Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates has just opened their application process for the 26-27 year. They conduct their application/interview process on a rolling admissions approach which means that as soon as applications are received, they are reviewed and, if chosen, interviews are scheduled. The majority of their interviews take place from January through March. They will continue to accept applications until all 20 of our internship positions are full.

Please see the linked brochure and application for a detailed list of the clinical training opportunities offered.

In order to apply, students need to complete the one page application and email it along with two letters of recommendation, a resume, a cover letter and unofficial graduate school transcripts to Marie Duetsch at Marie.duetsch@ascension.org.

More information about Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital can be found here: https://healthcare.ascension.org/locations/illinois/ilchi/hoffman-estates-ascension-alexian-brothers-behavioral-health-hospital

CMHC Internship Opportunity – DePaul University Counseling & Psychological Services (UCAPS)

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DePaul University Counseling & Psychological Services (UCAPS) will be accepting applications for the 26-27 year starting in January. The application period for the 2026-2027 academic year will open on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 9:00 AM and closes on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Interested students can see the program flyer for specific details.

More information about DePaul University Counseling & Psychological Services (UCAPS) Training Program can be found here: https://offices.depaul.edu/student-affairs/support-services/counseling/Pages/ucaps-training.aspx

CMHC Internship Opportunity – Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago (CCCOC)

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Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago (CCCOC) is currently accepting applications for the 26-27 year. Interested students can reach out to Christine Collins at ccollins@chicagocounseling.org with a Cover Letter, CV or Resume, Transcript (unofficial is acceptable), and 1 or 2 letters of recommendation. See attached document for specific details, and please note that despite the dates written on the attachment that they do make adjustments for DePaul’s start and end dates.

More information about Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago (CCCOC) Clinical Training Program can be found here: https://chicagocounseling.org/clinical-training-program/