Who Speaks for You?Advocacy in Challenging Times

Jan FrieseExecutive Director

Texas Counseling Association

Federal ViewDepartment of Defense Adopts Tricare Rules

•Masters Degree or higher + NCMHE•CACREP: Masters Degree or higher + NCE or NCMHE•1/2015: CACREP + NCE or NCMHE, unless already certified with Masters + NCMHE

VA Lags in Hiring LPCs•Congress frustrated with lack of access•Other mental health professionals blocking LPCs•Contact US Representative & Senators if your VA is not hiring LPCs

Medicare•LPC as independent providers – stalled•House & Senate passed bills to include but never make it past conference

The State of Texas

• Lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of our public school finance system

• Experienced Legislators Moving On• No new money• New Rules: SBEPC, SBEMFT, SBEC

82nd Legislative Sessions• Severe cuts across most state agencies• Changes to education employment contracts • Talk of Mental Health and Behavioral

Intervention Programs in schools• Medicaid fees cut to align with Medicare rates• Funded 18 months of a 24-month biennium

What’s Ahead• Agencies directed to cut 10% in LARs for upcoming

biennium • New leadership: Commissioner of Education, Senate

Education, House Public Education, Senate Finance, House Corrections, Lt. Governor-?; Speaker-?

• Professional competition: social workers, behavioral specialists, psychological associates, marriage and family therapists

• Sunset review of TEA and the Coordinating Board• Uncertainty

Where Are We Now? • TCA members appointed to state boards:

– SBEC, SBEMFT, SBEPC

• TEA study on professional school counselors• Liaisons monitor meetings of SBEC, SBEMFT, SBEPC• Valued and active member of diverse coalitions• Opinions sought on major public policy decisions:

– Duty to report; Behavioral Health System; SBOE review; Sunset

• Policy makers do not know what professional counselors do or your credentials

Who Speaks for You

In Washington, DC?In Austin, Texas?In Your Office?In Your City?

In Your County?

Find Your Voice

Unless you take a seat at the table,you will NOT get to eat!

Promote Your Profession• Showcase the benefits of your work• Stir emotions with stories • Repeat your message at every meeting• Prepare your employers to support you• Encourage your clients to engage• Contact candidates and elected officials now

Influence Decisions

Engage early and often

Use the media

Provide data

Offer solutions

Follow-up

Support those who support you

Effective Advocates• Strong• Dedicated• Persistent• Passionate • Willing to Work Hard • Consensus Builders

Professional Counselors – YOU!!

Next Steps• Who represents or wants to represent you? • Write and visit – where do they stand? • Submit op ed pieces and letters to the editor• Volunteer in campaigns• Build coalitions• Be a consistent and reliable resource• Attend at least one Advocacy Day

What TCA Can Do • Host Three Advocacy Days Each Session • Testify at Committee Hearings • Promote Public Service Announcements• Comment on Proposed Rules • Provide Technical Support and Encouragement• Edit Your Opinion pieces and Letters• Alert You to Critical Events and Opportunities• Nothing without you

What will YOU do for YOU?

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead