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Call for Programs Now Open!
The call for programs for the 62nd Annual TCA Professional Growth Conference is open through April 13.
The conference will be held in Dallas, Texas, November 14-17, 2018.
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ACTION REQUESTED
Submit comments
by
April 11, 2018
in support of the recommendation to create the Behavioral Health Executive Council to house all four behavioral health regulatory agencies and to expand the composition of BHEC to include professional representation from each board as voting members.
Please reference
TCA talking points
but, as always, speak from your heart. Comments received by April 11 will be shared with the Sunset Commission in advance of the April 25 hearing.
TCA hopes to generate at least 200 comments. Please help. Please share this with your colleagues.
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SUNSET REVIEW OF TSBEPC
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, as well as the other behavioral health regulatory boards, is going through a review by the Sunset Commission (again).
The
Texas Sunset Commission Staff Report
was released on March 28, 2018. The
Sunset Commission
, which is composed of legislators and public members, will hold a public hearing on these boards on April 25-26, 2018 in Austin and will make their final recommendations to the Texas Legislature on May 23-24, 2018.
The report acknowledges that “. . .
the boards are acting in good faith and have made notable strides in addressing the previously identified problems. . . However, significant problems and challenges remain that cannot be resolved within the current structure
. . . " It goes on to say “. . .
the continued administrative attachment of the marriage and family therapy, professional counseling and social work boards to a large agency. . . is still not working. . . The dysfunction created by such a model places the livelihoods of licensees in jeopardy and puts the public at risk
.”
While TCA
supports
the recommendation to organize the regulatory boards for LPCs, LMFTs, SWs and psychologists within a new agency, the
Behavioral Health Executive Council
, we
disagree
with the staff’s recommendation for the
structure of BHEC
. Sunset staff recommends BHEC be comprised of one public member from each of the Boards with one professional member from each Board serving only in “ex officio” roles. Including a professional representative from each of the Boards will provide expertise and is more likely to enhance consistency in professional standards rather than interference across professions. BHEC would still be a public majority agency, since the Governor will appoint a non-professional to serve as its presiding officer.
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TIPS on working with the TSBEPC
We all know that TSBEPC isn’t operating as well as it should. It’s buried at the Health and Human Services Commission. It does not have a line item in the budget. It’s understaffed. And most importantly, its ineffectiveness makes it a challenge for LPCs and LPC-Interns to secure, renew or upgrade their licenses.
While it may not be the fault of the Board or staff, those of you who have applications, appeals or requests pending are still stuck. Based on our participation at every Board meeting and conversations with Board and staff, TCA has some
recommendations
that may help you navigate this system.
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TEA to host two public hearings on draft strategic plan for special education
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced today that it will host two public hearings to accept comments on its comprehensive draft strategic plan for special education.
- Thursday, April 12, at Education Service Center Region 1, 1900 West Schunior, in Edinburg.
- Monday, April 16, at Education Service Center Region 10, 400 East Spring Valley Road, in Richardson.
TEA’s draft strategic plan, regarding the support and delivery of special education services in our state’s public schools, reflects steps the agency is considering undertaking – beyond what is being required by the U.S. Department of Education, as outlined in a recent federal monitoring report.
Those unable to attend either public hearing can still submit electronic comments on the comprehensive draft strategic plan for special education. Comments can be submitted
by email. Electronic comments will be accepted through noon on Wednesday, April 18.
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From the TCA Wellness Committee: Alcohol Awareness Month
You may have heard how a glass of wine may be beneficial for your health. Having a drink or two after a hard day may feel like it’s helping you to unwind. So when is consuming alcohol no longer healthy?
The National Institutes of Health recommend staying within both of the following limits to remain low risk for developing an alcohol use disorder or alcohol-related health problems:
- On any single day, men should have no more than 4 drinks and women should have no more than 3 drinks.
- Per week, men should have no more than 14 drinks total and women should have no more than 7 drinks total.
In addition to comparing your drinking patterns to these recommendations, you might also reflect on how alcohol is affecting your health, lifestyle, and well being. Then think about the benefits of cutting down. Maybe you’ll have more energy, get better sleep, feel mentally sharper, or reduce your risk for cancer and heart disease.
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Training Video: Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is modern day slavery. Kevin Bales of Free the Slaves defines it as “a relationship in which one person is controlled by violence through violence, the threat of violence, or psychological coercion, has lost free will and free movement, is exploited economically, and paid nothing beyond subsistence.”
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Order Now!
The
Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs,
5th Edition
The 5th Edition of the
Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs
order form
is live!
With new organization, competencies, domains, strategies and tools, the 5th Edition of the
Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs
has been updated to reflect best practices and statutory requirements for school counseling programs.
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The graphic above is a paid advertisement.
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Online Learning
TCA Online Learning
is the easy affordable way for you to get continuing education, from the comfort of your home or office.
Recently added offerings include:
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Volunteers Drive Our Success!
Join one of TCA's committees and be a part of shaping the future of your profession.
Apply today to be appointed to one of TCA's committees. Meet new people, network with your colleagues, and grow your leadership skills.
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American Counseling Association 2018 Honorees
The ACA National Awards
program salutes outstanding achievements by member counselors with 23 awards. TCA is proud to have several award-winning members representing our state:
Ralph F. Berdie Memorial Research Award
Jennifer Gerlach
is a counselor educator at Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, where she serves as the school counseling coordinator.
Best Practices Award
Michael K. Schmit,
PhD, LPC is an assistant professor at the University of North Texas (UNT).
Dr. Judy Lewis Counselors for Social Justice Award
Dr. Randy J. Davis is
an assistant professor of counselor education at the University of Houston-Clear Lake.
Garry R. Walz Trailblazer Award
Dr. Robert Smith
is professor and chair of the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and coordinator of the Doctoral Program in Counselor Education.
2018 ACA Fellows
Barbara Herlihy
Dee Ray
Joshua Watson
Congratulations to all of the winners from Texas!
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2018
April 20-21: TSBEMFT Board Meeting, Austin
April 25: Sunset Commission Public Hearing, Austin
May 16-18: TSBEPC Board Meeting, Austin
May 18: SBEC Board Meeting, Austin
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The TCA Offices Have Moved!
Our new address is
1210 San Antonio,Suite 200, Austin, TX 78701. All other contact information remains the same.
We moved just down the street, so we are still in a great location, just a few blocks from the Texas Capitol.
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