The link for 2020 Spring Graduates:
Life Lines June 2020
OUT OF MY MIND
by JAMES BLUNDO, MMHCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
 
Our lives have been greatly altered in 2020; between the Pandemic and the Black Lives Matter issues being addressed. These are the two greatest challenges of our lives. We are suffering from overload, confusion, and many are asking how to envision a life plan going forward.
Nothing will ever be the same except change. It is the only constant.

In this spirit, I will provide information where about where we have been recently and the way forward for Counselors in the state of Michigan.
Just after the COVID-19 quarantine started the hottest question was "Can I do Telehealth?" MMHCA worked closely with our lobbyist who kept us in the loop with the Governor’s office, LARA, MDHHS. We tried to fill you in on our website, Facebook, and Instagram with the latest information as it became available. Nothing was clear in the beginning. We answered many questions and referred counselors to many resources.

We helped to create a hotline for the state to help those in need of mental health counseling. The Governor’s office and MDHHS supported our idea and approved. As previously reported MMHCA then sent out a survey to create a list of counselors who would volunteer on hotline calls and referrals. Almost 500 responded. That list is now in the hands of several groups within Government and some private foundations. We hope many on the list will be contacted for both pro bono and Telehealth referrals.

Our PPL Committee has been working with our lobbyist to refine the Supervision rules through the Board of Counseling and LARA. This is well on its way.

MMHCA was asked by the Governor’s office to identify two counselors to appoint to the Board of Counseling. We have nominated to people with outstanding credentials and they were accepted. We will announce them after July 1, 2020 when they take office.

MMHCA meetings are held monthly by way of Zoom. Please contact me if you are interested in attending and getting involved with MMHCA!

We held our first online Human Trafficking webinar On May 22, 2020. We maxed out at 100 participants.
This went so well that we will be providing more webinars in the near future.
This is one great way to provide training! Let us know your ideas on types of webinars that would be helpful.

I was recently re- elected to the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) Board of Directors. I am on the AMHCA PPL Committee. My goal is to get Medicare Inclusion for counselors. We tried to get this included in the COVID 4 Recovery Act. It was not included in the US House vote. I am working with Senator Stabenow to include it in the Senate vote. At the moment it is stalled. We will keep trying to include it.

MMHCA continues to grow in numbers. The latest count is 1022 members.
Counselors are really recognizing the value of their membership.
We are developing Affinity discount Programs to give greater value to your membership.

MMHCA has launched a one-year free membership drive for 2020 Counseling Graduates as a gift for enduring through the Pandemic. This offer will expire September 1, 2020. This is the link for taking advantage of this offer:

We are developing counseling services to nurses on the frontline along with Trauma Recovery Associates (TRA). MMHCA wants to involve our members who have experience in trauma recovery and PTSD.

Finally, we all need to create a process on how to envision our lives going forward. Watch for surveys and other ideas being developed.

Follow us on Facebook, and please join or renew online at: www.mmhca.org
  Contact me at jamesblundo@att.net for further information.


James Blundo, LPC
MMHCA Executive Director
Next MMHCA Board Meeting 
MMHCA Members are invited to attend the next MMHCA Board meeting via Zoom on Friday, June 19th, at 9:30 am. Location is your home! Please contact Jim Blundo at jamesblundo@att.net if you are interested in attending .
To: All Occupational and Health Professional Licensees
Please Review Executive Orders 2020-114 and 2020-115
Dear Licensed Professional:

Please review Executive Orders 2020-114 and 2020-115 that were issued today as they may contain information directly impacting your profession.

Executive Order 2020-114  - Safeguards to protect Michigan’s workers from COVID-19 (outlines requirements for industries to follow to protect workers and clients).

Executive Order 2020-115  - Temporary restrictions on certain events, gatherings, and businesses (expands re-opening of personal care services).
 
Sincerely,


Bureau of Professional Licensing
Ms. Andrea Cascarilla
Ms. Andrea Cascarilla is Senior Legislative Director at Public Relations firm, Acuitas, LLC in Lansing. MMHCA hired Acuitas to represent LPC's and LLPC's in our state capital. Her work has been tantamount to our efforts to protect our license in the state. With Guidance from Acuitas, and much hard work by MMHCA's Public Policy Co-Chairs, Sara Schaeffer and Irene Ametrano, as well as Executive Director, Jim Blundo and President, Napoleon Harrington, progress is being made. Acuitas continues to represent LPC's and LLPC's in Lansing thanks to Michigan Mental Health Counseling Association. Please join us to help support this important work!
Joyce Dixon-Haskett, LMSW, ACSW, SAP
Joyce was the first of three women to get her degree from the University of Michigan while in prison. She is now a Clinical Social Worker/Therapist, LMSW, ACSW, SAP helping others work through their own trauma.When she was a child of seven she was molested by an adult with people in the next room.Joyce believes the damage created in that room made her a target for the John that would find her later. When the sale of her body started, no miraculous rescue took place. In the end, she killed her trafficker, and was arrested. Joyce was imprisoned for life. After 17 years and 120 days in prison she was released. Attend the MMHCA Human Trafficking Workshop to hear her story! 
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 24, 2020 Human Trafficking Online Workshop (Registration available soon)
Online Human Trafficking Workshop
Our presenter is Dr Jeremy Norwood who has produced over 52 workshops with 3000 attendees so far. Participants will receive a certificate. We will not be able to offer CEU's for this workshop.

July 24, 2020


Dr. Jeremy Norwood and Joyce Dixson-Haskett spoke at the MMHCA Human Trafficking Training on Febr. 21, 2020. 
MMHCA Human Trafficking Workshops meet the LARA requirements.
"When do I have to meet the requirements for the completion of training in identifying victims of human trafficking?"
Rule 338.3901a requires licensees to complete training in identifying victims of human trafficking. This training requirement will need to be completed prior to license renewal in 2021.
"What the Training is About?" In this workshop, Dr. Jeremy Norwood will provide professionals in the counseling, health care, and social work fields substantive training regarding the issue of human trafficking and how it relates to their areas of practice. In response to the rise in the number of cases of human trafficking which have been reported around the State of Michigan, the Michigan legislature has required all counseling professionals to receive training on the topic of human trafficking.
Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association|
What other organization represents you better and saved our counseling profession?
MMHCA has your back. Please have ours. We need your membership to continue efforts to strengthen our profession and progress to making a living wage. Our lobbyist continues to position us to have a direct impact on Michigan Public Policy.
Our strategic plan is only as strong as your membership.
There is no comparison. You receive all of this and more for $100 per year.