Master Training and State Level Advocacy

1. Master Training and State Level Advocacy Arpana G. Inman, Lehigh University Michael Mobley, Salem State University Martin Heesacker, University of Florida Arnold Spokane, Lehigh University Johanna Nilsson, University of Missouri, Kansas City Peggy Brady-Amoon, Seton Hall University Presented at the Mid-year Conference of the Council for Counseling Psychology Training Programs February 19-22, 2015 San Diego, CA

2. CACREP and Master’s Training: A Historical Context • Founded in 1981 through ACA but later an independent entity • 32% counseling programs accredited by CACREP; 11% are Mental Health Counseling Programs (2010) • Estimate current proportion of CACREP to non-CACREP (unaffiliated) master’s programs is 1/3 to ½ • Challenge: defining counseling program and counselor identity • 2002: NBCC focused on a much narrow definition of the profession

3. CACREP and NBCC • 2005: ACA and AASCB launched the 20/20 – A vision for the Future of Counseling. • Goal: to promote national license portability • Meeting between 31 delegates including CACREP and NBCC • Agreed upon (90%) • Principles for Unifying and Strengthening the Profession • Definition, title (“Licensed Professional Counselor”) and scope of practice • Not agreed upon • Educational standards despite CACREP’s push to make its accreditation the standard

4. Institute of Medicine Study (IOM) • 2008 Department of Defense requested the IOM study concerning independent practice for Licensed Mental Health Counselors • Despite lack of evidence re: difference in treatment outcome by type or amount of training, report in 2010 (National Academy of Science) • Graduation from CACREP- accredited programs in mental health or clinical mental health • State licensure at highest level offered at state level • Pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) • Well-defined scope of practice

5. CACREP Standards • 2009: Effective 2013, CACREP Standards restrict core faculty to individuals who hold a doctorate in counselor education and supervision or those who have had at least one year experience as a full time faculty member in a counselor preparation program prior to 2013 are grandfathered in. • TRICARE decision • Final rulings in 2014 amended to allow non-CACREP grads to be eligible for payment under TRICARE if under supervision

6. 2014 • ACES Board approved policy: state licensure boards adopt graduation from CACREP-accredited program as national standard • NBCC supports CACREP-only standard: • pays for 2 members from each state licensing board to go to an annual NBCC sponsored 2-day meeting every August. Carol Bobby has presented regularly at these meetings. • giving grants of up to $9,000 to 15 schools per year over the next several years to support programs applying for CACREP accreditation. As of January 2015, 59 schools have applied for grants. • starting in Jan 2022,the National Counselor Certification (NCC) would be open ONLY to graduates of CACREP programs (The NCC is not a requirement in any state).

7. Other Supports • AMHCA- supporting a CACREP-only agenda since 2012. • CORE- As of 2014, Council on Rehabilitation Education entered into an affiliation agreement with CACREP to provide joint accreditation to rehab counseling programs, seen as a victory for advocating for CACREP-only educational standards for state licensing boards.

8. Current State Licensure Issues • No state currently restricts licensure to CACREP graduates • State Licensure in three states enacted CACREP-only restrictions • OH law restricts counselor licensure in OH to graduates of OH CACREP accredited programs, effective 2018. Not apply to applicants from out of state programs. • KY regulatory change restricts counselor licensure in KY to graduates of CACREP-accredited programs, effective 2017 • LA regulatory changes restricts school counselor certification in LA to graduates of CACREP-accredited programs.

9. States under threat • VA – proposal passed by board, at the Governor’s level • NH – proposal passed by board, rejected by the joint legislative commission, returned to board. • Threats/rumors in other states ….so we all have to be vigilant! • Positive News: • In NJ, a grass-roots coalition successfully reversed the first attempt at CACREP-only regulations! We can do it too! • 2016 CACREP standards: by 2020, all programs should be 60 credits; core faculty identify with counseling profession (membership, publications)

10. CCPTP and Division 17 Collaborations • Summit 1 • Taskforces to address advocacy at different levels • Summit 2 • Initiatives • Alliance for Professional Counselors • Council for Master’s Counseling Training Programs (CMCTP) • Alternative Examination • Fundraising

11. American Association of State Counseling Boards (AASCB) • AASCB (http://www.aascb.org/aws/AASCB/pt/sp/home_page) • Who They Are • Why They Matter • What Their Views are on CACREP-Only • Other Groups Affiliated with AASCB—Their Views and Their Influence on AASCB • CACREP • NBCC • AMHCA, and AASCB relationship • CCPTP

12. American Association of State Counseling Boards (continued) • Next Steps with AASCB • Portability Committee • Key Organizations Must Affiliate with AASCB • Connect with Your State Board President and Chief Executive Officer • Run for State Board

13. New Board Certification and Examination • Alternative to NBCC and NCE---validated and defensible---exceeds NCE. • Will not exclude applicants based upon program accreditation • Based upon MPCAC Competencies • Fully online Examination---if pass objective then move to scenarios and essays---If pass move to asynchronous structured interview. • Sophisticated Psychometric techniques

15. What You will Respond To On The Survey Frequency and Importance of Job Tasks

16. Fundraising • The need for funds • Alliance for Professional Counselors • Legal advice • Lobbying at the state and federal level

17. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead

18. State Level Advocacy • What we can do • Prevention • Early intervention • Crisis intervention

19. At all stages: • Identify potential organizational/individual allies • Build community/coalitions • Marshal University resources • Government relations officers • Monitor your State licensing board/and Department of Education • Who, what, when, how • Invest your power!

20. Intervention • Marshal University & other resources • Government relations officers • Hire a lobbyist/attorney • Write letters/Show up/Testify! • Use your powers of persuasion • Engage/encourage others • Change your State licensing board/and Department of Education • Who, what, when, how

21. Success in NJ: Lessons learned • Stay vigilant • You can fight “city hall.” • Creating community & dialogues

22. Breakout Groups • Have members seated at table by region • Questions for each group to reflect on: • What are the issues pertaining to your states? • What do you currently need to address these issues • Next steps for advocacy • Local: at their institutions (accredited – CACREP/MCAC/ unaffiliated) • State Level: licensing boards, governors • Are you willing to make a commitment/pledge to a role as regional/national liaison?