Hate crime targets ACA member

56 Pages·2007·4.33 MB·English

by  Carlos Soto

8 Former members of the military face employment challenges 8 15
7 4 Letters
0 12 Bradford Keeney, John Gottman to keynote ACA Conference 5 From the President
0
2 15 ACA Conference attendees can take advantage of special tours 10 ACA Call to Action
R 16 Proposed merger between CORE, CACREP falls just short 11 Washington Update
E 18 President-elect candidates share their plans for leading ACA 21 Resource Reviews
B 29 Reader Viewpoint: Being invitational to Latino students 25 Student Focus
M
31 Your Counseling Career
40 C-AHEAD’s Empty Plate Project contributes to worthy causes
E 36 Behind the Book
V
O ACA 2008 Conference & Exposition 39 ACA Journal Spotlight
N Honolulu , Hawaii March 26 - 30 41 Private Practice in Counseling
Register before November 30 and save! 50 Classifieds
Counseling Today
AN AMERICAN COUNSELING ASSOCIATION PUBLICATION www.counseling.org
Hate crime targets ACA member
Madonna Constantine, noted multicultural scholar, thrust into national spotlight
BY ANGELA KENNEDY an ACA member, was told Education, was stunned and hatred action targeted at
about the noose by a colleague. outraged by the overtly racist African Americans. But her
On Oct. 9,a noose was found Sue,a professor of psychology act,according to Sue. Counsel- first reaction was how this was
hanging from the office door of and education in the universi- ing Todaywas unable to reach going to affect her students and
Madonna Constantine, an ty’s Department of Counseling Constantine for comment. Sue the rest of the campus. That’s
African American professor at and Clinical Psychology, noti- indicated that she had been typical of her to be concerned
Columbia University’s Teach- fied the authorities and imme- inundated with interview re- with other people.”
ers College and a member of diately called Constantine to quests from major news outlets New York City police were
the American Counseling Asso- inform her of the situation across the country in the days summoned to the campus and
ciation, again shining the na- before she arrived on campus. following the incident and was immediately began investigat-
tional spotlight on racism in the Constantine,also a professor currently taking a break from ing the incident,which they are
United States. of psychology and education, the media spotlight. treating as a hate crime. Short-
Early that morning,Constan- as well as director of the Teach- “She was affected powerfully ly thereafter,universityadmin-
tine’s coworker and research ers College Cultural Winter by seeing (the noose),” Sue istrators sent an e-mail blast to
partner Derald Wing Sue,also Roundtable on Psychology and said. “No doubt it was racial Continued on page 49
True or false: No Child Left Behind is working
Counselors speak out on the pros and cons of high-stakes testing
BY ANGELA KENNEDY Left Behind debate, as many George W. Bush on Jan. 8, counselors, have criticized Congress looks to “reautho-
school officials have questioned 2002,the No Child Left Behind NCLB’s stringent accountabil- rize”— extend or revise — the
Mark Twain once said, “I whether this legislation actually Act significantly changed feder- ity and strict testing require- federal statute,school counsel-
have never let my schooling interferes with providing school al education policy for grades ments,claiming its implemen- ing professionals weigh in on
interfere with my education.” students a well-rounded and kindergarten through 12. No- tation is too costly,narrows the what’s working and what
That very sentiment can easi- quality curriculum. tably, it requires standardized curriculum and does not take needs to change to ensure that,
testing for all students in Eng- into consideration the unique in fact,no child is left behind.
ly be applied to the No Child Signed into law by President
lish and math every year in needs of every student. Propo-
PERIODICALS MAIL-NEWSPAPER HANDLING grades 3 through 8, as well as nents of education reform say Ted Martinez
once in high school. NCLB has the legislation has exposed the “(NCLB’s) overall objective
put pressure on U.S. primary achievement gap between mi- of trying to reach 100 percent
and secondary schools to im- nority and nonminority stu- proficiency in both reading
prove the academic perfor- dents, as well as performance and math by the year 2014 is
mance of all students,and many discrepancies between disad- not only unrealistic, but
school districts have certainly vantaged and affluent students. impossible to achieve. But I
progressed, but not without NCLB is the name given to think it’s typical of how politi-
many opponents raising an im- the most recent version of the cians think,as opposed to edu-
portant question:At what cost? Elementary and Secondary cation professionals,”says Ted
Large numbers of student Education Act of 1965,which
advocates, including school is due to expire this year. As Continued on page 26
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Student-to-counselor
ACA IN ACTION
ratios down slightly Free counseling helps Tech students
After compiling final numbers,it was determined that more
than 1,000 American Counseling Association and Virginia
The ratio of students to public schools during fall of the lowest student-to-counselor ra- Counselors Association members volunteered for an initiative to
school counselors in U.S. pub- 2005-2006 school year. tios (excluding Rhode Island, provide pro bono counseling to Virginia Tech students last sum-
lic elementary and secondary While the overall number of whose data could not be veri- mer, according to ACA Chief Professional Officer David
schools dropped slightly this students enrolled in grades fied) were Wyoming at 212:1, Kaplan. The Virginia Tech counselor education program initiat-
year. The American Counseling pre-K through 12 grew in size Louisiana at 221:1,Vermont at ed the effort with ACA because of concern that students still
Association’s Office of Public from the 2004-2005 school year, 224:1,New Hampshire at 249:1 coping with the aftermath of the mass shootings on their campus
Policy and Legislation has 21 states showed a decrease in and Hawaii at 272:1. on April 16 would not receive counseling while away from
updated its chart showing state student enrollment. The number ACA recommends a maxi- school for the summer,either because of financial concern or a
and national student-to-school of school counselors increased mum average student-to-coun- lack of awareness of where to go to obtain services.
counselor ratios based on in most states, with New York selor ratio of 250:1 to ensure After ACA issued a call to members to provide free counsel-
recently released information gaining more than 300 and Cali- that students have adequate ing services,1,016 counselors signed up to provide as many as
from the U.S. Department of fornia gaining almost 500. How- access to counselors’services. five free sessions to students who were away from campus for
Education’s National Center for ever,11 states showed a decrease Updated student-to-counselor the summer. Volunteers came from all 50 states,as well as Wash-
Education Statistics. The cur- in the number of school coun- ratio charts for public elemen- ington,D.C.,and Puerto Rico.
rent U.S. student-to-counselor selors,with Louisiana (362) and
ratio is 476:1, down from the Florida (358) having the greatest tary and secondary schools (in Over the summer,69 Virginia Tech students made use of the
previous year’s ratio of 479:1. losses. addition to a more complete ver- free counseling services,receiving a total of 206 counseling ses-
The state-by-state ratios are Those with the highest stu- sion of the chart shown below sions from 62 ACA and/or VCA members. Predictably,more
based on the total number of dent-to-counselor ratios: Cali- for U.S. schools overall) are students from Virginia (29) came forward for counseling ser-
students enrolled in public ele- fornia at 920:1, Minnesota at available on ACA’s website at vices than from any other state. Overall,however,students in 18
states, including California, Arizona, Louisiana, New York,
mentary and secondary schools 812:1,Arizona at 797:1,Wash- www.counseling.org/Public
Texas,Oklahoma and Wisconsin,received counseling as part of
and the total number of “guid- ington,D.C.,at 761:1 and Utah Policy/TP/ResourcesForSchool
the initiative.
ance counselors” employed in at 741:1. The five states with the Counselors/CT2.aspx. (cid:2)
Both ACA and the Virginia Tech counseling community
believe that these collaborative efforts have produced a model of
support that could help mitigate post-traumatic stress in future
U.S. Student-to-Counselor Ratios
disasters.
Maximum Recommended Ratio (250:1) ACA takes part in TOPOFF drill
Current U.S. Average (476:1) ACA once again represented the counseling profession in the
annual TOPOFF (Top Officials) drill on Oct. 16. TOPOFF is an
exercise held by the federal government that simulates a full-
State Student-to- State Student-to- scale terrorist attack and gives all involved agencies an opportu-
Counselor Ratio Counselor Ratio nity to practice a coordinated response. ACA participates in the
Alabama 409:1 Montana 331:1 disaster mental health aspect of the response as an American
Alaska 481:1 Nebraska 369:1 Red Cross PEER (Partner for Effective Emergency Response)
Arizona 797:1 Nevada 519:1 member. The exact location and nature of the simulated terrorist
Arkansas 329:1 New Hampshire 249:1 attack is not known until the exercise starts.
California 920:1 New Jersey 604:1 The simulation on Oct. 16 involved radiological devices being
Colorado 548:1 New Mexico 422:1 detonated in Guam, Portland, Ore., and Phoenix. ACA was
Connecticut 411:1 New York 410:1 asked to carry out a simulated call for all licensed professional
counselors who could respond to the emergency.
Delaware 429:1
North Carolina 388:1
District of Columbia 761:1 Ross Trust competition open to students
North Dakota 357:1
Florida 479:1
Ohio 479:1 The American Counseling Association is pleased to an-
Georgia 452:1
Oklahoma 400:1 nounce the fourth annual Ross Trust Scholarship competition,
Hawaii 272:1
Oregon 417:1 designed to reward excellence among counselor education stu-
Idaho 441:1
Pennsylvania 416:1 dents who have also engaged in volunteer service in schools
Illinois 666:1
**Rhode Island 60:1 and communities. Member counselor educators can nominate
Indiana 574:1
South Carolina 395:1 high-achieving student members who aspire to work in educa-
Iowa 414:1
South Dakota 382:1 tional environments.
Kansas 412:1
LMKoeauniintsueicaknya 234206197:::111 TTUeetxnahansessee 447744211:::111 ovleanvFleeui-lfey t seeoteaufnr d $ eAs1ncC,t2hsA5o a5l na)mr dsw ehfmiiilvplbe sbe deroso fhac wit$poa1 rr,aa0dnl0-edld0e vcieenoal n cesfhateur,rldeypne lnc2uet0ss 0.r a8Ne gtcoioosm tm1ria0npt alimiotminna egs(nt etptorar’trosay--l er 2007
Maryland 374:1 Vermont 224:1 fessors and students can visit www.counseling.organd access the mb
Massachusetts 454:1 Virginia 455:1 electronic nomination/application form at the “Student” web ve
Michigan 639:1 Washington 513:1 link. Instructions for navigating the nomination/application No
MMiinssniesssoiptapi 841824::11 WWeissct oVnisrigninia 445035::11 prFocoermsss a rme uasvta bilea bfliele odn etlheec twroenbisciatell.y and supporting materials day (cid:2)
Missouri 348:1 Wyoming 212:1 received at ACA by Nov. 16. A panel of ACA,American School To
Counselor Association and Association for Counselor Education ng
** ACA could not verify the validity of the data for Rhode Island and Supervision members will serve as judges for the competi- eli
Based on data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education tion. Questions about the Ross Trust Scholarship program ns
u
Statistics (2005-2006 data year). Produced by the American Counseling Association should be directed to Janice Macdonald at jmacdonald@ Co
Office of Public Policy and Legislation. counseling.org. (cid:2)
3
Letters
Counselors, clients want From reports on Democracy universal and providing debt
CounselingToday
to end the current war Now! and in The Guardian of and poverty relief in the United
and prevent future wars London,I have learned that the States and around the world. Volume 50/Number5
war on terror is really a war for Let’s shift the leadership in our
It was interesting to read
control of oil and strategic profession to preventing the Counseling Today Staff The American
American Counseling Associa-
political advantage in the Mid- surging cases of post-traumatic Counseling Association
tion President Brian S. Can- Publisher
dle East (i.e.,“U.S. interests”). stress disorder and traumatic
field’s column in the September Richard Yep President
issue of Counseling Today Scholars and international jour- brain injuries and the high rates 800.347.6647 ext. 231 Brian S. Canfield
titled “Counselors support the nalists state that the Taliban of divorce and broken relation- [email protected] 800.347.6647,ext. 232
have made a major resurgence ships in families with active- [email protected]
tsreoloopr sw.”hIo d odno’et sknn’to wsu apnpyo rcto uthne- ienv iAdfegnhcaen tihstaatn S. Tadhdeaym h aHveu scsleeianr dbuyt eyn dminemg btheer sw daur rsion gth awta crotiumne- ACassroolc iNaeteim Paunblisher PCroellseidene nRt-. ELloegcatn
troops. But most U.S. citizens 800.347.6647 ext. 288
and al-Qaeda had no contact selors don’t have to clean up. 800.347.6647
are against this war, and ACA [email protected]
prior to 9/11 and were at great These are the issues that mat- [email protected]
leaders need to help end it and Editor-in-Chief
prevent future wars. oUd.Sds. iwntiethrv eenatciho no athnedr .w Ianrsmteoand-, ttehre tow Uo.rSld. ,citiczoeunns,setlhoer sr esta nodf Jonathan Rollins ERxicehcaurtdi vYee pDirector
Dissent is patriotic and an gering brought al-Qaeda ele- clients, military and nonmili- 800.347.6647 ext. 339 800.347.6647 ext. 231
essential tool for ACA leaders ments into Iraq. The overly tary alike. President Canfield [email protected] [email protected]
to encourage in our profession. aggressive “pre-emptive strike” and ACA leaders, counselors Senior Staff Writer
Dissent is muffled in the mili- war policy has brought more and clients await your advocacy Angela Kennedy Counseling Today(ISSN 1078-
tary (can you say embedded terror and risk for current and and historical accuracy. 800.347.6647 ext. 320 8719) is the monthly newspaper
reporter?), but it is alive and future generations (including Stuart Chen-Hayes [email protected] of the American Counseling
well in the blogosphere,in the military personnel) due to inap- Associate Professor of Contributing Writers AAslesxoacniadtriioan,,V5A9 9292 3S0te4v–e3n3s0o0n; Ave.,
number of soldiers going ab- propriate uses of war on the Counselor Education Stacy Notaras Murphy Tel:[phone];
sent without leave and the part of the United States. Lehman College of the smurphy@pastoral Web:www.counseling.org
courage being shown by Gold The U.S. military, especially City University of New York counselingdc.com Subscriptions are available for
Star Families for Peace,Veter- the Army, is strained to the Bronx,N.Y.(cid:2) $125 for 12 issues by calling PP&F
ans Against the War and others breaking point. War profiteers Jim Paterson at 800.633.4931. Single copies are
who challenge this war’s inap- [email protected] available at $11 each by calling
have made a fortune (for exam-
propriate conception and ple, $9 billion in Iraq “recon- Letters Policy Advertising Representative A80C0A.4 2in2-.h2o6u4s8e. fulfillment at
implementation. In the codes of Kathy Maguire
struction”cash is missing with
ethics established by ACA,the no one being held accountable 317.873.1800 Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria,
National Board for Certified for mismanagement — yet). Counseling Todaywel- [email protected] Va.,and additional mailing offices.
Counselors and the American Private contracting firms can do comes letters to the editor. Graphic Designer Postmaster:Send address
School Counselor Association, whatever they want (there are Only letters from individ- Carlos J. Soto cShearvnigceess ,to5:99A9C SAt eMveenmsobne rA ve.,
there is no discussion about no Iraqi or U.S. rules governing uals will be published. 800.347.6647 ext. 377 Alexandria,VA 22304. All rights
neutrality. But our codes of the mercenary forces of compa- Individuals may write as [email protected] reserved,2007 by the American
ethics and competency docu- nies such as Blackwater al- often as they like, but CT Column Coordinators Counseling Association.
ments clearly specify our pro- legedly murdering Iraqi civil- Counseling Today will
fessional roles in promoting ians), and their contractors are print only one letter per WScaostth Binagrtsotonw Update ECoduintoserliianlg PToodliacyi easccepts unso-
cduivlteurrsaitly c aonmdp tehtee nicmyp,oardtvanoccea coyf, beqetutieprm penaitd thaannd phuabvlei clbye ttfeir- p3e6r5s-odna yp peer ritoodp.ic in each 8sb0a0r.3st4o7w.6@64co7u enxste. l2in3g4.org lPicleitaesde asretnicdl evsi aa ne-dm gauiel stto e cdti@torials.
doing no harm. nanced soldiers. What about counseling.orgor to Counseling
Let’s reflect on the words of National Guard members who Counseling Today will Finding Your Way Todayat 5999 Stevenson Ave.,
multicultural counseling expert signed up thinking they would publish letters anticipated Jeffrey A. Kottler Atylpeexda,nddoriuab,lVe-Asp 2a2c3e0d4 c-o3p3y0.0 S ausb-
and Columbia University pro- be called on to help out in their to be of interest to read- [email protected] missions will not be returned.
fessor Derald Wing Sue that states and now find themselves ers. Because of time and Dignity,Development For more information,e-mail
“Counseling is a sociopolitical drafted into what appears an space limitations, letters and Diversity [email protected] request a
act.” Our sister mental health endless overseas war? What cannot be acknowledged Michael D’Andrea copy of the writing guidelines.
profession, the American Psy- about the almost 4,000 U.S. or returned,and Counsel- [email protected]
Anti-Discrimination Policy
chological Association, has troops who have been killed and ing Today reserves the and There shall be no discrimination
seen multiple challenges and the more than 25,000 wounded? right to edit letters. Judy Daniels against any individual on the basis
resignations from members What about the upward of 1 [email protected] of ethnic group,race,religion,
appalled at its pro-torture million Iraqis killed,with 2 mil- Include your home and gender,sexual orientation,age
e-mail addresses for con- Student Focus and/or disability.
sretacnecnetl.y A rlethsotruicgthe dA tPhAa tm inevmoblveers- lpiloanc edto as4 remfuilgleioens? oAth merasj odriitsy- tact purposes. If you wish Rhaiczhlearr@d pHsauz.leedru Mission Statement
ment, they are the only health of the U.S. public resents the to have your e-mail The mission of the American Coun-
organization that continues to waste of lives and money our address listed with your Resource Reviews seling Association is to enhance the
support the use of torture. What government has caused in published letter, please Ruth Harper quality of life in society by promot-
[email protected] ing the development of professional
can you do,President Canfield, Afghanistan and Iraq. specifically note that in counselors,advancing the counsel-
to ensure that ACA bars coun- I’d like to see ACA leaders the body of your letter. ACA Journal Spotlight ing profession,and using the pro-
ber 2007 stcoeurlrotrurersne ?tf rHoamonwd icnafvunot lwuvreeem alelmn pti rloiwttaeirtchyt fcpoarcenvu des on tot nof uewtnuhdrea t th wiosau wrrs a pr— rno ofCewso sauionnnd- letOteprsin dioon nso etx nperceesssesadr iilny SsCxuodsuaanyn1s Xe@l iDgnmga yaCila.croeemr Corner ftdoeis gpsnriiootnym aaonntedd rpderisvapecertciscti tefy o.orf hcuomunasne ling
em members from the likelihood of selors for Peace! Let’s focus on reflect the views of ACA Amy Reece Connelly
v or the Counseling Today [email protected]
o being greater targets of torture stopping U.S. war profiteers
N staff. Send letters and
(cid:2) due to failed U.S. torture poli- and instead provide billions of Private Practice in Counseling
ay cies,including disregard for the dollars to challenge poverty, comments to: Robert J. Walsh and
Tod Geneva Conventions? What can which more than any other fac- Counseling Today Norman C. Dasenbrook
g you do as ACA president to tor is often at the root of “ter- Letters to the Editor [email protected]
n
eli help counselors learn accurate ror.” Let’s focus on reducing 5999 Stevenson Avenue Behind the Book
ns history about “the war on ter- our military expenditures and Alexandria,VA 22304 John Lough
u
o ror”? Please share your sources putting the money into fighting Fax:[phone] [email protected]
C
of information about the war global warming, strengthening E-mail:[email protected]
with Counseling Todayreaders. education, making health care
4
From the President
–BY BRIAN S. CANFIELD
California and the future
The field of counseling has of counselor licensure in Cali- somewhat Byzantine and often family therapist,” effectively Golden State for their tireless
experienced tremendous growth fornia. However, obstacles re- comes down to access, influ- changing the title of tens of efforts in spearheading this
in the past 30 years. Unlike psy- main,as several groups contin- ence,money and votes. thousands of mental health pro- important legislative effort. We
chology, whose founding as a ue to oppose counseling efforts California is fundamentally fessionals from “counselor” to also appreciate the many profes-
profession goes back almost in California. The rationale for different from other states. Our “therapist.”
sional groups that have either
150 years,counseling is a rela- opposing counselor licensure in nation’s most populous state, Compared with the approxi-
publicly supported or privately
tively young profession. In California is familiar language with more than 36 million resi- mately 100,000 licensed coun-
encouraged our efforts.
many respects,the origin of the to many — “counselors are in- dents,12 percent of all Ameri- selors throughout the country,
The mental health field in
counseling profession can be adequately trained,”“the scope cans live and work in Califor- there are about 50,000 licensed
traced back to the founding of of practice for counselors is too nia. If California were a nation marriage and family therapists general and the counseling
what is now the American broad,”“current groups are ade- unto itself, it would have the in the United States. However, profession in particular remain
Counseling Association. In quate for meeting community eighth largest economy in the well over half of these MFTs — works in progress. Rather than
1952,four groups came togeth- service needs, so there is no world, comparable to that of approximately 27,000 — live continuing to engage in costly
er in partnership to provide a need for an additional mental Italy. Social and political trends and work in California. In the and acrimonious “turf battles,”I
greater political and social voice health profession in California.” in California often spread to the past, many counselors who believe we can better shape our
for what would become the Of course, all of these asser- rest of the United States. Ironi- moved to California were com- professional futures by collabo-
counseling profession. From tions are false. Unfortunately, cally,one such trend that origi- pelled to seek the MFT license rating on issues of concern and
these four original divisions, truth is not always the central nated in California was profes- in order to engage in recognized building a consensus of under-
ACA has grown to include 19 consideration or the foundation sional licensure. professional practice, even
standing. To this end, I would
national divisions and 38 active for debate in the legislative In 1962,California established though their training and pro-
also like to call upon the leader-
state and international branches. process. licensure for “marriage, family fessional orientation remained
ship of those few remaining
The profession of counseling The reality is that opposition and child counselors.”This law essentially that of a profession-
groups that continue to oppose
is currently recognized and reg- to counselor licensure in Cali- preceded every other state in al counselor.
ulated in 49 states. California fornia comes down to, as it establishing both “counseling” Passage of an appropriate counseling licensure efforts in
remains the only holdout. An almost always does, a “turf and “marriage and family thera- counselor licensure bill in Cali- California to work with the
active group of professionals, issue.”While legislative efforts py”licensure. Some years back, fornia remains a top priority for ACA and its partners. As coun-
supported in part by ACA,con- are intended to enact laws for the MFCC law was amended to ACA, and we commend our selors,we are ready to listen and
tinues to work toward the goal the public good, the process is the title of “licensed marital and members and colleagues in the help move things forward.(cid:2)
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In Brief
Graduate students: Volunteer accepting registrations for the Fourth Ave.,Alexandria,VA 22304-3300. ing,such as problems with sleep,eat-
for ACA Conference in Hawaii Annual Case Study Competition on Nomination packets are also avail- ing, energy, concentration and self-
Oct. 15. The competition is open to able from ACA. To receive a packet or image.
For an opportunity to meet and
teams of students in counselor educa- for more information about the nomi- Overall, 7 percent of full-time
interact with leading counseling pro-
tion programs. Participants must be nations process, call Holly Clubb at workers faced depression in the past
fessionals, learn about cutting-edge
ACA members. 800.347.6647 ext. 212 or e-mail year, according to these combined
research and find information regard-
The registration deadline is noon on [email protected]. Be sure to 2004-2006 estimates. While rates of
ing future career choices, become a
Nov. 15, and teams will be able to indicate whether you are requesting depression were higher among the
part of the American Counseling
submit responses to the case studies an application as a regular committee unemployed and part-time workers,
Association’s graduate student volun-
from Nov. 1-Dec. 14. For more infor- member or as a student representative. 52.4 percent of the adults who report-
teer staff at the 2008 annual confer-
mation, visit the ACA website at The packets are also available on the ed past year depression were
ence in Honolulu (March 26-30).
www.counseling.org. ACA website at www.counseling. employed full time. Full-time workers
ACA is seeking 150 graduate stu-
org. make up more than half of the adult
dent volunteers willing to work a min-
population.
imum of 12 hours during the confer- Nominations being sought
“Depression exacts a high price
ence. In exchange for your commit- for variety of ACA committees Seven percent of full-time from workers and from their employ-
ment, ACA will reimburse you for American Counseling Association workers face depression ers, costing the U.S. workplace an
one-half of your registration fee. We President-Elect Colleen Logan is seek- Rates of depression among full-time estimated $36.6 billion per year in lost
are also pleased to offer graduate stu- ing nominations for ACA committee workers are highest in personal care productivity,”said SAMHSA Admin-
dents who have previously volun- appointments. She will be appointing and service jobs and food preparation istrator Terry Cline. “Employers,
teered in this program full reimburse- regular members to each committee to and serving occupations,according to workers and their family members
ment for their registration fee. serve a three-year term and a student a new report by the Substance Abuse need to know effective treatments for
For more information about this representative to each committee for a and Mental Health Services Adminis- depression are available. Depression
program, call Janice Macdonald at one-year term. tration. The report on workers ages 18 screening, outreach and enhanced
800.347.6647 ext. 204 or go to the Positions on the following commit- to 64, “Depression Among Adults treatment can improve productivity,
ACA website at www.counseling.org/ tees will be available beginning July 1, Employed Full Time,by Occupation- lower employer costs and improve the
conference. 2008: Awards, Branch Development, al Category,”said that 10.8 percent of quality of life for individuals and their
Bylaws and Policies, Cybertechnolo- personal care and service workers and families.”
gy,Ethics,Human Rights,Internation- 10.3 percent of food preparation and Among full-time workers ages 18 to
Deadline to register for student
al, Interprofessional, Professional serving workers experienced one or 64,women were more likely than men
ethics competition is Nov. 15 Standards,Public Awareness and Sup- more major depressive episodes in the to have faced depression. Young adult
Attention graduate students and port, Public Policy and Legislation, past year. In the National Survey on workers ages 18 to 25 had the highest
counselor educators: Win prizes and Publications, Research and Knowl- Drug Use and Health,the source for rates of depression among all adult
bring glory to your graduate program! edge,and Strategic Planning. this report,a major depressive episode age groups. Among this group, 8.9
Have your name seen by more than ACA members may nominate them- is defined as a period of two weeks or percent reported facing depression in
40,000 American Counseling Associ- selves or be nominated by other ACA longer during which there is the past year. Depression was reported
ation members! Sharpen your ethical members. Nominations are due Dec. depressed mood or loss of interest or by 7.6 percent of those ages 26 to 34;
decision-making skills! 1 and must be sent to ACA headquar- pleasure and at least four other symp-
The ACA Ethics Committee began ters,c/o Holly Clubb,5999 Stevenson toms that reflect a change in function- Continued on page 44
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Career counseling
professionals discuss
employment challenges
for former members of
the military
BY ANGELA KENNEDY ingrained in them to use those with corresponding civilian job
(military) acronyms,and it’s as titles and abilities. O*NET
Loadmaster
good as speaking a foreign lan- (http://online.onetcenter.org)
Aircraft Armament
guage to an employer,” says provides information on skills,
Systems Operator
Fenson, who believes the abilities, knowledge, work
Combat Controller
biggest challenge for most vet- activities and interests associat-
Microwave Systems
erans entering the workforce is ed with occupations.
Operator
to explain how their military “Most vets are time-oriented
Intelligence and Electronic
skills base can translate into people who can prioritize
Warfare Technician
civilian expertise. tasks,” Fenson says. “Many
Weather Observer
“It can be hard for them to have good,sound judgment and
convince the employer that they can make decisions under pres-
Military job titles are often
have the skills,but it’s just that sure. Those are people that can
confusing to civilian employers,
07 and many ex-service members their military job was called go on to be CEOs and CFOs of
0
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em man’s terms. Add an average of rect words to adequately de- will impact lots of people and,
ov 17 military acronyms to the scribe their former position,” to me,that says a lot.”
N
(cid:2) résumé, and most employers says Fenson,a former president But sometimes,veterans don’t
ay risk becoming completely lost. of the National Employment want their civilian career path to
Tod As the coordinator of business Counseling Association,a divi- match the track they were on in
g career services at the University sion of the American Counsel- the military. In those cases,Fen-
n
eli of Texas at Arlington,Bill Fen- ing Association. He adds that son discusses different career
ns son has guided many former the O*NET Occupational In- options and provides general
u
o members of the military in mak- formation Network can help information. “We work with
C
ing the transition to civilian life match military occupational assessment tools such as the
and higher education. “It is so classification codes and jargon Myers-Briggs and Harrison
8
InnerView to help them pinpoint too structured and regimented, with the war in Iraq. “Their the line to protect our free- by the U.S. Department of
what skills they have and what so veterans really have to relay perception (may be) that no one doms, and I thank all of them Labor. Unlike 30 years ago,he
jobs may be suitable.” He also their ability to be flexible and cares,when we do care and we for that.” says,the government now rec-
advises them about particular adaptable.” do appreciate them. But if they ognizes the need to provide
Giving veterans priority
skills needed to move into new Fenson says former service go through a rough time when lifetime career benefits beyond
career fields. members may have their own they return, then they assume Another professional who health care and tuition assis-
Once on their new career misconceptions,such as think- that is the status quo,”Fenson believes veterans should be tance to vets. By providing
path, Fenson suggests military ing that their opportunities to says. “I think vets have done a given first priority for employ- employment assistance and
veterans join professional asso- enter the civilian workforce great service and deserve ment is William Offutt,director counseling services, the
ciations and local chapters to will be curtailed because of employment preference over of HireVetsFirst, a transition
make acquaintances and net- general public dissatisfaction anyone. They put their life on assistance campaign launched Continued on page 23
work within their field. Partici-
pating in career-related activi-
ties,workshops and social func-
tions not only helps veterans
career-wise, he says, but also
assists them in assimilating into
civilian life.
Veterans sometimes find it
hard to integrate into the civil-
ian workforce, Fenson points
out. They may have trouble
adjusting to a less-structured
lifestyle and might miss the
guidance and mentoring that
were prevalent in the military.
“They are used to having com-
pletely structured schedules and
knowing exactly what to do
every moment,” Fenson says.
“Even though vets are able to
work independently, they are
conditioned to the structure —
for example,asking permission
to ‘leave task.’”
However,Fenson also advises
that just because people have
military experience listed on
their résumé doesn’t mean they
are going to be spotless employ-
ees. “A common misperception
among employersis that all for-
mer military members are going
to be great employees. Some-
times there is a reason they are
‘former military,’”he says,not-
ing that employers should verify
the individual’s discharge status
before making a job offer. Like-
wise,he reminds employers not
to stereotype all service mem-
bers if they have a bad hiring
experience. “They have to real-
ize that they didn’t hire the mil-
itary,they hired the individual,”
Fenson says.
Martha Russell,past president
of the National Career Develop-
ment Association,a division of
ACA, has worked with Air
Force Family Support Centers
and with the Air Force Transi-
7
tion Assistance Program. She 0
0
aegmrpeelosy weristh oFfetnesno nh athvaet ccievritlaiainn ber 2
m
misconceptions about those e
v
who have served in the Armed o
N
Forces. “It can be difficult for (cid:2)
civilian employers to under- ay
stand military careers,” she Tod
says. “As a career counselor, g
n
you have to help veterans eli
address the perceptions and ns
u
myths private employers may o
C
have. A lot of private industries
think of the military as being
9
ACA Call to Action
– BY SCOTT BARSTOW, CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL AND PETER ATLEE
New Education Bills Introduced
In August,members of Congress introduced several bills seeking to increase the federal investment in school counseling and related school-based mental health services and
supports. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) has introduced H.R. 3439,the Put School Counselors Where They’re Needed Act,to create a $12 million demonstration project to
fund additional secondary school counselors in troubled Title I schools to help reduce dropout rates. Rep. David Loebsack (D-Iowa) has introduced H.R. 3419,the Reducing
Barriers to Learning Act of 2007,which would establish an office of specialized instructional support services in the U.S. Department of Education,provide grants to state
educational agencies to reduce barriers to learning and clarify conflicting terminology,definitions and roles of pupil services personnel. The American Counseling Association
supports both of these bills and is working to gain their incorporation into legislation to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act.
Who to Contact Suggested Message ACAResource
Your Representative Chris Campbell
“I am calling to ask that the representative sign on as a cosponsor of two important education-related bills 800.347.6647 ext. 241
Capitol Switchboard for school counselors. The first,H.R. 3439,the Put School Counselors Where They’re Needed Act,would [email protected]
202.224.3121 create a $12 million demonstration project to support school counseling services in Title I schools to help
reduce dropout rates. The second,H.R. 3419,the Reducing Barriers to Learning Act of 2007,would estab- Internet briefing paper:
www.house.gov lish an office of specialized instructional support services in the U.S. Department of Education and provide www.counseling.org/publicpolicy
grants to state educational agencies to reduce barriers to learning. Thank you for your consideration.”
Capwiz “Contact Congress!”site:
http://capwiz.com/counseling
Medicare Coverage of Licensed Professional Counselors
Legislation is pending in both the Senate and the House of Representatives that would improve Medicare’s mental health benefit by establishing coverage of mental
health services provided by counselors. Because the House has recently approved legislative language establishing counselor coverage,we’re focusing our attention on
similar legislation in the Senate.
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and the late Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.) earlier this year introduced S. 921,the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act,
which would cover both licensed professional counselors’and marriage and family therapists’services under Medicare. Enactment of this legislation would significantly
increase access to mental health care for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The more cosponsors we can gain on S. 921,the better our chances of having its provi-
sions included in broader Medicare legislation taken up by the Senate.
Who to Contact Suggested Message ACAResource
Your Senators
Peter Atlee
“I am calling to ask that the senator sign on as a cosponsor of S. 921,an important bill to improve Medicare 800.347.6647 ext. 242
Capitol Switchboard coverage of mental health services. S. 921 would increase beneficiary access to mental health specialists by [email protected]
202.224.3121 establishing coverage of licensed professional mental health counselors. The Senate has approved similar lan-
guage twice already,in both 2003 and 2005. I’d like the senator to cosponsor S. 921 to help ensure that coun- Internet briefing paper:
www.senate.gov selor coverage is included in whatever Medicare legislation is passed by this Congress. Thank you for your www.counseling.org/publicpolicy
consideration.”
Capwiz “Contact Congress!”site:
http://capwiz.com/counseling
Parity of Insurance Coverage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment
The House of Representatives is soon expected to vote on legislation to require health plans to cover mental health and substance abuse treatments on the same terms and
conditions as other types of care. Health plans routinely use discriminatory copayment requirements and arbitrary limits on inpatient and outpatient coverage to restrict access
to mental health care. Although most states have enacted mental health parity laws,these laws vary from state to state and don’t apply to self-insured health plans. Separate
bills are pending in both the House and the Senate to establish strong federal parity protections.
Although the House Education and Labor Committee has approved the legislation — H.R. 1424,the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act,introduced
by Reps. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) and Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.) — two other committees need to endorse the legislation,and it then must be passed on the House floor. ACA
is joining a wide array of other mental health advocacy organizations in pushing for swift House approval of the parity legislation to increase its chances for enactment within
the next year.
Please call or write your representatives to ask them to vote forthe Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act when it comes before them and to vote against
amendments to weaken the bill.
7
0
0
er 2 Who to Contact Suggested Message ACAResource
mb Your Representative Scott Barstow
ve “I am calling to ask the representative to vote for H.R. 1424,the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addic- 800.347.6647 ext. 234
No Capitol Switchboard tion Equity Act. For far too long,mental health and substance abuse insurance coverage has been limited [email protected]
(cid:2) 202.224.3121 through the use of arbitrary and discriminatory copayment requirements and coverage limits. I’d like the rep-
ay resentative to vote forH.R. 1424 and to vote againstany amendments to weaken the bill’s requirements.” Internet briefing paper:
Tod www.house.gov www.counseling.org/publicpolicy
g
n
eli Capwiz “Contact Congress!”site:
ns http://capwiz.com/counseling
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