2013 TCA PUBLIC POLICY AGENDA

Public Policy Priorities

● Promote justice and dignity for ALL

● Promote timely access to behavioral mental health and educational services for ALL

● Represent ALL Professional Counselors in ALL work settings

● Promote student retention, persistence and success in ALL educational settings

● Support individual and family growth, recovery and development across the lifespan

2013 Legislative Agenda

• Maintain current regulatory structures for all Professional Counselors.

• Support funding for research on evidence-based solutions and effective outcomes that promote resiliency, retention and economic success.

• Expand access and increase funding for behavioral, mental health and educational services for underserved populations including those in juvenile and criminal justice systems, the medically underserved, the homeless, and the chronically mentally ill.

• Amend the Education Code to provide consistent references to School Counselors.

• Add educational and licensing standards for College Counselors to the Education Code.

• Allocate funding for public and higher education based on evidenced-based practices.

• Revise TRICARE, CHIP, Medicaid and Medicare rules and Veteran Administration policies to include Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) as independent providers at full reimbursement rates.

Professional Counselors and the Texas Counseling Association

Founded in 1947, the Texas Counseling Association represents more than 6,000 Professional Counselors who work in a variety of settings to empower individuals, families, students and groups to accomplish their mental health, education and career goals. Professional Counselors are required by Texas statutes to hold a master’s or doctoral degree, complete extensive hours of post-graduate supervision, pass rigorous licensing exams and pursue continuing education.

Professional Counselors provide services in private practice settings; at elementary and secondary schools; on college campuses; in criminal justice settings; at community mental health centers, hospitals, nursing homes and managed care facilities; and other settings across Texas.