& The South Carolina School Counselor Association
Leadership. Advocacy. Education.
If you'd like to join our Advocacy Committee or would like to bring an
Advocacy or Legislative topic to our attention, please contact us.
Advocacy
Advocacy Alerts!
1. COUNSELING COMPACT - **UPDATE 7/2024** South Carolina has officially ratified the Counseling Compact into law!
SC LLR has released an official statement on SC's entry to the Counseling Compact and assigned our state delegate to the Compact Commission. SC LLR's Statement can be found here: SCLLR.
Please direct all compact questions to the Compact Commission at Counseling Compact.
** SCCA is co-sponsoring a special training with SCCMHCA!!
November 15, 2024 | In-Persion & Virtual | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | West Columbia, SC
Understanding the Counseling Compact & Mastering Ethical Telehealth Practices
Registration & CE Information Here!
2. MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT - Counselors can begin their application to get paneled with Medicare NOW! Reimbursement begins January 01, 2024. All information needed here.
3. COUNSELOR STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT - **UPDATE 5/2024** The ACA is asking us to contact our Federal Congressmen to support S.462 which is a student loan repayment program for mental health professionals.
We have 9 Congressmen from SC at the Federal level:
Legislative Search Results | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
TAKE ACTION NOW: Take Action - Engage and Amplify Your Voice (counseling.org)
4. MEDICAID ADVOCACY - SCCA continues to advocate for SC Behavioral Health Medicaid Providers. SCCA met with SC DHHS Director of Behavioral Health on July 15, 2024 to continue conversations on behavioral health audits and barriers to adequate care for Medicaid clients.
Follow-up steps have been established and SCCA will continue meeting with SC DHHS as needed.
Resources, Events and Opportunities
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NIH has established a Maternal Health Research Centers of Excellence to address the high rate of maternal deaths and mental health conditions.
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The Biden-Harris Administration awarded more than $64 million in grants to fund mental health services and training across the U.S.
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In the wake of recent natural disasters, ACA has disaster relief resources available to those in need. Also, please consider becoming a disaster mental health volunteer with the American Red Cross. The Disaster Distress Hotline provides counseling services to those experiencing emotional distress related to a natural disaster.
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The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline will now expand to include American Sign Language. Read more about the expansion.
The South Carolina Coalition for Safer Schools
Advocacy Committee
The Advocacy Committee is responsible for monitoring, reviewing, and taking appropriate action in consultation with the President, regarding state legislation and regulations that affect counseling.
Federal legislation and regulation will also be monitored by the Advocacy Committee, with action as appropriate in concert with the American Counseling Association.
Resources