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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

Opportunity to Participate in Research on Counselor Education and Labor Trafficking

We are sharing the following research opportunity on behalf of Jessa Crisp, MA, LPC, NCC, PhD Candidate at Denver Seminary, who is conducting a study approved by the Institutional Review Board at Denver Seminary (Approval #3227425093515).

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While our organization is not affiliated with or conducting this research, we believe the topic is important to the counseling profession and want to help spread the word.  If you meet the criteria and feel called to contribute, your insight could help strengthen counselor education and ultimately improve care for survivors of labor trafficking.

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Click here to see the Consent Letter

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About the Study

Title: “We Are Important Too”: Educational Experiences Counselors Have Had on Labor Trafficking
Primary Investigator: Jessa Crisp, MA, LPC, NCC
Chair: Elizabeth Harper, PhD, LPC (CO, GA), NCC

The study aims to explore the types of education and training counselors have—or have not—received related to labor trafficking. Despite labor trafficking impacting millions worldwide, many survivors remain unidentified or underserved due to lack of provider training. This study seeks to better understand those training gaps.

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What Participation Involves

  • Completing a 30-minute online structured questionnaire

  • Optional participation in a 30-minute Zoom member checking meeting (date TBD)

  • Reflecting on your professional experiences related to human trafficking education and training

Participant Thank-You Gifts
  • $10 (via Venmo or PayPal) after completing the questionnaire
  • Additional $10 for those who participate in the Zoom meeting

Interested in Participating?

Click below to access the official study information and screening questionnaire:

https://form.jotform.com/252576131425050

​Eligibility Requirements

  • Participants must:

  • Be 18 years or older and a U.S. resident

  • Be provisionally or fully licensed as a professional counselor in any U.S. state

  • Have graduated from a CACREP-accredited institution

  • Have completed at least one CE, class, seminar, or lecture on human trafficking

  • Not know the primary investigator, Jessa Crisp, directly or indirectly (e.g., friends, colleagues, former students/supervisees, or those who have heard her speak or follow her on social media)

Advocacy Alerts!

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FEDERAL UPDATES FROM THE ACA:

  • An Update on Conversion Therapy Case Before the Supreme Court here

  • Medicare Telehealth Flexibility expires 09/30/2025.

    • ACA working with MH Workforce Coalition to advocate for reimbursement increases from Medicare to LPCs and extend this flexibility.

  • Impact of the "Big Beautiful Bill" on Counselors and Clients

    • Work requirement added for Medicaid recipients, 80/hrs per month. There are exemptions for care-takers, students, volunteers and those with a disability. 

    • Concerns about additional paperwork required to monitor this requirement and creating additional barriers to coverage. 

    • Introduction of provider tax caps = less money to states for Medicaid. States will now have to evaluate how to cut or alter their Medicaid budgets which may result in lower reimbursements, less services covered, changes to requirements for Medicaid coverage, etc. 

    • Taxes on educational endowments

    • Limitations to student loan borrowing for graduate students

    • Student Loan changes 

    • Approximately 11 million individuals will lose Medicaid coverage 

    • Full outline here:  The Impact of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ on Counselors and Mental Health Care

 

STATE UPDATES:

  • October 29 - ACA Spotlight On States, Virtual Event, ACA Members Only, Registration Link 

  • Columbia has repealed the ban on conversion therapy to minors, link to news article here:  Columbia repeals ban on so-called conversion therapy, ensuring no loss of state aid • SC Daily Gazette

  • ACA's Hill Day is officially full! You can still advocate on this Hill Day virtually on October 29, 2025. More info at www.counseling.org/advocacy  

    • Advocacy Priorities on Hill Day will be:

      • Mental Health Parity / Reimbursement for Counselors 

      • Funding for Counselors (Workforce Growth)

      • Permanently Extending Telehealth Flexibilities, Current Flexibility Ends Sept 30.

  • Counseling Compact is expected to be fully operational by the end of September 2025. Stay updated at counselingcompact.gov and compactconnect.org. 

    • 38 States + Washington, DC Enacted

    • Slow downs in Pennsylvania and New Mexico 

    • Some concerns over practitioners providing services in other states that are legal in their home state (e.g., gender affirming care, abortion counseling, etc.); the compact cannot provide protections for these providers. All practitioners must follow the laws of states they are practicing in, regardless of home state legalities.

  • Insurance Parity Resources & Support:  Insurance Parity Resources - Government Affairs and Public Policy. 

  • AI Chat Bot Legislation --> Precedent has been set in Nevada Legislature, preventing mental health chat bots and "unlicensed individuals" from providing mental health care.

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WORKING WITH IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES AND UNDOCUMENTED INDIVIDUALS:

 

SPORTS COUNSELING:

The "Southeast Division of Sport & Performance Counseling" is up and running! Dr. David Schary has drafted the by-laws for this division which was approved by the SCCA Executive Board in spring 2025! Want to get some more information or join the SDSPC? Email us at southcarolinacounselingassoc@gmail.com!

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SCCA is also looking to become a credentialed provider through the SC Department of Ed for teacher renewal credits, we are looking to 1) host a virtual workshop in the summer, and 2) attend the SC Education + Business Summit (SCEBS) with a breakout session and exhibitor table. The deadline for the SCEBS is May 01, approval for this venture and funding will be up for discussion at the board meeting. 

Click here for Insurance and Claims Resources
The SC Advocacy In Action Committee is working hard with SC DHHS to advocate for providers and those receiving Medicaid services.

The South Carolina Coalition for Safer Schools

​​Download a copy of our priorities here!

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

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