ACA-NY FREE Advocacy Preparation & Conference Day

Dear students,

As graduate students, we have heard several words frequently: legislation, scope of practice, excessive caseloads, and advocacy. In our classes, we are told about the need for: clarification regarding Mental Health Counselors’ qualifications to diagnose, school counselors to staff elementary schools, and more reasonable student/counselor caseloads. Additionally, we are told how important it is for us to advocate for our profession and future clients. Initially we believed that our individual actions would do little to impact or facilitate change. We doubted that we could make a difference or that anyone would listen to our voices as students. But we have since learned that we were wrong. As individuals, we make a big difference. As a group, we make an even bigger difference. If all counselors (of all specialty areas and experience levels) come together and advocate for the profession, things will change, legislators will listen.

On February 1, 2013, ACA-NY is holding a FREE Advocacy Preparation & Conference Day. The conference boasts several exciting workshops, including some focused on advocacy skill development. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the advocacy plans of NYSSCA and NYMHCA (a real bonus for those of us pursuing both mental health and school counseling credentials) and tour legislative buildings. Some sessions are focused on marketing yourself and your professional counselor identity. The keynote speaker, Marty Mack, New York State Executive Deputy Attorney General for Regional Affairs, will be speaking about the impact of existing laws on counselors. Specifically, he intends to cover the following areas: Kendra’s Law and gun control has on counselors, licensed mental health counseling and diagnosis, and prescription drug abuse. And of course, who can beat a free breakfast and lunch? The conference event is also a great way to begin networking with other counselors and counseling leaders across the state. Register for the conference event using the following link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FYFQNWJ. Register early; once the event reaches capacity registration will close.

In closing, ACA-NY's leadership can only do so much to promote our profession. Legislators listen to their constituents much more than leaders of organizations. All of our futures will be shaped by our collective willingness to advocate for our clients and our profession. We encourage you to join us in further developing our collective advocacy skills and to network with other counselors across the state. This Conference is our chance to learn how to create change, to promote our profession, and to take charge of our futures.

See you in Albany,
Cassandra Fleck, Co-Chair of ACA-NY Communications
Jessica Hess, Co-Chair of ACA-NY Communications