Elections are Underway!
Protect your Profession. Take Time to Vote!
Early Voting ends on Friday, 10/30/20
Every aspect of your work as professional counselors is impacted by public policy! Texas no longer allows straight party voting. You must vote in each race. Down ballot races are as, if not more, important that top of the ticket races. State legislative races, school board elections as well as city council and county races will determine mental health policies, roles of school counselors, reimbursement rates and so much more.
Check out the League of Women Voters nonpartisan voters guides to review your complete ballot before you hit the polls. Be sure to print and download as you can’t use your cell phone when you vote.
Make a plan to vote and when you do, share it with us on social media!
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TCA Elections are Open!
Choose Your TCA & Division Leadership Team
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Check out the amazing volunteers who want to lead TCA and its divisions – and then select those who best represent you! TCA and Division elections are open until 2 pm on Thursday, November 12, 2020. Candidate profiles are included for each ballot.
TCA is YOUR professional organization and your decision on who leads us will determine what our legislative priorities will be, what membership benefits we can provide and so much more. The online election system is quick and easy.
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Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19 |
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Protect Yourself & Others
Wash your hands often, avoid close contact with other people, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect, and be sure to monitor your health.
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Rules, Rules, Rules
Even in a pandemic, state agencies are moving forward with important rule change proposals. TCA has submitted comments on a number of key issues. Volume is really helpful, especially when we are challenging a proposed rule change. Thanks to everyone who responds to Calls to Actions.
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DSHS, Texas School Health Advisory Committee – proposed a change to the definition of who qualifies as the School Counselor Representative. See TCA's Comments.
- TEA, Commissioner Rules – proposed the structure for the Safe and Supportive School Programs mandated by SB 11 (86R). See TCA's Comments.
- House Appropriations Article III (Education) Subcommittee – requested comments on funding priorities. See TCA's Comments.
- SBEC – Comments on discussion of possible change to certification requirements for educators certified in another state with no education experience. See TCA's Comments.
- House Public Health Committee – requested comments on several bills. TCA submitted comments on HB 1501, including comments on the Governor's overreach on the review of Social Worker rules. See TCA's Comments
- TSBEPC – The revised rules are scheduled to go before BHEC for final adoption at its meeting on October 27th. TCA is advocating that if there is another delay, BHEC, at a minimum, adopt the rules changing LPC Intern to LPC Associate.
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Update on the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC)
Creation of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council is well underway. It is complex to transition four licensing boards housed at the Health and Human Services Committee plus one independent licensing agency into a single new state agency. Aligning administrative procedures is time consuming and bumpy. Challenges remain in rule adoption and time to process licenses and complaints. Legislation enacted last session to add the Governor’s office to the rule review process appears to contribute to the longer rule review and adoption process. BHEC is working to move all licensing processes online. Information on average times to process applications is available on the BHEC website. Unfortunately, this does not include timelines for applications that have been pulled for deficiencies. A special task force on license fees will begin work next month. TCA will be represented by our TSBEPC board liaison, Katherine Bacon. |
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Trump Administration Announces $20 Billion in New Phase 3 Provider Relief Funding
On October 1st, under the leadership of President Trump, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is announcing $20 billion in new funding for providers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. Under this Phase 3 General Distribution allocation, providers that have already received Provider Relief Fund payments will be invited to apply for additional funding that considers financial losses and changes in operating expenses caused by the coronavirus. Previously ineligible providers, such as those who began practicing in 2020 will also be invited to apply, and an expanded group of behavioral health providers confronting the emergence of increased mental health and substance use issues exacerbated by the pandemic will also be eligible for relief payments.
Providers can begin applying for funds on Monday, October 5, 2020.
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State Disaster Declarations Extended
Governor Greg Abbott extended the Disaster Declaration he issued in March through November 7, 2020. Disaster declarations must be renewed every 30 days. Any rules or statutes that impede the state’s ability to effectively respond and deliver needed services during a disaster are suspended. During a disaster, professional counselors licensed in other states may deliver services to clients located in Texas due to the pandemic without seeking licensure in Texas.
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Texas HHS Releases Behavioral Health Services FAQ
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) plans to provide guidance and support throughout this pandemic as the situation evolves. They have received a variety of inquiries from providers and are working to address concerns. HHSC Behavioral Health Services is maintaining a COVID-19 Provider Issues Management Log, and this FAQ document will serve as a platform to respond to provider questions. This document will be updated and posted weekly.
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School Counselor Resources |
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Nominate your Program for a CREST Award!
This is your chance to tell the world about all the amazing things you are doing to reinforce excellence in students in Texas! The deadline to apply is November 10, 2020.
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Health Education TEKS Rules: Submit Comments
Following a lengthy review process, the State Board of Education has posted proposed new health education rules. TSCA had the opportunity to work informally to ensure the standards align with the competencies set forth in the Texas Model and to encourage classroom teachers to work with school counselors especially on behavioral and mental health competencies. See more details. Submit comments by November, 13th, 2020.
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New List Service from TEA Now Available
The Educator Leadership and Quality Department has started a new listserv for distributions targeted directly to Educator Preparation Programs. TEA is sending a weekly EPP newsletter through that channel, with information and action items targeted to EPPs. The newsletter content is created for an audience that includes EPP leadership, faculty, and staff.
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The University of Texas at Austin Automatic Admission Policy
Senate Bill 175, passed by the 81st Texas Legislature, allows The University of Texas at Austin to limit automatic admission to 75 percent of the university’s enrollment capacity designated for first-time resident undergraduate students.
The University has determined that it will automatically admit all eligible summer/fall 2022 and spring 2023 freshman applicants who rank within the top six percent (6%) of their high school graduating classes, with remaining spaces to be filled through holistic review. This remains unchanged since the last school year.
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The Texas Evaluation Model for Professional School Cousnelors (TEMPSC), 3rd Edition |
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This evaluation instrument designed specifically for Texas school counselors, aligns with the four service delivery components established in the Texas Education Code, the Standards for School Counselors adopted by the State Board for Education Certification, and the 10 professional domains set forth in the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs. This resource is a must have for school counselors and those charged with evaluating their performance. Order yours today. |
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The Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs, 5th Edition |
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SPECIAL PRICE OF JUST $25 FOR TCA MEMBERS
Make sure your school counseling and counselor educator programs align with Texas law!
The Texas Model is now the standard in Texas (HB 18). Make sure your school counseling program aligns with best practices, SBEC standards, and Texas law! Ordering is quick and easy. Discounts available for bulk purchases.
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DISCLAIMER ABOUT PAID ADVERTISEMENTS: Any reference to a product, service, activity, or program in this electronic communication does not imply endorsement by the Texas Counseling Association. |
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