August 2018
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TCA Advocacy in Action!

In Washington DC and Austin, Texas, TCA is your voice!

Following visits by the TCA delegation in June, Congressman Will Hurd agreed to co-sponsor H.R. 3032 - The Mental Health Access Improvement Act . This important legislation would add LPCs and LMFTs to the roster of providers who can bill Medicare for their services.
 
Now is the time to contact your U.S. Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 3032 as well.  Contact Congressman Hurd and thank him for his leadership and support! Congress is in recess and your Representatives are at home in their districts. Call them!

Here in Austin, the impact of the invited testimony by TCA leadership resulted in the inclusion of strong recommendations in the report of the Select Commission on Violence in Schools and School Security . If you haven’t watched the outstanding testimony given by Kimberly Ridgely, Eli Zambrano, Cyndi Doyle and Sharon Bey, take a few minutes to check out the hearings .
We have a great opportunity to leverage the interest in school safety to promote your work and to increase the time you have to spend with students. Every member of the Legislature is interested in solutions for their districts. 

Find out who represents you.   Take advantage of them being at home to meet with them, invite them to your schools, and educate them on the impact comprehensive school counseling programs has on student safety and success. Then come to Austin for a TCA Advocacy Day to visit them again!
#TCAPGC18 Pre-Registration Book Now Available!
Pre-registration for the 62nd Annual TCA Professional Growth Conference is open!

#TCAPGC18 is our most inspiring Professional Growth Conference to date. You will find innovative programs, exhibitors, and other professional counselors to help you grow!

The conference will be held at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, November 14-17, 2018.



Deepen Your Heart in Texas
 
San Antonio is the site for the 14 th  Annual Professional School Counselor Conference, February 10-12, 2019 ! Headquartered at the amazing Henry B. González Convention Center with hotels along the Riverwalk, this professional development opportunity is not to be missed! 

Our outstanding keynote speakers, Houston Kraft and Brian Van Brunt , will bring your toolkit to a new level!
In addition to more than 100 program options, this year will include a Boot Camp for new Directors, public policy focus groups and, as always, the chance to bring your boss with you for free!

  • Early Bird Registration for TCA and TSCA members is open from 8/1/18-9/30/18.
  • Call for Programs is open from 9/10/2018-11/12/18.
  • Pre-Registration is open from 10/1/2018-1/25/19.
 
Save the dates – February 10-12! Schedule time off now! Join your colleagues for 3 days of learning, connecting, celebrating and deepening your heart!
CREST Award Nominations Open!
Nominate Your Campuses by November 1, 2018

The Texas School Counselor Association (TSCA) wants to recognize outstanding programs! TSCA is so excited to update CREST to a completely online submission. This new process will allow TSCA to better showcase the fantastic work of professional school counselors across Texas. We look forward to seeing the great programs you are implementing and sharing them with all Texas stakeholders! More information
TEA Rules: Principal Standards Action Requested by 9/4/2018
 
The Commissioner of Education is proposing changes to the Administrator Standards rules, specifically for Principals. 
 
This is your opportunity to review the Standards for Principals. Recommend changes to insure EVERY principal at EVERY school in Texas knows how important the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs is in keeping our schools safe and our students successful. 
 
Review the Commissioner's Proposed Rules and submit your comments by September 4, 2018. This is YOUR opportunity to share your Voice and your Vision of what knowledge principals need to support your work! 

TCA is preparing comments as well.  We need HUNDREDS of comments submitted to have an impact. Review TCA’s but please only use these as a reference. Create your own statement and speak from your heart!
Reset your habits during back to school season!

The TCA Wellness committee hopes you are enjoying your summer! As many of us prepare for back to school or return from vacations, this period of time can be a prime opportunity to assess and change some of your wellness habits. 

Habit expert and author Gretchin Rubin talks about using the strategy of the “Clean Slate” - the idea is that a big change in environment or routine can offer an ideal time to try out a new habit. With the new setting, it’s easier to break old patterns and try something new. We’re also a little over halfway through the year, so it’s a great time to think back on any goals you set for the year and reflect on whether you are on track or need some adjustments.
 
Some areas you might look at changing:
  • Sleep routine: Many kids will be changing bedtimes as school approaches - but what about you? Are you winding down early enough to let yourself get the recommended 7 - 9 hours of sleep?
  • Eating habits: Think about areas you might be able to improve on with your eating choices. Start small - maybe pack some fruit or veggies for snacking during the day so you will be less tempted by the vending machine.
  • Movement: Has your exercise routine slipped a little with summer traveling or the intense heat? Try setting appointments to exercise and put them on your calendar or find an exercise partner for some accountability. Pick a new parking spot that’s farther away or find other ways to add in more natural movement throughout your day.
DRAFT Substance Use Disorder Services Policy is available for comment
HHSC has updated its Medicaid Medical and Dental Policy web page by posting its DRAFT Substance Use Disorder Services Policy in development for comment. More information...
Win Sponsorship for Financial Aid Nights!

Are you planning to hold a financial aid event for your school in October? Tell us how Texas OnCourse supports you and enter to win Texas OnCourse sponsorship and support for your event!

Submit a one-minute video telling us how Texas OnCourse has worked for you. Give us an example of how you have used a Texas OnCourse resource with a student or a parent. (Need more guidance? We have helpful tips on our website ! ) The contest will be open until September 14.
The Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs, 5th Edition

With new organization, competencies, domains, strategies and tools, the 5th Edition of the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs has been updated to reflect best practices and statutory requirements for school counseling programs.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2018
August 1-September 30
Early-Bird Registration Open, 14th Annual Professional School Counselor Conference (TCA and TSCA members only)

August 20-September 18
TCA and Division Leadership Nominations Open

September 10
Call for Programs Open, 14th Annual Professional School Counselor Conference

October 1
Pre-Registration Open, 14th Annual Professional School Counselor Conference

October 26
Pre-Registration closes for 62 nd Annual TCA Professional Growth Conference

October 16 – November 15
TCA and Division Elections Open

November 14-17

December 1
Education Endowment Fund Grant Application Deadline


2019
February 10-12

March 19
TCA Advocacy Day

April 16
TCA Advocacy Day

November 13-16
63rd Annual TCA Professional Growth Conference, Fort Worth
TCA Texas Counseling Association | 512-472-3403 | 512-472-3756 | info@txca.org
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