April 2017
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Top Story: The Voices of Professional Counselors Ring Loud at the Capitol!
An array of bills reaching across the entire counseling profession are quickly and quietly making their way through the 85th Legislature.

More than ever, Texas State Representatives and Senators are recognizing the amazing work that YOU – Professional School Counselors, LPCs, Counselor Educators – deliver to your students and clients.  They are filing bills, accepting amendments and collaborating with TCA to support your work.

Recognizing that the first step to making change is having information resulted in SB 490 quickly moving through the Texas Senate and over to the Texas House. An innovative model for the regulation of mental health professionals that will create efficiency, ensure consistency and reduce timelines to licensure has support in both the House and Senate.

Your voice is the reason we are gaining so much traction this session.  Keep up the momentum and you will reap great rewards!  Answer the TCA Call to Action. Join us at Advocacy Day.
See You in Austin Next Week!
TCA Advocacy Days are your opportunity to build bridges with your colleagues and Texas legislators.

Join us for free breakfast and a comprehensive orientation before you head to your legislators office armed with all the information you need to make a difference!

Then, we'll meet for a free lunch, debrief and regroup.

If you haven't already, view the TCA Advocacy video and What It's Like video for more information.
Early Bird Registration is Open for PGC 2018!
Counselors Choosing Courage!

Save money by with early bird registration for TCA's 61st Annual Professional Growth Conference & Annual Meeting, November 15-18, 2017 in Galveston, TX.

We are meeting at the beautiful San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center and have more than 150 CE programs in the works. Come network, learn and visit with exhibitors; add in a walk on the beach and you'll return to work refreshed and revitalized!

The call for programs is open through April 15, 2017.
TCA Truax Founders Award
Nominations are now being accepted for the Dr. William E. Truax Founders Award.

This prestigious lifetime award recognizes the significant contributions of an individual TCA member who has demonstrated, over a long period of time, a global vision and significant impact on the counseling profession on a national, regional and/or statewide basis.

All nominations must be received by June 1.
Loan Repayment Program
The 84th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 239, which authorized a new student loan repayment assistance program for certain mental health professionals who provide services in federally designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (MHPSAs).

A total of $2.125 million was appropriated for the program for the FY2016-2017 state biennium. This amount is sufficient to allow for financial commitments to approximately 100 providers for two years of loan repayment.

The application deadline is Wednesday, May 31, 2017.
Heroes for Children Award
The State Board of Education (SBOE) is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Heroes for Children Award. This annual award recognizes public school volunteers who have been strong advocates for Texas schoolchildren.

Individual volunteers may be nominated for this recognition. However, educational employees, elected government officials and organizations are ineligible for the award.
Financial Scam Alert for Counselors
Be aware that counselors have been targeted by scammers!  

The scammers obtain email addresses from therapists' web sites and  email asking for therapy sessions while they are vacationing near the therapist’s office.

The scam involves sending a cashier’s check for more money than the sessions would cost, then asking for a refund of  some of the money.  The cashier’s check turns out to be counterfeit, and the therapist is out the money that he/she refunded.  
Virtual School Network

Do you have students that need credit restoration or courses not offered by your district?

Texas Education Agency has approved courses available to schools statewide through the Texas Virtual School Network Catalog.

Some rural school campuses are eligible for TXVSN grants:
Awards for Excellence in Texas School Health
The AFE in Texas School Health is an awards program led by the School Health Program of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

AFE gives schools and school districts cash prizes for school health projects that improve the lifelong physical, mental, and social well-being of students, staff, and the school community. 

Applications for the three types of awards are due by August 31, 2017. However, DSHS strongly recommends that potential applicants begin reviewing the new streamlined applications and general information documents as soon as possible.
Texas Counseling Association | 512-472-3403 | 512-472-3756 | [email protected] | txca.org