ACAeNews Volume IX, Issue No. 26 (December 21, 2007)

Dec 22, 2007

Seasons greetings from ACA to all ACAeNews readers and may 2008 be a prosperous year for you and the entire community of professional counselors.

ACAeNews is a biweekly electronic newsletter of the American Counseling Association.

In this edition readers will find:

_______________________

~ US Department of Education Announces School Counseling Grants ~

The Department of Education (ED) announced in the December 13, 2007, Federal Register that it is accepting new grant applications for the 2008-09 school year for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP), even though Congress has yet to finalize appropriations for the Department of Education and most other federal agencies for FY 2008. The Department is inviting applications now to allow enough time to complete the grant process before the end of the current fiscal year, if Congress appropriates funds for this program.

Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, ED may make additional awards later in FY 2008 (school year 2008-09) and in FY 2009 (school year 2009-10) from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition. For the first time, the Department is accepting applications from secondary schools, subject to available federal funding. The ESSCP, the only federal program that provides competitive grants to school districts for new or additional counseling services, serves students in 97 school districts in 28 states and DC.

The ESSCP applications became available December 13, 2007 and must be submitted by January 28, 2008. Eligible applicants include local educational agencies. Under this notice applicants may propose projects that establish or expand counseling programs in elementary schools, secondary schools, or both. The estimated range of awards is expected to be $250,000-$400,000 with the estimated average award to be $350,000 (Maximum award is $400,000 in maximum three year period). ED estimates 50 awards will be made.

Details: Federal Register notice at: http://www.counseling.org/sub/FY2008_ESSCP_Federal_Register_Notice_1207E7-24183.pdfor go to http://www.ed.gov/programs/elseccounseling/applicant.html. Contact: Loretta McDaniel, US Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 3E214, Washington, DC 20202-6450. Telephone: 202/260-2661 Email: Loretta.McDaniel@ed.gov.

~ Relevant Findings - Poll Indicates Minority Students Seek Institutional Diversity ~

Diverse Online News reports in its December 10, 2008 edition that minority students believe racial diversity will be a significant factor in their deciding which college to attend. A poll, conducted this past summer by Widmeyer Communications Inc., suggests that eight in ten students of color (81%) will opt for institutions representing a wide range of racial and ethnic backgrounds. Details: http://diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/article_10381.shtml

~ ACA Release Examines "How Tos" and How "Not Tos" of Clinical Supervision ~

Readers engaged in and wanting to learn more about clinical supervision will find this new handbook especially inviting.

Critical Incidents in Clinical Supervision: Addictions, Community, and School Counseling. Edited by Lawrence E. Tyson, John R. Culbreth, and Judith Harrington

Sharpen your skills with this book that goes to the heart of what constitutes good practice. Experts in the field provide guidance on critical aspects of supervision through case incidents in which a supervisor or supervisee is facing an ethical, moral, legal, or clinical dilemma. Topics covered include: substance abuse recovery, counter-transference, parallel process, relapse, power differentials, managing conflict, sexuality issues, dual relationships, confidentiality, duty to warn, supervisee evaluation, technology use, cultural competence, supervision contracts, and counselor training. Helpful across all levels of experience?this is a perfect handbook for clinical supervisors, clinical directors, and supervisees, as well as an outstanding teaching tool for master's or doctoral level courses in supervision.

2008 | 280 pages | ISBN 978-1-55620-260-5
Order #78071
List Price: $45.95, ACA Member Price: $29.95
Order Online

~ Reliable Resource - Childhood Obesity Video Game Investigates Problem ~

With childhood obesity skyrocketing as a national health issue, Kaiser Permanente, the health insurer, has created a video game, "The Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detective," which is free online in English and Spanish at: http://members.kaiserpermanente.org/redirects/landingpages/afd/.

Using the popular video game technique and appealing to the inquisitive spirit of game players, the Amazing Food Detective enlists Junior Food Detectives to look at the habits and lifestyles of unhealthy kids and determine what each is doing wrong. Counselors dealing with childhood obesity may wish to check it out.

~ ACAF Student Conference Support Applications Due January 4, 2008 ~

The American Counseling Association Foundation (ACAF) will sponsor conference registration for 30 students (including registration fee, and ACA First-Timers' Orientation and Mentoring Luncheon ticket) at the ACA Annual Conference & Exposition in Honolulu, Hawaii, March 26-30, 2008. (Sponsorship does not include transportation or lodging.) Applicants must be a current ACA Student member, a current graduate student registered at a university or college in the field of counseling or a related course of study and must be attending the ACA Conference for the first time. Applications are due January 4, 2008. Details: http://www.acafoundation.org/documents/ACAFStudentGrantAD.pdf

~ December 31st Last Day to Make ACAF and Other Charitable Contributions ~

December 31st is the last day to make tax-deductible charitable contributions to the American Counseling Association Foundation (ACAF) and other deserving charities. The ACAF is engaged in a number of projects focused on improving and extending the work of counselors and counseling with the myriad clients we serve. To make a tax-deductible contribution to ACAF, one that can be deducted from your 2007 taxes subject to filing next April, go to: https://www.counseling.org/sub/acaf/index_secure.htm.

~ Grants, Grants, Grants - $$$ from RWJF and Disney/YSA ~

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is partnering with Changemakers to sponsor the competition "Young Men at Risk: Transforming the Power of a Generation." RWJF's mission is to improve the health and health care of all Americans. Applications must be submitted by January 23, 2008. After review leading entries will go the Changemakers community which will select three programs. Details: http://www.changemakers.net/en-us/node/1926/competition/guidelines

Known as the "Minnie Grants," the Walt Disney Company and Youth Service America have announced a program to support youth-led service projects. Grants of up to $500 support youth (ages 5-14) in planning and implementing service projects in their community. Educators, older youth (15-25), and youth-serving organizations are also eligible, if they engage younger youth (5-14) in planning and implementation of the project. A significant part of the service must take place on Global Youth Service Days (GYSD) 2008, April 25-27. Details: http://ysa.org/AwardsGrants/tabid/58/Default.aspx. Application deadline is January 21, 2008.

~ Conference Clipping # 1 - Time to Register for ACA Career Center in Honolulu ~

It's time! That is, it's time to register for the ACA Career Center at the 2008 ACA Conference & Exposition. This service has been a very popular feature of the conference, and it is available to all registered conference attendees at no additional cost. If you are planning to participate as either an employer or as a candidate, please let ACA know by March 1, 2008. Details:www.counseling.org/careercenter. Contact: Amy Connelly, Manager of Career Services at acacareers@counseling.org

~ Fast Fact - January 1st Marks the Beginning of the New FAFSA Season ~

Students seeking federal assistance to offset the spiraling costs associated with postsecondary education begin a new application cycle January 1, 2008. To learn more about the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (also used as the basis for other public, private and institutional support) and to apply go to: http://www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/cotw/main.jsp

~ Honor Your Culturally Competent Counseling Colleagues by January 15 ~

Counselors who have demonstrated their commitment to multicultural counseling and development deserve to be honored. Take this opportunity to recognize your colleagues by nominating them for the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) awards. Details: http://www.amcdaca.org/amcd/default.cfm Contact: J-Lewis@govst.edu or tarrell-portman@uiowa.edu. Nominations must be submitted by January 15, 2008.

~ Worth Reading - Guide Promotes Disability-Friendly Workplaces ~

The US Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services has published Disability Employment 101, which addresses the need to make the American workplace more disability-friendly. Adapting content prepared by the Virginia Business Leadership Network, the publication suggests ways for businesses, agencies and institutions to promote opportunities for persons with disabilities. Topics include a comprehensive analysis of hiring employees with disabilities that includes information about how to find qualified workers with disabilities, how to put disability and employment research into practice and how to model what others have done to successfully integrate individuals with disabilities into the workforce.

Details: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/products/employmentguide/disabilityemployment101.pdf

~ Conference Clipping # 2 - Graduate Student/New Professionals -- Volunteer Opportunities ~

Graduate student and new professional members wishing to participate in the 2008 ACA Conference who are seeking ways to subsidize their participation can register as volunteers. ACA is seeking 120 graduate student volunteers willing to work a minimum of 12 hours during the conference. In exchange, ACA will reimburse new volunteers for one-half of the conference registration. Volunteers who have participated in this program at previous conferences can earn full reimbursement of their registration fee. Details: http://www.counseling.org/Students/GetInvolved Contact: Janice Macdonald at 800/347-6647, Ext. 204. Email:jmacdonald@counseling.org.

~ Scholarship Opportunity for Aspiring Mental Health Professionals ~

Counseling students pursuing either a masters or doctoral degree may wish to apply for the Melanie Merola O'Donnell Memorial Scholarship. Awarded in the memory of Saratoga Springs, NY native, the $2,500 scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in mental health studies. Details: http://mmoscholarship.com/default.aspx and http://mmoscholarship.com/application.aspx. Applications for the coming year's award due February 8, 2008.

~ Help for Holiday Blues ~

Check out the resources under "ACA Today" on the ACA home page www.counseling.org

~ Cast Your Vote by January 31, 2008 ~

All current ACA members should have received a voting ballot in the mail. Please review the candidate profiles in the December issue of Counseling Today or online at counseling.org and cast your vote by January 31, 2008. Questions? Did not receive a ballot? Contact member Services at 800-347-6647, ext 222.

~ Events - ACCA, Idaho, South Carolina, North Dakota and California Branches ~

2008 will provide many opportunities for professional development, renewal and networking for ACAeNews readers, the earliest of which are reported below. Watch each edition for updated calendar postings.

January 24-26, 2008
Event: "Back to Basics," Idaho Counseling Association Annual Conference
Location: Owyhee Plaza Hotel, Boise, ID
Details: http://www.idahocounseling.org/default.asp?page_id=362&parent_id=0

February 6-9, 2008
Event: American College Counseling Association 4th National Conference
Location: Savannah, GA
Details: http://www.collegecounseling.org/conferences.html

February 8-10, 2008
Event: South Carolina Counseling Association 43rd Annual Conference
Location: Marriott Resort, Myrtle Beach, SC
Details: http://www.thepalmettocounselor.org/home.htm

February 10-12, 2008
Event: North Dakota Counseling Association Annual Conference
Location: Best Western - Ramkota, Bismarck, ND
Details: http://www2.edutech.nodak.edu/ndca/conference/

February 15-18, 2008
Event: California Counseling Association
Location: Conference cruise from Long Beach, CA to Ensenada, Mexico
Details: http://www.cacounseling.org/CCA_2008_Cruise_Brochure.pdf

ACA divisions and branches are valuable sources of learning and professional development and ACAeNews readers will find relevant future meetings and conferences posted here regularly. Information of this nature will be posted approximately 8-10 weeks before the conference is held. This information is made available to ACAeNews via the ACA master calendar and the various organization web sites. Calendar additions should be directed to jmacdonald@counseling.org. Please provide the sponsor, dates, site and contact person information. Information posted here is restricted to that sponsored by ACA divisions, branches, regions and related organizations.

~ Tell a Professional Colleague or Counseling Student About ACAeNews ~

ACAeNews is disseminated by subscription only. If you believe a colleague would like to receive this electronic newsletter, they can send an email to listserv@listserv.counseling.org and leave the subject blank. In the body of the email, type the following: Subscribe aca-enews First Name Last Name. Counseling students can also keep abreast of important professional information by reading ACAeNews regularly and grow more knowledgeable about the important worked being performed by ACA.

~ About ACAeNews ~

ACAeNews is published biweekly by the American Counseling Association for the benefit of members and the counseling profession. Any reference to a product, service or activity or listing of a web site in ACAeNews does not imply endorsement by ACA. Any views and opinions are those of the sponsoring organization and may or may not be shared by ACA.

Direct comments, questions and submissions to fburtnett@counseling.org. All submissions will be subject to review by ACA for accuracy, timeliness and relevance to the readership and may be edited to meet space parameters.

Brian Canfield, President
canfield@sandiego.edu

Richard Yep, Executive Director
ryep@counseling.org

Debra Bass, Interim Director of Marketing
dbass@counseling.org

Frank Burtnett, ACAeNews Editor
fburtnett@counseling.org

ACA Web site: www.counseling.org

? 2007, American Counseling Association, 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304. Telephone: 703/823-9800. Email: fburtnett@counseling.org. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce anything contained in this newsletter as long as the American Counseling Association is identified as the original source of the information.

American Counseling Association

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