ACA News

U.S. Senate Holds Hearing on Mental Health Care for Older Adults

On May 19, 2022, the U.S Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing titled, “Mental Health Care for Older Adults: Raising Awareness, Addressing Stigma, and Providing Support.” During this hearing, Committee Chairman Bob Casey and ...

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Invests $25 Million in School-Based Mental Health Services

On May 3rd, 2022, HHS announced, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program, its’ expansion of investment towards strengthening partnerships between schools and health centers. To do so, HHS ...

House and Senate Appropriations Committees Introduce FY 2022 Omnibus Package

On March 9, 2022, the House and Senate Appropriations Committee released the text of the omnibus spending package, which contains all 12 fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations bills, totaling more than $1.5 trillion in federal funding through ...

House Ways & Means Committee Holds Hearing on America's Mental Health Crisis

On February 2, 2022, the House Ways & Means Committee conducted a hearing entitled “America’s Mental Health Crisis,” during which the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S.828/ H.R. 432) was mentioned. ...

HHS Announces $13M Grant to Increase Behavioral Health Care Access in Rural Communities

On January 18, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the availability of $13 million in funding to increase access to behavioral health care services ...

$103M Awarded to 45 Grantees through Biden-Harris Administration American Rescue Plan Funds to Promote Mental Health and Wellness Among Health Care Workers

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently announced $103 million in awards to 45 grantees to increase the retention and boost staffing of health care workers in the U.S. These multi-year awards, which were secured by funding ...

Senate Finance Committee Receives 321 Public Responses to Barriers to Mental Health Care for Counselors

Senate Finance Committee press release, titled ?Wyden, Crapo Welcome Input on Addressing the Mental Health Care Crisis," highlights the 321 public responses to the initiative, including a letter from the American Counseling Association advocating for ...

Senate Finance Committee Receives 321 Public Responses to Barriers to Mental Health Care for Counselors

Senate Finance Committee press release, titled ?Wyden, Crapo Welcome Input on Addressing the Mental Health Care Crisis," highlights the 321 public responses to the initiative, including a letter from the American Counseling Association advocating for ...

ACA Submits Comments on Congressional Initiative for America?s Mental Well-Being

Recently, the American Counseling Association, along with members of the Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition, submitted comments on an initiative led by U.S. Reps. Michael Bennet and John Cornyn, which would modernize the delivery and ...

ACA Responds to Senate Finance Request for Information

The American Counseling Association (ACA) submitted a response to the Senate Finance Committee’s request for policy proposals to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services. The response was addressed to Senator Ron ...

Representatives Newman and Stewart Champion Student Mental Health with New Bill

Congresswoman Marie Newman (D-IL-03) and Congressman Chris Stewart (R-UT-2) have sponsored the Student Mental Health Helpline Act of 2021 (HR 5235) to address students? mental health by providing a 24/7 mental health helpline.

SAMHSA announces $825M in grants to community mental health centers

On September 28, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the distribution of $825 million in grants to 231 community mental health centers (CMHC) across the country. A complete list of grant recipients can be ...

ACA Urges Congressional Leaders to Support the Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act

The American Counseling Association (ACA) supports and is working to help pass the Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act (HR 2264/S. 660) which directly affects the work of licensed professional counselors and their clients throughout the country. The ...

House Appropriations Subcommittee Favorably Reports FY 2022 L-HHS Bill

In her opening remarks, Appropriations Full Committee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) emphasized the fact that the COVID-19 crisis has exposed critical shortfalls in public health infrastructure, as well as in mental health care. She also reaffirmed ...

The White House Administration?s Policy Agenda During the First 100 Days ? Part IV of IV

The Biden-Harris administration has wrapped up its first 100 days in office. The American Counseling Association (ACA) continues to keep its commitment to members by updating you on the current administration’s policy decisions that are ...

Biden Administration Releases Top Line Budget Request

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released President Biden’s topline request for fiscal year (FY) 2022 discretionary funding. OMB stated the complete President’s Budget will not be available in time for the start of the ...

State Affairs: AR HB 1570 Update | LBGTQIA Health Care

April 15, 2021By Dominique MarsalekBiden Administration issued an Executive Order on January 20, 2021, reaffirming the United States Supreme Court’s decisive conclusion that Title VII’s prohibition on discrimination 'because of sex' covers ...

Biden Administration Introduces the American Jobs Plan

In these times where it seems like everyone is struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy, the Biden administration introduced the American Jobs Plan, which could potentially make life easier for millions of Americans. The American Jobs Plan consists ...

The White House Administration?s Policy Agenda During the First 100 Days ? Part III of IV

The Biden-Harris Administration has reached day 75 of the Administration’s first 100 Days. The American Counseling Association (ACA) has made a commitment to our members and counselors everywhere to keep you updated on the progress of this ...

Counseling Compact Update

April 5, 2021By Dominique N. Marsalek What is the Counseling Compact?The Counseling Compact is an occupational licensure agreement based on the mutual recognition model, in which a practitioner’s home state[1] license is mutually recognized by ...