Government Relations

 

Information on this page:

 

State Policy and Legislation

One of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association's primary objectives is to lobby state legislators and administration officials in Harrisburg for laws and policies that are favorable to professional counselors and the clients that they serve. Advocacy initiatives need to be waged. To learn how you can help, contact the PCA Government Relations Committee at the contact information below.

Contact information:

Madeleine Stevens, Chair
advocacy.pca@gmail.com

The PCA Government Relations Committee is committed to keeping PCA members updated on relevant legislation moving through the Pennsylvania legislature. Click here for a link to view current legislation in the PA House of Representatives and Senate. The GRC updates this spreadsheet at least three times a month.

Advocacy Resources

1. Find Your Legislators by clicking here: Find Your Legislator  

2. Use this writing Guide as an example to contact your legislator: Writing Your Legislator

3. Consider this sample Letter: PCA Example Letter

4. The LPC Brochure (PDF PCA)

5. The Effectiveness Of And Need For Counselors (PDF ACA)

6. A Vision For The Future Of Counseling The 20/20 Principles For Unifying And Strengthening The Profession: The 20/20 Principles for Unifying and Strengthening the Profession. David M. Kaplan and Samuel T. Gladding ( PDF)

7. PCA Advocacy Day Informational Slides

 

Current Concerns & Advocacy Efforts

 

Government Relations sends out monthly legislative updates to all current PCA members.  These updates serve to educate the Association about current legislative issues and support advocacy efforts in the Commonwealth.  If you would like the most recent version, please contact the chair at PCAGovernmentRelations@gmail.com or join PCA to get them regularly.  

Federal Policy and Legislation

PCA parent association American Counseling Association (ACA) is working on a number of federal policy issues to advance professional counseling and better serve clients. These issues include, but are not limited to, Medicare coverage for mental healthcare consumers seen by professional counselors, the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy law and regulations, mental health parity, and federal funding for school counseling programs. Your help is needed! To find out how you can help move us forward, or for updates on key federal legislation, visit the ACA's Government Affairs and ACA Legislative Action Center web pages.