Advocacy

HB 2001 Passes: A Win for Counseling Graduates and Mental Health Access

The Arizona Counselors Association is pleased to see that our State Legislative and Executive branches are committed to ensuring a continuity of mental healthcare for Arizonans with the passing of House Bill 2001. This new law will allow counseling graduates to continue providing essential services to their clients while awaiting the processing of their license applications under A.R.S. 32-3271(A)(13). We appreciate our state government for their efforts to support Arizonans receiving vital mental healthcare support. Please do not call AZBBHE with questions of when this new bill will come into effect.

A.R.S. 32-3271(A)(13)  

FOR A PERIOD OF NINETY DAYS, A PERSON WHO HAS COMPLETED THE PERSON'S COURSE OF STUDY IN SOCIAL WORK, COUNSELING, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY  THERAPY OR ADDICTION COUNSELING FROM A REGIONALLY ACCREDITED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION, WHO HAS GRADUATED, WHO POSSESSES A VALID FINGERPRINT  CLEARANCE CARD ISSUED PURSUANT TO TITLE 41, CHAPTER 12, ARTICLE 3.1 AND WHO IS IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR AN ASSOCIATE LEVEL LICENSE PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER IF THE PERSON'S ACTIVITIES ARE PERFORMED UNDER QUALIFIED SUPERVISION BY A PERSON WHO PROVIDED DIRECT SUPERVISION DURING THE COURSE OF STUDY OR INTERNSHIP. THE PERSON MAY APPLY ANY DIRECT CLIENT CONTACT WORK EXPERIENCE OBTAINED DURING THE NINETY-DAY PERIOD WHILE THE PERSON'S APPLICATION IS PENDING TOWARD THE PERSON'S DIRECT CLIENT CONTACT WORK EXPERIENCE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS.   

Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners

ORAL PROCEEDING Scheduled for: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

ATTEND IN-PERSON AT: Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners Boardroom C 1740 West Adams Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007

ATTEND VIRTUALLY AT: https://zoom.us/j/4422057920?pwd=waXkPoO20UK0zJ4c6UmeKeW3Oj0Tz2.1&omn=95770963180

PUBLIC COMMENT  - Opportunity to provide comments and recommendations on the Board’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the March 21, 2025 issue of the Arizona Administrative Register. Proposed revisions include rules contained in Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11. Click here for the Notice.

National Advocacy Update: ACA Position on Medicaid Funding

The Arizona Counselors Association is committed to keeping our members informed about national advocacy efforts that may impact the counseling profession.
We encourage members to stay informed and engaged.

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is urging action to protect Medicaid from proposed federal funding cuts. According to ACA, such cuts could have significant consequences for mental healthcare access across the country.

Why Medicaid Matters (per ACA):
Medicaid provides healthcare to over 80 million low-income individuals, including:

  • 80% of children living in poverty
  • 35% of individuals with disabilities
  • 48% of adults living in poverty
  • Many individuals experiencing homelessness

ACA notes that Medicaid is the largest payer of mental health services in the U.S., supporting care for 29% of non-elderly adults with any mental illness. Many mental health providers, including licensed counselors, rely heavily on Medicaid reimbursement to offer care to vulnerable populations.

ACA encourages counselors to contact their Congressional representatives and advocate for the protection of Medicaid to preserve access to mental healthcare.

➡️ For more information or to take action, click here.

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