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.
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:
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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