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National Health Center Week is next week, 8.10-8.16! 
August 7, 2014
TCA members - real
ACTION ALERT 1: Proposed LPC Rules Will Impact Distance Counseling
Speak-Up Before the Deadline on Aug. 11!

 

The new rules proposed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors will, among other things, significantly limit the ability of LPCs in Texas to use technology to provide counseling services. Telemedicine is the solution Texas lawmakers are choosing to expand access to services. These proposed rules will limit Licensed Professional Counselors to participate in innovative delivery systems. 

 

Requiring both the client and the counselor to be in Texas in the definition of Distance Counseling (�681.2 (10) and requiring that both reside in Texas (�681.41(g) under the General Code of Ethics will adversely impact the ability of LPCs in Texas to provide services, to qualify for insurance panels and to continue to treat clients who, because of work or life circumstances, may no longer be in Texas.

 

Monday, August 11th is the deadline to comment on the new rules. Your voice is essential. Please email your comments to lpc@dshs.state.tx.us and put "Comments on Proposed Rules" in the subject line.

 

For a summary of TCA's recommendations on the proposed rule changes, click here. To review the proposed rules in their entirety, click here.
ACTION ALERT 2: Expand Medicaid to include LPC-Interns & LMFT-Associates
Senate Hearing is Friday, Aug. 15  

 

The Senate Committee on Health & Human Services will hold a hearing at 9am on Friday, 8/15 in Austin to consider, among other things, "...gaps in the current mental health and substance abuse system and ... recommendations to better coordinate services across agencies and programs." 

 

TCA needs your help to take this opportunity to recommend that LPC-Interns and LMFT-Associates be allowed to bill Medicaid for the services they provide under supervision. With more than 194 counties designated as mental health professional shortage areas, allowing reimbursements to LPC-Interns and LMFT-Associates will go a long way to reduce the gaps in the system and better coordinate services. 

 

Efforts are underway to allow unlicensed peer specialists to bill Medicaid. Unless you speak up, we may lose this opportunity. Provisionally licensed psychologists are allowed to bill. We need to expand opportunities for provisionally licensed LPC-Interns and LMFT-Associates and increase access to their services.

 

Please contact the members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee before the hearing next Friday; complete contact details are listed on PDF page 3. For additional information and if you are able to attend, contact Jan@txca.org.
ACTION UPDATE: Sunset Commission Proposed Rules for LPCs, LMFTs
Submit Comments by Aug. 13

 

The Texas Sunset Commission will meet at 10am on Wednesday, August 13th and issue its decision regarding its staff recommendation to move the mental health licensing boards from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR). Almost 200 LPCs responded to our call to action and submitted comments to the Commission. TCA testified in June and met with the members of the work group to address this issue. TCA will also attend the meeting on 8/13, though there will be no opportunity to testify.  Thanks to everyone who responded to this alert. Your voice makes a difference! Look for an update from TCA next week.
Substance Abuse Standard of Care: Draft Licensing Rules
Stakeholder Meeting Aug. 22 

 

The DSHS will hold a stakeholder meeting on Friday, August 22, 2014 from 9:00am - 4:00pm to discuss the Substance Abuse Standard of Care Rules, Title 25 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 448 licensing rules. The meeting will reconvene stakeholders to gather additional feedback on draft licensing rules for Substance Abuse Facilities. Draft licensing rules that include changes made from input received during the June meeting will be posted here on August 15, 2014. Contact Allison Hughes at (512) 834-6700 x 6775 with questions; location map and parking permit.
Pre-Register! Programs Selected for TCA 58th Professional Growth Conference
Held in Dallas Nov. 12-15

 

The Pre-Registration Program Book is now available! Check out the more than 175 programs designed for professional counselors in a variety of work settings. Save money when you pre-register. TCA members pay just $175; students, new-professional and retired members pay even less. Register for an in-depth Learning Institute (11/12) and Post-Conference Workshop (11/15). Explore the Conference Exhibit Hall featuring 75+ vendors. Network with colleagues at Division sponsored luncheons and plan to attend complimentary events including the Opening Kick-Off Celebration, sponsored receptions, the Awards Ceremony, and President's Dance.

 

Programs are eligible for LPC, NBCC, SBEC, LMFT, LCDC, SW, and Psychologist continuing education credits. Share TCA's "Reasons to Register" with your supervisor to build support for your attendance; template letters are available for clinical practitioners and school counselors. For complete conference details, visit www.txca.org/Dallas.

capitol Texas Disability Issues Forum: Sept 24 in Austin
Registration Now Open!

 

The Texas Counseling Association is proud to co-host the Texas Disability Issues Forum on September 24 in Austin, Texas at the Radisson Hotel, 111 Cesar Chavez, 78701. This full-day event is an opportunity for voters concerned with disability issues to learn about the positions and potential policies of candidates running for top offices in Texas. The Forum is open to the public for just $10 a seat. Spaces are going fast, so register now to guarantee your seat and avoid a wait-list the day of the event. For those unable to attend, the Forum will also be Live Streamed.  Click here to register and learn more.
New, TEA Mandated: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training
Online, Face-to-Face Training Available

 

TEA has posted an important advisory on the newly mandated training on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention. Training must be provided on or by the following dates: Sept. 1, 2014 for all K-grade 5 teachers, campus principals, and bus drivers; Dec. 31. 2014 for all remaining teachers, campus principals, and bus drivers; and May 31, 2015, for all remaining school staff. Click here for complete details. School counselors are also encouraged to sign-up on the TEA website to receive "To the Administrator Addressed Update" emails.
null HHSC Requests Input on Medicaid Behavioral Services
Survey Deadline is Aug. 15th at 4pm 

 

The Behavioral Health Integration Advisory Committee (BHIAC) is charged with addressing planning and development needs to integrate Medicaid behavioral health services. This includes targeted case management, mental health rehabilitative services and physical health services. BHIAC is currently seeking public and provider input via an online survey for Phase II recommendations. Respondents must complete the survey by 4pm CT on August 15. For more information, visit HHSC's Behavioral Health Integration Advisory Committee website.
DSHS Needs Assessment Survey: CSHCN
Child w/Special Health Care Needs, Deadline Aug. 30

 

As part of statewide Needs Assessment, the Division for Family and Community Health at the Texas Department of State Health Services is currently conducting a survey of families that have a child with special health care needs. This assessment will help guide state priorities to improve the health of families for the next five years. DSHS seeks input from ANY Texas family who has a child with special health care needs. Survey participation is voluntary and anonymous, and the survey should only take 15 minutes to complete. Please share this survey with clients, colleagues and friends. The survey closes August 30, 2014. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact MaternalHealth@dshs.state.tx.us.  


Two survey links:
English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TX_CSHCN2014
Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/s/ESP_CSHCN2014
New: Transition Assistance Program for Servicemembers
New, Interagency Transition Program

 

Extensive changes have been made to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for servicemembers leaving the military. The new "Transition GPS (Goals, Plans, Success) Program" incorporates the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Labor, and Small Business Administration. This mandatory program includes several segments: a transition overview, financial planning seminar, three-day Employment Workshop, two-segment VA Benefits Brief, and a Capstone event with optional two-day Transition GPS tracks.

Servicemembers, Veterans and spouses can view Transition GPS information and resources, pre- or post-transition, via the eBenefits website. Please direct questions to your local TAP Manager
Changes to TEA Administrative Rules Webpage
SBOE, Commissioner of Education Rules Separated

 

To help users find specific rule-making information more easily, the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) rules for the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the Commissioner of Education have been separated into two webpages. Formerly these two were listed on the same webpage. Please update any bookmarks you may have using the following links:

State Board of Education Rules - Texas Administrative Code (TAC)
Commissioner of Education Rules - Texas Administrative Code (TAC).
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