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.

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.

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.  

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.