ACA Mission The mission of ACA serves as

ACA Mission The mission of ACA serves as the guiding principle for all the Association undertakes. What follows is an official description. Mission of the American Counseling Association (ACA): To enhance the quality of life in society by promoting the development of professional counselors, advancing the counseling profession, and using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect for human dignity and diversity. As the world's largest association representing professional counselors in various practice settings, the American Counseling Association stands ready to serve more than 56, 000 members with the resources they need to make a difference. From webinars, publications, and journals to conferences and legislative action alerts, ACA is where counseling professionals turn for powerful, credible content and support.

History of ACA In 1952 these four associations came together for the purpose of combining their resources to form one association: The National Vocational Guidance Association (now the National Career Development Association); The National Association of Guidance and Counselor Trainers (now the Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors); the Student Personnel Association for Teacher Education (now the Counseling Association for Humanistic Education and Development); and the American College Personnel Association (now a separate organization).

Counseling As A Career The mission of ACA serves as the guiding principle for all the Association undertakes. What follows is an official description. n Counseling is in demand – The 2012– 13 Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook states that employment of school and career counselors in colleges, universities and professional schools is expected to grow by 34 percent from 2010 to 2020. In addition, demand for career counselors is expected to continue in vocational rehabilitation organizations and in private practice. Employment of school and career counselors in vocational rehabilitation services is expected to grow by 30 percent from 2010 to 2020. n Thanks to recent increases in military-related counseling positions with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and TRICARE (the health insurance plan for military families), there are now many more opportunities for counseling students. This means unprecedented opportunities for counseling students.

Student Liability Insurance for Master’s Degree ACA Malpractice Liability Insurance included in membership for Master’s Degree Students. Coverage is available solely while performing counseling services (e. g. practicum and internship) related to such curriculum. ACA new professional members, within 12 months of graduation, receive a 50% discount on their liability insurance premium. Students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program, doctoral degree program or other post master's program are not covered through this opportunity.

ACA Supports You! Gives a high-level overview of how ACA supports counselors in their careers. Student membership in ACA opens the door to lifelong learning and benefits. ACA supports counseling students by offering unparalleled… n Professional and career development resources n Learning opportunities and continuing education n Advocacy, recognition, and support n Information and engagement opportunities n Discounts and special offers “I love being a student member of ACA because you are given so many resources…it’s impossible to be uninformed! It’s a great way to learn as much as possible before entering the field…” —Alissa Klayman, Northern Illinois University

What Are Counseling Students Saying About ACA? Testimonials from actual ACA student members. These are interspersed throughout the presentation. n “What I love about being a student member of ACA is the security I have in knowing that I have a professional family to turn to for all things counseling…” — Dawn Riley, Eastern New Mexico University n “I am a part of something so much bigger than me. . . ” — Heather Fuller, Capella University n “ACA student membership gives me access to what I need to support my career at a price I can afford…It is a bargain I can’t afford to pass up. ” — Pat Baranczyk, Winona State University

ACA Member Benefits at a Glance Professional Resources & Career Development n ACA publishes multiple books each year, for counselors by counselors. n Through the Journal of Counseling & Development (free with membership), you can explore more than 90 years of research. n Counseling Today (CT), ACA’s award-winning flagship magazine featuring powerful cover stories, in-depth feature articles, and regular columns addressing today’s top counseling concerns, is mailed to members each month. n Use ACA Career Central to search job boards; post resumes; sign up for customized job alerts; schedule career consultations or resume/cv and cover letter reviews; and more. n Private ethics consultations are available five days a week. “Glad to be an ACA member so many benefits!” —Bernadine Brown Master’s Student University of Mass Lowell

ACA Member Benefits at a Glance (continued) Learning Opportunities & Continuing Education n The ACA 2017 Conference & Expo in San Francisco (March 16– 19) offers an opportunity to learn and connect with thousands of counseling professionals from across the globe. n ACA webinars provide a live interactive platform to explore bold topics with subject matter experts. n Download short, recorded podcasts featuring interviews with subject matter experts addressing timely content for free! n Acquire CEs by reading select articles, book chapters, and Learning Modules online.

ACA Member Benefits at a Glance (continued) Advocacy, Recognition & Support n Join ACA in the fight to stop discriminatory legislation affecting counselors. n Legislative “action alerts” are issued to members in particular zip codes when urgent matters arise. n The National Awards shine a spotlight on those who go above and beyond in their commitment to the counseling profession, including students. n Compete in the ACA Graduate Student Essay Competitions! Two grand prize essayists win cash, a complimentary annual conference registration, publication in Counseling Today, and more.

ACA Member Benefits at a Glance (continued) Information & Engagement n ACAe. News, delivered bi-monthly to all members, provides short, timely highlights from recent news and research relevant to the counseling profession. n Stay on top of all new ACA resources through the monthly Member Toolkit email. n ACA Connect is a private online community for members only. n Start an ACA blog to establish a name for yourself in your professional community and beyond. n Special activities and partnerships during Counseling Awareness month (April) get members involved in educating the public about the counseling profession. n Follow ACA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

ACA Member Benefits at a Glance (continued) Discounts & Special Offers n Through Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO), ACA provides Master’s level student members with complimentary liability insurance. n Take advantage of exclusive discounts on professional malpractice liability, auto, home, and personal insurance products, in addition to discounts on car rentals, hotels, products to assist with co-payment processing, and more from industry leaders.

Government Relations & Legislation n n Advocate for your profession at the national and state level. Help to secure funding and legislation. Learn leadership skills. Join the Government Relations community and stay informed. “What I love most about being a student member of ACA is the feeling that comes with making a difference through advocacy opportunities in the field of counseling. I subscribe to the ACA Public Policy Listserv to stay current on pending legislation of concern to the profession and make my voice heard. ” —Laura Messer, Florida International University

Public Awareness n n n ACA created a podcast translated into Creole for Hurricane Katrina survivors and family members. Due to the dedicated counselors throughout California and the state and national organizations, particularly ACA and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), that support professional counseling, the counseling profession achieved a historic goal with the signing into law California Senate Bill 788, establishing licensure of professional clinical counselors in the state. ACA partners with the American Red Cross to provide disaster mental health volunteer services to those areas affected by trauma and disaster. ACA’s response to Hurricane Katrina won the Summit Award from the American Society for Association Executives ACA organized a counseling effort for Virginia Tech Counseling Awareness Month – Counseling Awareness Month is in April – ACA created an award-winning campaign to bring public attention to counseling

Online Specialty Interest Communities, approved by Governing Council, have been formed by 25 or more members who have an interest in a topic that is not currently being addressed through one of the Divisions. Their communication is primarily electronic. The current Specialty Interest Communities include: n n n Advances in Therapeutic Humor Animal Assisted Therapy in n Mental Health n Children's Counseling n Counseling Technology n Ethics n Forensic Counseling n Grief and Bereavement Historical Issues in Counseling n n Integrated Care International Counseling Jewish Multiracial/Multiethnic Counseling Concerns Neurocounseling Professional Counselors in Schools Sexual Awareness Sports Counseling Traumatology Veteran’s Affairs Wellness Women’s Issues

Organization of ACA is organized into 20 specialty Divisions, 4 Regions and 56 Branches. “I stay connected to all disciplines within the counseling profession…I believe there is great value in learning from all specialties and working together towards the common goal of helping. I am proud to be a student member of this force. ” - Laura Knight, The University of Virginia

ACA Divisions serve to enhance professional identity in a specific way and are organized around specific interest and practice areas. The number of Divisions has increased as the counseling profession has grown and changed. Each Division has it’s own president and governing body. Most of the Divisions have a newsletter and a journal.

ACA Divisions n n Association for Adult Development and Aging focuses on counseling concerns across the lifespan. (AADA) Association for Assessment in Research in Counseling is concerned with assessment and testing issues, guidelines and standards. (AARC, formerly AACE) n n Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling focuses on children and adolescents in a multitude of settings. (ACAC) Association for Creativity in Counseling focuses on the creative arts, relational and complementary therapies in counseling. (ACC) American College Counseling Association focuses on college counseling and student development in higher education. (ACCA) Association for Counselor Education and Supervision focuses on the quality education and supervision of counselors for all work settings. (ACES) n Association for Humanistic Counseling supports humanistic values, a belief in reason, education and knowledge in the service of mankind. (AHC, formerly C-Ahead) n Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Issues in Counseling provides education on issues related to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered clients. (ALGBTIC)

ACA Divisions (continued) § § § Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development is interested in improving cultural, ethnic and racial understanding in counseling and defending human and civil rights as prescribed by law. (AMCD) American Mental Health Counselors Association advocates for mental health counselors in public and private practice. (AMHCA) American Rehabilitation Counseling Association advocates for quality services and increased opportunities for people with disabilities. (ARCA) § American School Counselor Association encourages interest in activities that affect personal, education and career development of students. (ASCA) § § Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling focuses on the role of spiritual, ethical, religious and other human values in counseling and development. (ASERVIC) Association for Specialists in Group Work supports standards, research and ethical practices for group work. (ASGW) Counselors for Social Justice promote individual and collective social responsibility. (CSJ) International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors are interested in issues related to addictions and/or criminal justice. (IAAOC)

ACA Divisions (continued) § § International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors promotes excellence in the practice of couple and family counseling. (IAAOC) Military and Government Counseling Association. (MCEG, formerly ACEG) National Career Development Association supports counselors in all settings focusing on career development. (NCDA) National Employment Counseling Association is dedicated to helping people prepare for, enter, understand progress in the world of work. (NECA)

ACA Regions At the ACA Summer Institute for Leadership Training, the four Regions provide leadership training, conduct business and elect officers. The 56 Branches are divided among the four Regions. The meeting also provides an opportunity for networking among Branch leaders. The four Regions are: § § Midwest with 13 Branches North Atlantic with 14 Branches Southern with 14 Branches Western with 14 Branches

ACA Branches There are 56 Branches in the U. S. and abroad that serve as a mechanism for counselors in a geographic area to join together to carry out the purposes of the American Counseling Association. Each Branch has its own president and governing body who work to provide leadership opportunities, professional development, publications, advocacy for counseling issues within its jurisdiction and provide recognition for members. “What I love most about being a student member of ACA is the networking. In the short time I have been a member, I have seen students get and give great advice from each other about internships, classes, and job searching. ” —Cassandra Driver, Vanderbilt University

ACA Governing Council, the governing body of ACA, provides strategic leadership for the association. It is composed of nationally elected ACA offices, an appointed treasurer, one representative from each division and region and a student representative. The term of office is three years, except for the student representative. The Governing Council meets twice a year – once in the fall and again at the site of the ACA Annual Conference.

ACA Committees Much of ACA’s work is carried out by committees of members appointed to serve three year terms. There are student positions on almost every committee. The Committees include: Audit, Awards, Branch Development, Bylaws & Policies, Compensation, Ethics, Financial Affairs, Graduate Student, Human Rights, International, Nominations & Election, Professional Standards, Public Policy & Legislation, Publications, and the Research and Knowledge Committee

Invest in yourself and your profession. Join us. American Counseling Association 6101 Stevenson Avenue, Suite 6101 Alexandria, Virginia 22304 counseling. org Ph: 1 -800 -347 -6647, x 222/703 -823 -9800, x 222 Fx: 1 -800 -473 -2329 8: 00 am – 6: 00 pm ET, M–F