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Welcome!
VCA is dedicated to meeting the needs of Virginia counselors in a variety of work settings. The Association's mission is to advocate for the best counseling practices that enhance human development and functioning throughout the lifespan and promote public confidence in the counseling profession.
Advocacy Collaborative
Advocacy Collaborative
The counseling profession is built on the power of being heard and understood. At the VCA, we believe that your voice is one of our most powerful tools for creating positive change. We welcome your voice, your unique experiences, and your passion for the work we do.
Do you have time for a 15-minute virtual meeting with your local legislator just twice per year?
30 minutes a year of your time can profoundly influence how lawmakers view mental health access, school counseling resources, and professional advocacy in your specific area. You do not need to be a political expert; we will give you everything you need to prepare. You just need to be an expert in your own community's needs.
We are currently gathering an interest list of VCA members to collaborate with the VCA Advocacy Committee. Our goal is simple but highly impactful: we want to connect passionate counselors with the local legislators who shape the policies affecting our profession and our clients.
How do I get involved?
If you're interested in amplifying our collective voice, please take a brief moment to fill out our interest form:
VCA Advocacy Collaborative Interest Form
Please note: Completing this form requires no immediate commitment today. It simply lets us know that you are open to learning more! Once you sign up, you will be welcome to attend an upcoming, no-pressure interest meeting with the VCA Advocacy Committee to get the conversation started, ask questions, and see how this collaborative effort works. Together, we can ensure that the needs of Virginia's counselors and clients are front and center. We look forward to collaborating with you!
VCA supports the following related to public policy/advocacy priorities
Support diversification of the counseling profession to better mirror the populations we serve.
Address mental health issues caused and/or exacerbated by social marginalization and factors such as housing, food, medical, educational, and financial security and access in all the ways these impact counselors, students, and the clients and communities we serve.
Protect the rights of counselors, counseling residents, counseling students and the clients, students, families, and communities we serve.
Parity Bill Passes!
Parity Bill Passes!
HB 656 (Willet, Clark) & SB 524 (Deeds) - Parity Bill for Mental Health Access and Network Adequacy
Bases treatment services on official diagnostic manuals rather than arbitrary rules, codifies at-risk parity protections in Virginia, authorizes enforcement measures, collects targeted data to identify parity violations causing unequal treatment, administrative burden, and low reimbursement for providers leading to limited network participation and poor access.
People don't always understand what we do as counselors or the impacts of systems and regulations. Advocacy is important and necessary to raise awareness and work on addressing issues, not just at a personal and social level but also at a legislative level.
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