The Idaho Counseling Association is dedicated to social justice in advocating for the profession through lobbying and staying on top of political issues that challenge the counseling profession here in Idaho. A third of the yearly budget goes into providing resources and funding these efforts.
Thank you for your participation in working and building the relationships with our Legislators!
What to talk about:
The best thing we can tell them is to explain to legislators who we are, what our training looks
like, and tell stories of our important work with clients. Of course, the increased need for
mental health counseling and services across the state.
Yes - COMPACT
No - UNIVERSAL LICENSURE
The Idaho Counseling Association opposes legislation enacting universal licensure.
Yes - SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING
and feels that SEL provides students with the necessary skills for interacting respectfully with
peers and understanding their own emotions.
Yes - CONFIDENTIALITY (in schools)
confidentiality in counseling relationships with adults and children. We oppose any efforts that
create new restrictions to confidentiality created within the counseling relationship.
Public Policy & Legislation Committee Chair
Chad Yates
ICA Lobbyist
Liz Hatter
The Idaho Counseling Association (ICA) is proud to announce that we are pursuing legislation
for the Counseling Compact this upcoming legislative session. Currently, the Counseling
Compact includes 14 member states, including nearby Utah and Colorado. The Counseling
Compact will increase licensure portability for practitioners while allowing member state
regulatory boards to better protect consumers through enhanced sharing of licensure information.
Existing interstate occupational licensure compacts have successfully reduced barriers for
practitioners who wish to provide services in other states.
We recognize that the Counseling Compact will benefit consumers, our members, and the
counseling profession by:
• Enhancing mobility for counselors who meet uniform licensure requirements;
• Increasing access to care for clients;
• Ensuring continuity of care when clients or counselors relocate or travel to other states;
• Allowing military personnel and spouses to more easily maintain their certifications when relocating; and
• Preserving and strengthening the current system of state licensure.
Importantly, the Counseling Compact preserves each member state’s authority to regulate the
profession. Counselors utilizing the Compact must abide by the laws and rules of the state in
which they practice, including adhering to that state’s scope of practice. More information on the compact can be found at: https://counselingcompact.org/
Over the last year, ICA has been working closely with the Idaho Division of Occupational and
Professional Licenses (IDOPL) to gain support in pursuing legislation and planning for critical
components of the bill. We are working with our lobbyist Liz Hatter to find sponsorship and
support for this legislation. ICA members please be on the lookout for additional ICA
announcements concerning our progress with the Counseling Compact and for ways that you can support our members. ICA members wishing to learn more about the legislation can contact Dr. Chad Yates.
Dr. Chad M. Yates
Professor | Department of Counseling
Idaho State University
Telemental Health Counseling
Suicide Prevention
Insurance
School Counselor Ratios
Click HERE for a link to the Idaho State Legislature.
Who is my Legislator?Helpful Documents to Utilize in Successful Legislator Meetings:
National Talking Points and Handouts
Interstate Occupational Licensure Compact for the Counseling Profession DRAFT Interstate Occupational Licensure Compact for the Counseling Profession |
Occupational Licensing Interim Committee On September 30th, 2020, ICA Lobbyist Liz Hatter attended this hearing and provided the following information to ICA: Attachments: Sunset Processes in Occupational Licensing DRAFT: Licensure by Endorsement for Military Members, Veterans, & Spouses |
ICA Legislative LuncheonEach year during the Idaho Legislative Session, ICA hosts a luncheon for its members, legislators, committee staff, and other agency officials in an effort to discuss current issues important to the counseling profession. Purpose & History of the Legislative Luncheon The Public Policy & Legislation Luncheon emerged from a planning idea during ICA's Leadership Development Institute Training in June, 2013. The mission of the event is to help Legislators learn about the many ways Counselors contribute to the well-being of Idaho's communities and to establish relationships that can be used when seeking support for counselor initiatives, locally and nationally. The 2023 Legislative Luncheon is currently scheduled for January 26th during the first day of the yearly ICA Conference. If you cannot attend each year, you can support the event by encouraging others to attend or by making a donation. We cannot do this alone and hope to have as many counselors across all the specialties and ICA Divisions. We ask you to consider joining the ICA Public Policy & Legislative committee as we continue to advocate for this great profession! |