E-News from
Vol. 09-07
February 19, 2009
VA
to Request New Occupational Category for Counselors
AMHCA and ACA are pleased to announce that the
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) has approved the establishment of a new
occupational category, or categories, for licensed professional counselors and
marriage and family therapists working within the VA’s Veterans Health
Administration (VHA) health care system. The move is a step toward implementation of Public Law
109-461, the “Veterans Benefits, Healthcare, and Information Technology Act of
2006,” which established explicit recognition of both mental health counselors
and marriage and family therapists within the VHA. Until the VHA’s
endorsement of a new occupational category, it was unclear if counselors and
marriage and family therapists would be considered merely subcategories of an
existing occupational category for a different profession.
Establishment of an occupational category for
professional counselors has been a key objective for AMHCA and ACA in
implementation of the law. Federal occupational categories are developed by the
Office of Personnel Management (OPM), but only at the request of federal
agencies such as the VA. Creation
of an occupational category will mark a key step in achieving recognition of
the profession, although the process is likely to take another year or more.
The VHA’s announcement of
the new occupational category came after the House Veterans’ Affairs
Committee—which has direct jurisdiction over the agency—wrote to Secretary Eric
Shinseki urging the VA to “move quickly” to establish regulations enabling
counselors and marriage and family therapists to “work to their full potential
within the VA.” The
letter also stated that federal job classifications for each of the professions
should be established, “in order to recognize their status as full-fledged,
independent mental health professions.”
The House Veterans Affairs Committee letter was
developed and promoted jointly by AMHCA, ACA, and the American Association for
Marriage and Family (AAMFT). Our three organizations—recently joined by the
California Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT)—have been
working closely together to push for implementation of P.L. 109-461. Our organizations’ close
collaborative working relationship with AAMFT and CAMFT will increase our
effectiveness in pushing for new occupational categories for each profession,
and for continued progress by the VA and Congress in expanding the role of
counselors and marriage and family therapists in serving our nation’s veterans.
Beth Powell
Director, Public Policy and Professional Issues
American Mental Health Counselors Association
The only organization working exclusively
for mental health counselors
Phone: 703-548-6002, ext. 105
800-326-2642, ext. 105
FAX: 703-548-4775
Website: www.amhca.org
E-mail: bpowell@amhca.org
Mark your calendar now: July
23-25, 2009
AMHCA's Annual Conference at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C. – Visit www.amhca.org