Fall 2015 CACREP Connection

Council for Accreditation and Counseling

Unifying the Profession

Dear Colleagues,


It should be noted that these historic events could not occur without significant individual and organizational collaboration. It is my belief that our ability to work collaboratively toward common goals is essential to future successes and is an important indicator of our overall health as a profession. It is through cooperation we have answered fundamental identity questions about who counselors are and what makes us distinct from other professions. There is no question that counseling will face challenges both in terms of external threats and internal differences. There is also no question our profession is most effective in facing these challenges when we work together.July was a historic month for CACREP and for the counseling profession! On July 20th, 2015, CACREP and CORE signed a merger agreement (effective July 1st, 2017), creating the pathway for a single accrediting body for all counseling programs. On the very next day, the American Counseling Association Governing Council passed motions that ACA endorse, support, and advocate for graduation from CACREP/CORE accredited programs, both as the pathway for independent practice and as part of ACA’s legislative advocacy efforts. These events strengthen advocacy efforts for all counselors by clearly communicating that counseling is one profession; a profession in agreement regarding the importance of a common set of educational and training standards for its members. This message will create new opportunities for counselors at state and federal levels and expand our capacity to serve the public.

As we work together to solidify our identity as counselors and unify our profession, it is important to recognize the uncertainty that this process may bring to individuals who graduated from non-CACREP programs. The recently passed ACA Governing Council motions included language that ACA advocate for grandfathering for counselors licensed “on or before July 2020, as qualified independent practitioners with the same professional privileges and practice options as graduates from CACREP and CORE programs.” CACREP fully supports reasonable grandfathering as a way of protecting long-standing members of the profession who may not meet current educational and training requirements. Such an approach shows respect for the contributions of all counselors and allows for a measured approach to the unification of our profession.

It is also important to recognize that, as CACREP accreditation becomes increasingly desirable, non-CACREP accredited counseling programs may have questions about perceived barriers to accreditation. As an organization, CACREP is aware of these concerns and continues to work on ways to increase the public’s understanding of pathways to accreditation, and benefits and opportunities inherent in the accreditation process.

This is an exciting time for CACREP and the counseling profession! It is a time of increasing unity, cooperation, and collaboration! It is also a time for reflection and celebration as we consider the opportunities before us as a profession.

Warm Regards,

Jeff

Fall 2015

IN THIS ISSUE…

Chair’s Report

Accreditation Decisions

Policy Changes

News

Events at ACES

ACCREDITATION DECISIONS

The CACREP Board met in July in Madison, Wisconsin, to make accreditation decisions.

read_more

Become a fan of CACREP on Facebook! We can reach a wide audience quickly with important updates on CACREP and other counselor education matters. Recent facebook posts have focused on the TriCare recommendation and notice of training sessions.

facebook_icon

Accreditation Decisions

The CACREP Board met in July in Madison, Wisconsin, to make accreditation decisions. Read more >>

POLICY CHANGES

A revised Policy Document was adopted by the Board in July. Although very few policies were altered, the new document is structured to make it easier for programs to locate policies that relate to them.

ASSESSMENT GUIDE

CACREP has released a new Assessment Guide for the 2016 Standards. This document explains the new Section 4 and gives examples of how programs might address the section.

RESEARCH

CACREP develops an annual Research Agenda to identify significant information and advocacy needs as well as emerging issues relevant to its mission. CACREP believes these issues have short- and long-term impact on the quality of its accreditation process. The Research Agenda is not an exhaustive listing of research topics, but rather highlights priority topics that are directly related to its mission and strategic initiatives.

The Research Agenda will be carried out through student research, faculty research, and CACREP-commissioned research. The Research Agenda targets two to three primary themes that remain consistent for at least two years as targeted research priorities. Click here to learn more about the CACREP Research Agenda.

CACREP Board Openings Beginning July 1, 2016

CACREP will be selecting two new Board members for five year terms beginning July 1, 2016. One Counselor Educator and one Public Member position will be filled. The application deadline is October 30, 2015. For more details see: http://cacrepdev.wpengine.com/news/board-members-sought-beginning-2016/

EVENTS AT ACES

Open Sessions:

  • CACREP Table Talk (October 8th 11-11:50am) – Salon D
  • The CACREP 2016 Standards (October 9th 3:30-5:00pm) – Room 415

These Sessions are by invitation only:

  • CACREP Team Chair Breakfast (October 8th 8-10:30am) – Salon D
  • CACREP Site Team Member Training/Update (October 8th 1:30-4:20) – Salon D

Student Video Contest Winners Use Their Prize

CACREP was notified of the following from Western Illinois University:

Congratulations once again to the CNED students who won the CACREP advocacy video award last Spring, 2015! The students who spearheaded the video initiative opted to donate their $500.00 Amazon gift card to the Department of Counselor Education. Students from the QC Counseling Association made recommendations of items that they believed would be useful in the Department’s new lab space, particularly in the children’s lab. How exciting! It has all arrived.

To watch their winning video, click here.