The Official Newsletter of the Alabama Counseling Association. Volume 48, Important ALCA Dates are Set through 2015

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1 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 1 Award Winning Newsletter The Official Newsletter of the Alabama Counseling Association Volume 48, Inside This Issue Page ALCA Awards Chapter and Division News...8 Content Session Proposal Form...4 Executive Council...7 Membership Report...9 President s Message...2 Professional Development Comm...11 Suggestions for Content Sessions Elected Officers President: Dr. Necoal Driver, Montgomery President-Elect: Nancy Wolfe, Huntsville Past-President: Dr. Melanie Wallace, Birmingham Secretary: Connie Couch, Birmingham Treasurer: J. L. Austin, Lipscomb Historian: Carolyn Johnson Liggins, Birmingham ASU Welcomed ALCA Executive Council During the year, Alabama State University was host to two executive council meetings, each time serving the council wonderful lunches. President Dr. Necoal Driver is on the faculty at ASU. Many thanks to the administration for its hospitality! ALCA Meets in Montgomery For the first time in 25 years, the Annual Conference was in Montgomery. In the beautiful surroundings of the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, counselors heard three great speakers (Dr. Brad Erford, Dr. Don Locke and Joshua Burford), had 105 content session choices, attended three complimentary breakfasts, had fun at a dance and renewed friendships with counselors from throughout the state. ATTENDEES BY THE NUMBERS: 821 Active members 42 Retired members 156 Student members 116 Exhibitors 45 Non-members 1181 Overall total of attendees Executive Director Dr. Chip Wood states that he was pleased with the conference and the number of attendees. the 2012 numbers are roughly equal to 2011 in Birmingham. It is rare to get Birmingham type numbers in any other city.i have heard very good feedback. From all accounts, the speakers were wonderful; the content sessions were meaningful; the facilities were the best we have been in, and from our perspective, the conference operations went off without a single major hitch. This is all amazing, especially when we do all of this with an army of volunteers and members/attendees who support us and understand what we are trying to offer for our profession. In terms of overall operation of the conference, everything was outstanding. Important ALCA Dates are Set through 2015 The following are dates for ALCA events in the future. Chapters and Divisions are asked to plan their schedules around these important times: November 20-22, 2013 Annual Conference Birmingham March 26-30, 2014 ACA Conference Honolulu May 1-2, 2014 Exec Council Retreat Columbiana November 19-21, 2014 Annual Conference Huntsville March 11-15, 2015 ACA Conference Orlando See the ALCA website Activities Calendar for up-to-date information and additions.

2 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 2 President s Message By Dr. Necoal Driver First of all, let me extend many thanks to each of you for allowing me to serve as your ALCA President. It has been a truly wonderful experience that I shall never forget. My theme One Voice, One Mission, One Purpose: Celebrating the Alabama Counselor has been a theme that embraces the profession of counselors but also recognizes the significant contributions we make within the lives of our clients on a daily basis. We are truly a unique profession that gives so much and asks only for our clients to have successful and worthy lives. The conference this year was phenomenal. We had a record number of attendees and overall the experience was wellviewed by all ALCA members. Even though it had been over 25 years since the last conference in Montgomery, we did not miss a beat. Many thanks to everyone and the contributions made to make this conference a success. We are scheduled to be back in Montgomery in There is still so much work that has to be done. As I prepare to pass the gavel over to our next ALCA President Nancy Wolfe, I will continue to serve ALCA in whatever capacity is needed as well as fully supporting our new president. I am truly looking forward to the conference in Birmingham and know that it is one that will continue to be of superior quality. If you are not an active member within your chapter or division, I challenge you to get involved. I wish ALCA continued success and again express thanks for your support and encouragement. Members Encouraged to Present at Conference By Nancy Wolfe, President-Elect What a great conference in November! Montgomery was a fabulous location. I was excited about the variety of topics presented and even more excited that we had so few cancellations. Organizing the presenters and placing them in rooms that were an appropriate size was a challenge. I am thankful for the support and encouragement that was provided to me during this process. I want to encourage everyone to consider submitting a presentation proposal. All of us work hard and do wonderful things everyday for the clients that we serve. Consider sharing your work, research, and techniques at the conference in November The Quarterly is published by The Alabama Counseling Association, a state branch of The American Counseling Association. Subscriptions are included in membership dues. For more information or change of address, contact Dr. Chip Wood, Executive Director, at the ALCA office. Send timely articles to Judy Childress, Editor, 1525 Astre Circle, Hoover, AL or to childressj@charter.net. ALCA Contact Information Phone: Toll Free: Address: alca@alabamacounseling.org Mailing Address: ALCA, 217 Daryle Street, Livingston, AL Fax: Legalese: or Alabama Licensure Board (ABEC): or American Counseling Association: or Page 2 Volume 48,

3 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 3 ALCA Sympathy to Carolyn Thomas in the death of her sister Cannette Patten Evans Knobles of Louisiana (June). Ann Hartline in the death of her husband Red of Hoover (July). Carol Cleveland in the death of her mother Velma Cobb Overstreet of Selma (July). The family of Barry Stephens of Birmingham (July). Walter Cox in the death of his wife Carol of Birmingham (September). Mary Ann Templeton in the death of her father Bobby (Bubba) Cates of Troy (September). The family of Bryan Townsend (Annual Conference speaker) of Talladega (September). Paul Hard in the death of his mother Dorothy Hard of Tuscaloosa (November). Shirley Johnson in the death of her mother Minnie Bell Bedgood of Greenville (November). Katharine Nichols in the death of her mother Margaret Jackson of Hoover (November). Jayne Autry in the death of her husband Tom (March, 2013). ALCA Honors Outstanding Contributions by Members At the Annual Awards Breakfast sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Alabama, ALCA honored individual members and groups of members for their excellent work. President Necoal Driver presented awards as Awards Committee Chairs Margaret Fox, Dr. Mark Leggett, and Dr. Tomeka McGhee highlighted each winner s accomplishments. Congratulations to the following: Research: Individual Publication: Chapter/Division Publication: Chapter/Division Service: Chapter/Division Program: Distinguished Prof. Service: Outstanding Practitioner: Fannie Cooley Award: Jean Cecil Award: Wilbur Tincher Award: President s Awards: Miles-Seymour Scholarship: ALCA Research Grant: Joy Burnham Dr. Glenda Elliot ALSCA ALAMCD Chapter V Dr. Joan D. Williams Doris Vaughans Dr. Jamie Satcher Dr. LaWanda Edwards Dr. Lynn Boyd Dr. Shirley Barnes Dr. Monica Mack Joanne Schrantz Judy Childress Asha McAdory Dr. LaWanda Edwards Below are the chapter and division outstanding member recipients: ALAADA ALACES ALAMCD ALAMFC ALASERVIC ALASGW ALCCA ALCDA ALMHCA ALSCA Chapter III Chapter V Chapter VII Chapter VIII Dr. Carolyn Thomas Dr. Chippewa Thomas Dr. Shirley Barnes Dr. Karena Valkyrie Scott Jones Felicia Pressley Yulanda Tyre Meg Smith Articia Johnson Jennifer Riddle Teresa Taylor Kelli Lasseter Maranda Brown Mai Nguyen Additionally, four resolutions were read and presented: In Memory of Barry Stephens In Memory of Ronieta Thomas Yates In Recognition of Retirement: Carol Turner In Recognition of Retirement: Dr. Nancy Fox Volume 48, Page 3

4 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 4 ALCA Annual Conference November 20-22, 2013 Birmingham, AL CONTENT SESSION SELECTION PROCEDURES Content program proposal forms will ask those submitting proposals to indicate the intended division audience for the program. These may be either a division or ALCA (for programs of general interest). Interested divisions for each content session will be noted in the program book. The number of content session slots will be determined by the ALCA Program Chair (Presidentelect), taking into consideration the number of slots allotted in the past years and the number of rooms available for content programs. 80% of the available content program slots will be assigned to divisions as determined by the following formula: (the total number of slots assigned to divisions) multiplied by (the percent of the total ALCA membership of the division) equals the number of programs selected per division. Any program slots not used by divisions will be reassigned under ALCA allotment. 20% of the available content program slots will be assigned to ALCA. By recognizing that the membership of ALCA share common interests in addition to the specifics of their division memberships, the opportunity exists for developing ALCA membership identity. Content programs will be selected at a meeting convened by the ALCA Program Chair (Presidentelect). A quorum will comprise members present at the meeting. The ALCA Program committee will be composed of the ALCA Program Chair, the ALCA Fall Conference Chair and a representative from each division. Each division representative will be appointed by the division president. NOTE: PRESENTERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING ALL AUDIO/VISUAL EQUIPMENT NEEDS AND ALL HANDOUTS. SCOPE OF THE PROPOSALS All content session proposals are submitted to the ALCA Conference Program Committee for consideration as a Conference Content Session and include the following categories: Regular Programs Proposals should be planned to remedy gaps in knowledge, to provide skills, innovative methodologies and procedures, and to be responsive to the interests of Association members. Student Programs Graduate and Undergraduate students are invited to submit proposals related to counseling and development practices. Faculty members should encourage students to submit proposals. Research Programs Submission of recent research findings and their practical applications are invited. Researchers whose programs are selected are encouraged to bring copies of their work for distribution at the sessions. NOTE: ALL PRESENTERS (including panelists) MUST BE REGISTERED FOR THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE Content Program Proposal consists of a completed onepage content session proposal form. Please use the accompanying form and format. Please be sure that all information requested on the proposal form is accurate. PROPOSAL DUE DATE: JUNE 15, Proposal form to ALCA Program Chair Donna Clark at donna.clark@hsv-k12.org Alabama Counseling Association Assisting the Professionals of Alabama since 1966 Page 4 Volume 48,

5 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 5 ALCA 2013 Annual Conference Content Session Proposal Form All information must be typed (font size no larger than 11) and should be ed to Donna Clark at donna.clark@hsv-k12.org. Title of Proposal: Please list all presenters including all panelists in following spaces. Contact Presenter: Credentials: Employer: Address: City/St/Zip: Phone: Presenter: Job Title: Job Site: Address: City/St/Zip: Phone: Presenter: Job Title: Job Site: Address: City/St/Zip: Phone: Presenter: Job Title: Job Site: Address: City/St/Zip: Phone: Presenter: Job Title: Job Site: Address: City/St/Zip: Phone: ALCA Divisions Interested in Presentation: (Highlight all) College Counseling Counselor Educ & Supervision Multicultural Counseling & Dev School Counselor Career Dev Mental Health Spec in Group Work Spiritual, Ethical & Religious Values Marriage & Family Addictions & Offenders Adult Dev & Aging Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Issues ALCA Note: ALL PRESENTERS MUST BE REGISTERED FOR THE CONFERENCE INCLUDING PANEL MEMBERS Program Description (Do Not Exceed 35 Words) Clinical Focus Area: Child Adolescent Adult School Counseling Area: NA Elem Mid HS Professional Track: Intervention/Practice Advocacy Theory/Research Self-Development General Presenters submitting additional Proposals? Y N Name of Additional Proposal Presenter(s): Title of Additional Proposals: Upon submission of this proposal, you are acknowledging your obligation to abide by the ACA Code of Ethics. Further, you are accepting the responsibility to ensure that all information provided in your presentation, including the words and actions of yourself and your co-presenters, reflect and uphold the ACA Code of Ethics. NOTE: PRESENTERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING ALL AUDIO/VISUAL EQUIPMENT NEEDS AND ALL HANDOUTS Volume 48, Page 5

6 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 6 Topics Suggested for Content Sessions Content session proposals for the 2013 Annual Conference in Birmingham are being sought by ALCA President-elect Donna Clark. Research and Evaluations Committee Chair Dr. Glenda Reynolds prepared a list of topics suggested by 2012 attendees on the conference evaluations forms. If you are thinking of presenting at the 2013 conference, please consider the following topics: Older people and aging More sessions on adult life span and aging More related to retirees Geriatrics counseling Disorders and Neurology Personality disorders ADHD, ODD or behaviors Reward center of brain Neuroscience and neurotherapy applications Continued info about human development and adolescent brain ODD youth Borderline and other Personality disorders More brain research in teens Personality type Borderline personality Anxiety/test anxiety Addictions Cross Addictions Codependency Continue to have sessions dealing with addictions, sexual offenders, and oppositional teenagers More sessions substance use/misuse Why chemical dependence is a disease The addiction family in recovery Addictions and recovery program Techniques Play therapy and expressive therapies Family therapy and couple therapy Short term solution-focused counseling How school and community counselors can better work together Happiness positive psychology More on happiness psychology with a focus on attitudes since research shows it decreases depression Behavior modification dealing with LBGT I always love interventions Additional ideas for using Ipad/technology with school counseling Marriage counseling/couples therapy Yoga training/relaxation training Couples Therapy Children and Adolescents Healthy relationships for adolescent, empowering youth to empower other youth Using nature (out of doors) to counsel students School More on peer helping No More Office Referrals Would like for the State Department to have a session on the counseling plan, a check list for us so that we know what you are looking for when you come for a visit Cyber-bullying and technology for school counselors Helping students in low-achieving schools, schools with poor administration How to help counselors organize, communicate with staff, how to be effective in chaotic schools Suicide Peer helpers/mentoring What to do about increasing number of students with ADHD More technology for school counseling Sharing among fellow school counselors Topics that would address the elementary school counselor Ethics More real ethics Ethical issues in working with youth Christian principles in Counseling and ethics More on ethics Ethical and legal issues More ethics More ethics Continued on page 7 Page 6 Volume 48,

7 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 7 Topics Suggested for Content Sessions Continued from page 6 Counselors and the Profession Advocating for the counseling profession Licensing process and what order credentials should be listed in after name How to network and connect in this field DSM V update Working toward LPC for ALCs Invite Josh for a content session next year Axis I and Axis II disorders Good programs to use with Tier III interventions, appropriate ways to complete forms Dealing with Stress Burnout Other More sessions for college counselors Finding resources to assist families (community resource) working with DHR ALCA Elects New Officers for Testing administering, understanding measurements, utilizing outcomes to promote client growth Invite Josh for a content session next year More agency and group sessions please Researcher roundup Reaching the Unreachable Starting Your Own Private Practice Want Career Focus for [non school] counselors Technology and Internet Abuse Humor in Counseling How to deal with insurance companies I NOW for counselors MAR*CO presentations Past-President Melanie Wallace has announced the results of the recent officer election. Serving ALCA for next year are the following: President: Nancy Wolfe of Huntsville President-elect: Donna Clark of Huntsville Secretary: Vincent Hinton of Montgomery Historian: Ashley Garrett of Jacksonville Congratulations to these members who volunteer many personal hours to serve ALCA. They welcome your support and involvement. ALCA Executive Council Volume 48, Page 7

8 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 8 Governor Appoints Three to ABEC By Dr. Tommy E. Turner, Professional Standards Co-chair Governor Robert Bentley has appointed the following to serve on the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling: Citizen Representative: Beverly Kyser Counselor Educator: Mark Leggett Counseling Practitioner: Stacy Ikard Enhanced Software Purchased for Journal By Dr. Lawrence Tyson, Editor ALCA has purchased software that enables the journal to be read or perused without downloading the entire journal. Readers can now turn the pages of the journal automatically by clicking the appropriate arrow. Go to the ALCA website, click on publications, then click on journal, then click on the word "Web" beside the PDF link. This will take you to the new journal page. ALCA Journal Editor Applicants Sought The ALCA Publications Committee is currently seeking applications and/or nominations of individuals qualified to serve as Editor for The Alabama Counseling Association Journal, the professional research publication of the Alabama Counseling Association. The person selected for the editorial position will be responsible for managing the overall publication process including the solicitation, selection, and editing of articles and materials published in The Alabama Counseling Association Journal. The designated editor will work with an editorial board comprised of individuals representing each of the ALCA professional divisions. Significant knowledge of APA writing style is mandatory. The term is for three years. Interested applicants and/or nominees should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a comprehensive resume/vita reflecting appropriate qualifications in scholarly writing and publication to the ALCA Publications Committee, c/o Dr. Chip Wood, Executive Director, ALCA. ALCA Hires Lobbyist The ALCA Executive Council, at its July meeting, voted to hire lobbyist Lily Land, a recently retired school principal to watch over ALCA s legislative interests in Montgomery. As an advocate for ALCA, she notifies leadership if action should be taken to protect members and the counseling profession. ALCA Public Policy Recognized From alabamacounseling.org ALCA public policy activities are operated under the auspices of the ALCA membership through its officers and representatives. The ALCA Government and Professional Relations Committee is the direct arm that handles these activities regularly. Public policy and government and professional relations are important activities for ALCA. This effort requires awareness on the part of our members. Toward that end, ALCA, in conjunction with the American Counseling Association and the other state branches, has established a state link for CAPWHIZ, a computerized identification and information system that allows us to locate political leaders and political issues easily and readily. To access the system immediately, go to capwiz.com/counseling. Once there, scroll down to the "State Elected Officials" section of the page, pull up Alabama in the box provided, and click on "Go". This site alerts you to all national issues but also gives you ready identification of our state leaders and their contact information. We hope this service is helpful. If you have any questions, contact the ALCA Office at alca@ alabamacounseling.org or Page 8 Volume 48,

9 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 9 NBCC Guidelines for CEU Credit Emphasized From a handout by Dr. Carolyn Thomas, ALCA CEU Coordinator The Alabama Counseling Association is an approved provider of NBCC Continuing Education Activities. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) can be awarded to participants of ALCA continuing education activities if the following guidelines are followed: A. The activity for which CEUs will be awarded must fall within one of the following NBCC core content areas: Counseling Theory Human Growth and Development Social and Cultural Foundations The Helping Relationship Group Dynamics, Processing and Counseling Lifestyle and Career Development Appraisal of Individuals Research and Evaluation Professional Orientation in Counseling B. The activity must be appropriate for master s level professionals in the field of counseling. C. If the activity is self-help in nature, the activity must include instruction for use in the counseling process. The entire CEU handout is available on the ALCAwebsite, alabamacounseling.org. Click on Committees, Chapters and Divisions then on CEU Guidelines in the center of the page. Council Changes Listserv Policy At the March 1 meeting, the ALCA Executive Council agreed that a couple of changes to the listserv message delivery policy were needed. There changes are being made to be sensitive to our members desire to receive only information pertinent to the greater counseling body. Executive Director Dr. Chip Wood asks that all members be aware of these changes: Change 1: Effective immediately, office space/real estate being available to colleagues will not be published. Change 2: Effective immediately, individual requests to help locate a particular kind of counselor or one located in a specific area, etc. will not be published. The ALCA Counselor Locator Service housed on our website was established for this purpose and should be used. Membership Statistics Reported By the Numbers 1787 Active Members (Includes 261 Student Members and106 Retired Members) 126 Chapter I (Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Morgan, and Winston Counties) 146 Chapter II (Blount, Jackson, Madison, and Marshall Counties) 154 Chapter III (Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, and Walker Counties) 431 Chapter IV (Jefferson and Shelby Counties) 165 Chapter V (Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Dekalb, Etowah, St. Clair, and Talladega Counties) 109 Chapter VI (Autauga, Bibb, Butler, Chilton, Choctaw, Dallas, Lowndes, Marengo, Perry, and Wilcox Counties) 395 Chapter VII (Bullock, Chambers, Clay, Coosa, Elmore, Lee, Macon, Montgy, Randolph, Russell, and Tallapoosa Counties) 155 Chapter VIII (Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington Counties) 106 Chapter IX (Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Crenshaw, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike Counties) Volume 48, Page 9

10 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 10 Counselor Locator Service Provides Service to Members By Dr. Ervin (Chip) Wood, Executive Director The Counselor Locator Service (CLS) is designed to match clients with qualified counselors by location and areas of practice through the use of a simple database search system. The CLS is contained in a database located on the ALCA website. It allows anyone to go to the database and search for the counseling service needed and then to determine the Alabama counselor who can provide this service. This program helps clients find the services they need and helps our counselors identify clients. Interestingly, only about 200 of our members are signed up to be listed as providers. This seems to be a missed opportunity for our members in private practice. To view the CLS database, go to and click on Counselor Locator Service. If you would like to be added to the CLS as a provider, you may do it on the website at CLS or you may your information to Chip Wood at chip@alabama counseling.org. (Remember you must be and remain an active member to be listed on the locator service.) Chapter VII Continues to SOAR! Vincent Dwayne Hinton, Chapter VII President During the month of February, Chapter VII partnered with the Alabama School Counselor Association and hosted a workshop on ethics at Alabama State University that focused on ethical decision-making models, children & youth, private practice, technology and sexual minorities. In April, the members recognized outstanding graduate students in counseling programs from Alabama State University, Auburn University, Auburn University-Montgomery and Troy University. The members also continue to collect school supplies and various children s books that are donated to youth agencies in the area. ALDARCA Announces New Website By Elizabeth Hancock, President The Alabama Division of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ALDARCA) is pleased to announce its new website. Please visit for information about our division and find resources and links helpful to members. Chapter IX Matters By Mary T. Earnest, President Chapter IX continues to focus on efforts that matter to local members and nonmembers as well as the state organization. Since the Conference in November we have focused on internal operations as well as training opportunities for and communications with our membership and counselors as a whole. Based on networking at the conference we learned of bylaws changes/amendments that have been made by other chapters which resulted in new practices. If passed by Chapter IX, these amendments will provide for more continuity in terms of officer and council member positions and more flexibility regarding frequency of chapter meetings, publications, and election of officers. The training opportunity for counselors was to provide a three-part ethics winter workshop which was March 8th at Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center in Dothan. The presenters were Ervin L. (Chip) Wood addressing Ethical and Legal Issues for Alabama counselors, Margaret Lacy Smith addressing The Professional School Counselor s Role in Plan 2020, and Tommy Earl Thomas addressing The Clear, Cloudy, and Dark Sides of Dual Relationships. Participants were eligible for 3 contact hours (.3 CEUs). In January we published a biannual newsletter that was sent all active membership which included the proposed amendments to the Chapter IX Bylaws and the proposed slate of officers for the 2013/2014 year. The slate of officers for the 2013/2014 year is as follows: President Mary T. Earnest President-Elect Sonya Palmer President-Elect-Elect Karena Valkyrie Treasurer Margaret Fox Secretary Chelsea Dempsey We are looking forward to increased participation and to providing expanded opportunities for counselors in the Chapter IX counties in the New Year! Page 10 Volume 48,

11 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 11 Special Edition of Journal Announced By Dr Lawrence Tyson, Editor Attention ALCA members: ALCA is pleased to announce the publication of its special edition journal on Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention with Youth, Adults and the Elderly. This edition is now posted on the ALCA website. My most sincere acknowledgment to Dr. Judith Harrington, who volunteered to be Special Edition Editor. Her hard work and professional expertise allowed this project to come to fruition. I would also like to thank each of the contributors. Some are scholars, some are practitioners, one is a survivor; all have a voice and we are indebted to them. Professional Development Committee Reports to Members By Nancy Fortner The ALCA Professional Development Committee (PDC), Thelma Robinson, Ingie Givens, Frank Hrabe and I, have been assessing the role of the PDC. Professional Development (PD) has evolved to not only traditional professional development trainings and workshops but also now includes increased technological and online opportunities. The American Counseling Association (ACA) offers these: Webinars Annual Conference and Expo with pre-conference learning institutes ACA Interest Networks with 14 professional forums Divisional conferences and workshops ALCA offers the following: Annual Conference Chapter and division Building Bridges workshops and trainings Current Issues (and hot topics) Committee The Quarterly, The ALCA Journal and chapter and division newsletters Partnerships and collaborations with other organizations There is an overlap of professional development activities. The PDC supports and encourages an annual on-line PD assessment survey of our ALCA membership (for PD needs) to share with chapters and divisions and the ALCA Program Selection Committee. The PDC role assessment has led us to the need to model advocacy. The PDC recognizes the need for ongoing advocacy training for counseling specialty areas in our state and encourages ALCA divisions to be advocates for their membership s current issues. Two current examples of ALCA divisions who are proactive and model advocacy are Alabama Mental Health Counselors Association through their lobbying efforts with our state legislature and the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender issues in Counseling in Alabama through their ongoing advocacy training for their members and other stakeholders. ALCA has rich history of modeling advocacy. In the 1980s ALCA advocated for elementary school counselors with our membership and stakeholders. After a decade of sustained advocacy and training, Alabama added the first ten elementary counselors in the state. And, again the early 1990s, ALSCA modeled advocacy for school counselors when the Eagle Forum challenged not only the role, but the existence of school counselors in Alabama. And, now ALSCA has an opportunity to advocate for the role a school counselor plays in preventing violence in schools and promoting school safety. Modeling advocacy/advocacy training is ongoing to not allow others to define our role. This is our challenge and opportunity and our professional responsibility. Volume 48, Page 11

12 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 12 School Counselors Celebrate By Dr. LaWanda Edwards, President ALSCA is having an eventful year. In January, Dr. Annette Bohannon, Shelly Johnson, and I joined Governor Bentley as he signed the National School Counselor Week 2013 Proclamation. The signing of this proclamation is very important for school counselors in Alabama. It is just one way that ALSCA is advocating for our profession. This was also our first year launching the ALSCA Art and Essay Contest. Students across Alabama used drawings and essays to show the impact of school counselors. We want to congratulate all art and essay contest winners and their school counselors. We also want to thank Dr. Monica Mack and her committee for leading this initiative and we look forward to having this contest again next year. ALSCA continues to focus on the needs of our members by offering workshops. We offered two workshops over the past couple of months. In January, we co-sponsored the Alabama Career Development Conference and in February, we collaborated with Chapter VII to offer a workshop titled Ethical Concerns, Considerations, and Best Practices at Alabama State University. The workshops were enjoyed by all who attended. The results are in and ALSCA would like to congratulate our officers: President Dr. Monica Mack President Elect Shelly Johnson President Elect-Elect Deborah Grant Secretary Emily Rich Treasurer Margaret Fox Historian Amanda Lea Visit our new website at for more ALSCA information and pictures. Anyone Can Be A Leader or Participant! By Margaret Fox Many of our Executive Council meetings discuss participation and growth of our membership, both in Chapter IX and the Alabama Counseling Association. The strength of our organization is only as good its members. Think how you can be a contributing member of your chapter, division, and organization. The time invested is so rewarding with so many positive outcomes. From participation you will benefit through your connections with others who share your same passions, issues, concerns, joys, and challenges. The networking connections are important and benefit you as a professional. Consider any of the following to strengthen you as a professional and your professional organization: Say Yes to a leadership role. Consider holding an office. Attend local meetings and workshops Attend the Annual Conference Join with a friend or recommend a friend for membership Mentor associates and encourage their participation as well Anyone can be a leader or participant. The professional rewards are endless. Join today! Page 12 Volume 48,

13 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 13 What s trending in your Counseling Center? By Michelle Bond, President, ALCCA The Alabama College Counseling Association (ALCCA) would love to highlight what other counseling centers are doing on their campuses to promote your counseling center. (Outreach programs, themes, etc.) If you are interested in sharing ideas, please me at mbond@faulkner.edu. It doesn t have to be in depth; any idea will be appreciated by all members. ALAADA Selected for the Outstanding State Division Award By Shirley Johnson, President The Alabama Association for Adult Development and Aging has been selected for the AADA Outstanding State Division Award. The award will be accepted at the AADA breakfast on March 23, 2013, which is held during the ACA conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. Both the Nominee, Shirley B. Johnson, President and nominator M. Carolyn Thomas, Treasurer are current AADA members. Several ALAADA members are also AADA members. ALAADA was chartered as a division of ALCA in 2005 and chartered by AADA on April 2, ALAADA celebrated its 7th Year of Service at the 2012 ALCA Conference, November 14-16, Congratulations to ALAADA slate of officers and members for an eventful year. President, Shirley B. Johnson, President -Elect, Linda Frederick, Past President, William (Bill) Jordan, Treasurer, M. Carolyn Thomas, Secretary, Glenda Reynolds, Historian, Carolyn Y. Stinson and Member-at-Large, Shirley P. Nelson. ALAADA has held two Executive Board meetings, and a statewide membership meeting. ALAADA's yearly goals included collaborating with other ALCA chapters or divisions to increase knowledge and skills for working with older persons. On October 19th 2012, ALAADA co-sponsored a workshop with the Alabama Play Therapy Association for counselors at the Montgomery Family Guidance Center monthly Lunch and Learn series on "Counseling the Elderly and Their Caregivers", more than 40 counselors attended, one of the best of the yearly series. A community project, "Caring for Seniors"was initiated on November 8, ALAADA officers and members visited older residents at the Capitol Hill Healthcare Center in Montgomery, and provided creative arts activities, care kits and needed personal items. This will be an ongoing service activity. ALAADA sponsored and co-sponsored five content sessions at the 2012 ALCA Annual conference. ALAADA had a display table at the conference to disseminate brochures, pamphlets, copies of articles about adult development across the life span, membership forms, and the division scrapbook showing our history, activities and accomplishments, favors and other pertinent information. ALAADA published three newsletters this past year. The fourth edition is at the press. These issues included articles about counseling the aging and their caregivers, adovacy related to adult development and aging issues, local and national issues, news about upcoming workshops and presentations, resources and opportunities for Counselors to become involved in ALAADA, summaries of Adultspan articles, highlights about presentations at the AADA conference in Williamsburg, VA and much more. ALAADA continues to focus on the needs of our members by offering workshops. In mid April, 2013, ALAADA will cosponsor a workshop with ALMHCA, covering issues across the lifespan such as: career, mental health/ stress management, retirement, parenting and other life changes that may occur. ALAADA is in the development stage of a web link to the ALCA website. We look forward to having a web link to share with members and broader professionals. If you have an interest in leadership or committee roles, please contact Shirley B. Johnson at shirleyabjohnson@msn.com or M. Carolyn Thomas at mthomas@aum.edu to share your ideas and participate in future endeavors. Volume 48, Page 13

14 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 14 ALCA Endowment Fund If you want to honor someone, send a memoriam, or just make a contribution, the ALCA Endowment Fund is perfect for you. Your contribution supports counseling activities. As a service to our Endowment Fund contributors,we will send the appropriate acknowledgements. Contact Lin Wood at or lin@alabamacounseling.org ALCA Professional Liability Insurance In today s professional setting, perhaps nothing is more important than making sure you are protected in the event a client sues you. You need professional liability insurance. ALCA, in partnership with the ACA Insurance Trust, offers their national insurance policy to our ALCA members. Contact Dr. Chip Wood alca@alabamacounseling.org Updated Legal Liability Issues Book Published by ALCA The must-have reference book for Alabama counselors, Legal Liability Issues for Alabama Counselors has been updated with three new articles and is available for purchase. There are 29 articles in more than 240 pages of pertinent information for counselors in all settings. With the new articles (no old articles were deleted) it is better than ever and even more timely than before. To order, submit a written request and check for $25 to Dr. Ervin (Chip) Wood, ALCA Executive Director, 217 Darryl Street, Livingston, AL Alabama Counseling Association Graduate Student Poster Session Thursday, November 15, 2012 Renaissance Conference & Convention Center Montgomery, Alabama Sponsor: Bradford Health Services Co-Chairs: Vincent D. Hinton & Kelli Lasseter Schools Participating # of Students Participating # of Posters Represented Faculty Representation Alabama State University Auburn University Auburn University in Montgomery Troy University University of Alabama at Birmingham University of Montevallo University of North Alabama University of South Alabama TOTAL (Total Schools Participating - 8) Page 14 Volume 48,

15 ALCA Nsltr Spring _Layout 1 4/19/13 1:52 PM Page 15 The Alabama Counseling Association Executive Director: Dr. Ervin (Chip) Wood, Livingston Elected Officers: President: Dr. Necoal Driver, Montgomery Secretary: Connie Couch, B'ham President-Elect: Nancy Wolfe, Huntsville Treasurer: J. L. Austin, Lipscomb Past President: Dr. Melanie Wallace, B ham Historian: Carolyn J. Liggins, B ham Appointed by President: Parliamentarian Donna Clark, Huntsville Chapter Presidents: Chapter I.. Deirdre Nelson, Muscle Shoals (Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Morgan and Winston Counties) Chapter II..... Kathy Hutchens, Altoona (Blount, Jackson, Madison and Marshall Counties) Chapter II.. Dr. Jacalyn Tippey, Tuscaloosa (Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Walker Counties) Chapter IV.... Natalie Adkinson, Trussville (Jefferson and Shelby Counties) Chapter V.. Ashley Garrett, J ville (Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Dekalb, Etowah, St. Clair and Talladega Counties) Chapter VI. Phyllis Tubbs, Clanton (Autauga, Bibb, Butler, Chilton, Choctaw, Dallas, Lowndes, Marengo, Perry and Wilcox Counties) Chapter VII... Vincent Hinton, Montg y (Bullock, Chambers, Clay, Coosa, Elmore, Lee, Macon, Montgomery, Randolph, Russell and Tallapoosa Counties) Chapter VIII... Mary S. Morton Mobile (Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington Counties) Chapter IX.. Mary Earnest, Dothan (Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Crenshaw, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike Counties) Division Presidents: Alabama Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ALACES).. Dr. Michael Brooks, B ham Alabama Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (ALAMCD Dr. Joan Williams, Montg y AL Assoc. for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values Issues in Counseling (ALASERVIC)... Scott Jones, Linden Alabama Association for Specialists in Group Work (ALSGW)... Felicia Pressley, Montgomery Alabama College Counseling Association (ALCCA)....Michelle Bond, Montg y Alabama Division of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ALDARCA) Elizabeth Hancock, Auburn Alabama Mental Health Counselors Association (ALMHCA)...Dr. Lynn Boyd, Pike Road Alabama School Counselor Association (ALSCA). Dr. LaWanda Edwards, Montg y AL Association for Marriage and Family Counseling (ALAMFC). Dr. Eddie Clark, Montg y Alabama Career Development Association (ALCDA).. Patrice Hinton Oswalt, B ham Alabama Association of Addictions and Offenders Counselors (ALAAOCA) Shannon S. Crenshaw, B ham Alabama Association for Adult Development and Aging (ALAADA)... Shirley Johnson, Pike Road Assoc. for Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues in Counseling of Alabama (ALGBTICAL)... Jessica Lee Merchant, Alabaster Standing Committee Chairs: Nat'l Awards/Resolutions......Marjorie Baker, Montg y State Awards/Resolutions...Margaret Fox, Brantley Dr. Mark Leggett, Tuscaloosa Dr. Tomeka McGhee, Alex City Bylaws... Donna Clark, Huntsville Budget/Finance..... J. L. Austin, Lipscomb Nat'l Govt/Prof Relations..... Dr. Karena Valkyrie, Troy State Govt/Prof Relations..Carol Turner, Birmingham..Joanne Schrantz, Auburn Ethics.... Meg Smith, Montgomery Membership... Darlyce Bundy, Birmingham Program.... Nancy Wolfe, Huntsville Publications.... Dr. Melanie Wallace, B ham Nominations/Elections. Dr. Melanie Wallace, B ham Professional Standards Dr. Tommy Turner, Boaz... Dr. Debbie Grant, Pelham Publicity. Carolyn J. Liggins, B ham Special Committee Chairs: CEU Coordinator..Dr. Carolyn Thomas, Pike Road Chapter/Division Coordinator..Michael Lebeau, Birmingham Endowment Fund...Lin Wood, Livingston.Dr. Ingie Burke Givens, Tuscaloosa Graduate Students. Vincent Hinton, Birmingham. Kelli Lasseter, Leeds Hospitality Dr. Chippewa M. Thomas, Auburn Current Issues.. Don Phillips, Huntsville....Adam Green, Gallant Leadership Development..Dr.Monica H. Motley, Mobile...Dr. Monica Mack, Montgomery Strategic Planning.. Dr. Melanie Wallace, B ham Research/Evaluation.. Dr. Glenda P. Reynolds, Montg;y Professional Development...Nancy Fortner, Brownsboro Annual Conference.. Joanne Schrantz, Auburn... Dr. Monica Mack, Montg y...dr. Shirley Barnes, Tuskegee Special Functions: ABEC.... Dr. Walter Cox, B ham State Dept of Education Liaison.. Janice E. Webb, Montg'y ACA Liaison..Dr. Thelma Robinson, Florence The Journal...Dr. Larry Tyson, Birmingham The Quarterly..Judy Childress, Hoover Chi Sigma Iota Liaison... Dr. Priscilla G. Wilson, J ville Circle of Presidents.. Dr. Nancy Fox, B ham Ads/exhibits... Carol Turner, B ham Adaptive Needs Accom Dr. Angela M. Stowe, B ham Retired Counselors Liaison.. Katharine Nichols, Hoover Emerging Leader Starrah G. Huffman, Prattville Volume 48, Page 15

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