WA Professional Counselors Association

Happy New Year!

01 Jan 2017 1:17 AM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

We wish you a very healthy, happy, and successful 2017!

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RAP BACK - Stakeholder Meeting

22 Jul 2016 3:27 PM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

ACTION ALERT: YOUR PARTICIPATION IS REQUESTED!

The original email has been included below, regarding the RAP BACK Stakeholders Meeting. Your participation is requested.

While active participation is always best, you may also email us with your feedback to contact@waproca.org.

Your voice and feedback are essential to proposed legislative topics such as this.

Thank you,

Tim

President - WAPROCA

FROM:: WA STATE DEPT OF HEALTH::

Dear Stakeholders:

PLEASE NOTE: Change in location!! Due to audio/visual problems, we moved Monday’s Rap Back feedback forum to a different building and room on the Department of Health Campus. The meeting will be in the Town Center 2 Building in room 145. Driving directions are below. Since space is more limited in the new room, we encourage you to consider attending via webinar. If you haven’t already, please register for the webinar at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6001531763908179202

The Department of Health (department), Division of Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA) is considering legislation to implement the Rap Back program in Washington State for all health care practitioners.

Rap Back is a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) program that would allow the Washington State Patrol (WSP) to maintain fingerprints on all health care practitioner licensees and to notify the department when a licensee has a change in their criminal history. Currently, the department obtains fingerprint-based background checks only on those applicants who apply from out of state. The fingerprints are destroyed once the FBI produces a report.

HSQA is partnering with the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission on legislation to amend laws to allow the WSP and the department to participate in Rap Back and to expand electronic fingerprint-based background checks to all applicants either at initial licensure or at renewal. WSP would maintain the fingerprints and notify the department when new criminal activity occurs. Given the highly mobile nature of our society, Rap Back will help us to protect the citizens of Washington from unsafe health care practitioners.

We want your input on this important initiative. We are hosting an open forum so that you can learn more about Rap Back and so that we can answer your questions and gather your input. Please join us:

Monday, July 25, 2016

3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Department of Health

Town Center 2, Room 145

111 Israel Road SE

Tumwater, WA 98501

Driving Directions: http://www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs/OfficeHoursandLocations/TumwaterTownCenter

Kathy Schmitt

Deputy Director

Office of Health Professions and Facilities

Washington State Department of Health

111 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501

PO Box 47852 Olympia, WA 98504-7852

(360) 236-2985

Kathy.schmitt@doh.wa.gov

Public Health - Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Washington

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UPDATE: Workshop for Stakeholders on scope of practice for Certified Counselors/Advisers

19 Jul 2016 11:40 PM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

ACTION ALERT: UPDATE!

CERTIFIED COUNSELORS & CERTIFIED ADVISERS

The initial Stakeholders Meeting was held on Thursday, 7/14/16, to review and discuss potential changes to the scope of practice for Certified Counselors and Certified Advisers.

The Washington Professional Counselors Association (WAPROCA) prepared a background statement to assist in the conversation, and followed up with a proposed recommendation - that no changes are required to the current law (RCW 18.19.200).

In an email update to those subscribed to the mental health related listservs, the WA State Department of Health states that they "...will not be proposing legislation for 2017 to update the scope of practice for certified counselors and certified advisers. Therefore, the second workshop for stakeholders has been cancelled."

Questions may be directed to WAPROCA (contact@waproca.org or (206) 289-0874), or to Kim-Boi Shadduck, Program Manager at the WA State Department of Health (kimboi.shadduck@doh.wa.gov or (360) 236-2912).

Active WAPROCA members may request a copy of both the background statement and proposed recommendation by emailing contact@waproca.org.

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Workshop for Stakeholders on scope of practice for Certified Counselors/Advisers

01 Jul 2016 12:11 PM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

ACTION ALERT: YOUR PARTICIPATION IS REQUESTED!

CERTIFIED COUNSELORS & CERTIFIED ADVISERS

This is your opportunity to participate, share, and discuss important next steps in the scope of practice for Certified Counselors and Certified Advisers.

The WA State Department of Health recently sent an email to those subscribed to the mental health related listservs.

Stakeholders from various mental health professions and committees will be in attendance, including myself.

There are TWO (2) WAYS for you to participate:

Attend the FIRST stakeholder workshop on Thursday, July 14th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Attend the SECOND stakeholder workshop on Thursday, July 21st, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you are unable to participate in-person, your feedback remains strongly encouraged and appreciated. Feedback may be sent to contact@waproca.org

Thank you,

Tim Livingston
President
Washington Professional Counselors Assoc. (WAPROCA)

FROM: Kim-Boi Shadduck, Program Manager

Interested Parties,

The Department of Health is proposing legislation to update the scope of practice for certified counselors and certified advisers. The first workshop for stakeholders will be on Thursday July 14, in Tumwater at Town Center 3, Room 224, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The department is inviting stakeholders from the mental health professions to participate in discussions regarding the continued use of the current screening tool (GAF) for certified counselors and certified advisers. The primary task is to determine what, if anything, should be put in place of the GAF. These discussions will help guide department decision making regarding development of a possible legislative proposal for the 2017 legislative session. We apologize for the tight timelines, but your participation from all affected stakeholders remains important and will be greatly appreciated.

Driving Directions:

http://www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs/OfficeHoursandLocations/TumwaterTownCenter

The department will host the second workshop for stakeholders

Date: July 21, 2016

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Tumwater at Town Center 3, Room 265

If you have any questions, please contact me at kimboi.shadduck@doh.wa.gov or 360-236-2912.

Respectfully,

Kim-Boi Shadduck, MBA

Program Manager

Examining Board of Psychology

Certified Counselors, Certified Advisers, & Hypnotherapist Advisory Committee

Department of Health

Division of Health Systems Quality Assurance

Office of Health Professions and Facilities

P.O. Box 47852

Olympia, Washington 98504-7852

http://www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs/ProgramsandServices/HealthSystemsQualityAssurance.aspx

Phone: 360-236-2912

Fax: 360-236-2901

kimboi.shadduck@doh.wa.gov

“Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Washington.”

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Opportunities for additional coursework and continuing education.

14 May 2016 2:18 PM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

Are you looking for additional coursework and continuing education opportunities? In addition to the CE courses that WAPROCA offers, Cascadia Training is also a good source!

Visit them online at: http://www.cascadia-training.org/

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Crisis Clinic - 2016 Community Training Program

05 Mar 2016 9:50 AM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

We often receive questions about community training programs, continuing education, and resources that would be helpful for both Certified Counselors and Certified Advisers.

The Crisis Clinic is one of those incredibly valuable and immediately available resources, for communities and providers alike.

Read more about Crisis Clinic, and the 2016 Community Training Program at www.crisisclinic.org. You'll find a wealth of information, and immediate access to valuable tools and resources.

Have questions as a provider? Yes, they are trained to assist you as well!

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WAPROCA Implements SPF Records on Domains.

21 Feb 2016 11:56 AM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

We have implemented SPF records on our domains, in order to help ensure that our email is not rejected as spam. Also, to ensure that email you receive from us comes from one of our authorized mail servers.

Technical Information:

A Sender Policy Framework (SPF) Record is a type of Domain Name Service (DNS) record that identifies which mail servers are permitted to send email on behalf of our domains.

The purpose of an SPF record is to prevent spammers from sending messages with forged 'From:' addresses at our domains. Recipients can refer to the SPF record to determine whether a message purporting to be from our domains actually comes from one of our authorized mail servers.

EXAMPLE: When a recipient's mail server receives a message from user@example.com, it can check the SPF record for 'example.com' to determine whether it is a valid message. If the message comes from a server other than the valid mail servers listed in the SPF record, the recipient's mail server can reject it as spam.

SPF records help to ensure that recipient domains (your provider email servers) are less likely to reject messages from us because they are able to validate that the messages actually come from one of our authorized mail servers.

Additional Information on the SPF Project:

http://www.openspf.org/

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: House Bill (HB) 1134. "Concerning scope of practice for certified counselors and advisers."

26 Mar 2015 6:21 PM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

House Bill (HB) 1134 (update)

This bill is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health Care at 10:00 AM on Monday, March 30th.

History of the Bill as of Thursday, March 26, 2015
	Sponsors:		Representatives Moeller, Harris
	By Request:		Department of Health
	Companion Bill:		SB 5440

	2015 REGULAR SESSION
		Jan 14	First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report). (View Original Bill)
		Jan 27	Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM. (Committee Materials)
		Jan 30	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 11:00 AM. (Committee Materials)
			HCW - Executive action taken by committee.
			HCW - Majority; do pass. (Majority Report)
			Minority; do not pass. (Minority Report)
		Feb 3	Referred to Rules 2 Review.
		Feb 5	Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
		Feb 12	Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
			Third reading, passed; yeas, 55; nays, 42; absent, 0; excused, 1. (View Roll Calls)
	IN THE SENATE
		Feb 13	First reading, referred to Health Care.
		Mar 30	Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health Care at 10:00 AM. (Subject to change)

Who voted!

HB 1134

Certif counselors & advisors

House vote on Final Passage

2/12/2015

Yeas: 55 Nays: 42 Absent: 0 Excused: 1

Voting Yea: Representative Appleton, Bergquist, Blake, Caldier, Carlyle, Clibborn, Cody, Dunshee, Fagan, Farrell, Fey, Fitzgibbon, Goodman, Gregerson, Gregory, Hansen, Hudgins, Hunter, Hurst, Jinkins, Johnson, Kagi, Kilduff, Kirby, Lytton, MacEwen, McBride, Moeller, Morris, Moscoso, Ormsby, Ortiz-Self, Orwall, Peterson, Pettigrew, Pollet, Reykdal, Riccelli, Robinson, Ryu, Santos, Sawyer, Sells, Senn, Springer, Stanford, Sullivan, Takko, Tarleton, Tharinger, Van De Wege, Walkinshaw, Walsh, Wylie, Mr. Speaker

Voting Nay: Representative Buys, Chandler, Condotta, DeBolt, Dent, Griffey, Haler, Hargrove, Harmsworth, Harris, Hawkins, Hayes, Holy, G. Hunt, Klippert, Kochmar, Kretz, Kristiansen, Magendanz, Manweller, McCabe, McCaslin, Muri, Nealey, Orcutt, Parker, Pike, Rodne, Schmick, Scott, Shea, Short, Smith, Stambaugh, Stokesbary, Taylor, Van Werven, Vick, Wilcox, Wilson, Young, Zeiger

Absent:

Excused: Representative S. Hunt

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: House Bill (HB) 1134. "Concerning scope of practice for certified counselors and advisers."

02 Mar 2015 8:03 PM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: House Bill (HB) 1134. "Concerning scope of practice for certified counselors and advisers."

You can follow HB 1134 by clicking HERE. Read the proposed original bill, watch video of the public hearing, and let us know if you have any questions.

The Washington Professional Counselors Association (WAPROCA) greatly appreciates the support of Representatives Jim Moeller (D-49th) and Paul Harris (R-17th), Jim Morishima, Counsel, and Martin Mueller, Assistant Secretary - Health Systems Quality Assurance. You may reach House Health Care & Wellness Committee Members by clicking HERE. Please let them know that you also appreciate their support.

Brief Summary of Bill

Replaces references to the previous version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders with generic language about mental, emotional, or behavioral problems.
Replaces the specific list of professionals to or from whom a certified adviser or certified counselor may give or accept referrals with a list of professionals defined by the Secretary of Health in rule.

Specifically prohibits a person from practicing as a certified adviser or certified counselor unless he or she is certified a certified adviser or certified counselor.

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Welcome! WA State Dept. of Health Update.

06 Feb 2015 10:37 AM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

The Washington Professional Counselors Association welcomes...

Nancy Tyson, Executive Director - Health Professions and Facilities. -WA State Department of Health

Kim-Boi Shadduck, Program Manager - Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, & Social Workers Advisory Committee. Certified Counselors, Certified Advisers, & Hypnotherapist Advisory Committee. -WA State Department of Health

It is a pleasure to welcome them, and very nice to have met them at the January 15th Advisory Committee meeting, in Tumwater. We welcome these new collaborative partnerships, on behalf of credential holders in our State.

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01 Jan 2017 1:17 AM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

22 Jul 2016 3:27 PM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

19 Jul 2016 11:40 PM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

01 Jul 2016 12:11 PM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

14 May 2016 2:18 PM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

05 Mar 2016 9:50 AM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

21 Feb 2016 11:56 AM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

26 Mar 2015 6:21 PM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

History of the Bill

02 Mar 2015 8:03 PM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)

06 Feb 2015 10:37 AM | Tim Livingston (Administrator)