The latest issue of ACA eNews is online! In this issue: Judy Shepard, Adolfo Bermeo to Keynote 2009 ACA Conference * COPARC to Meet in Late July * ACA Best Sellers: Ideal for Summer Reading * Reliable Resource: Online Tool Promote Opportunities for Students With Disabilities * And More...

Responding once again to a traumatic incident on a college campus, the American Counseling Association, in collaboration with the Illinois Counseling Association, has organized an effort to provide free counseling sessions for students of Northern Illinois University who will be away from school for the summer.

The Red Cross has asked ACA to put out a call for currently certified Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Volunteers in Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin who can respond to the massive flooding and displacement that has occurred in these states.

From May 5 to May 15, 2008, a group of 15 professional counselors, led by Dr. Courtland Lee, and representing the American Counseling Association, journeyed to Vietnam and Cambodia under the auspices of the People to People Citizen Ambassador Program.

Two high priority issues are on the Congressional agenda: passage of a budget resolution for the year, and proposals to block a scheduled multi-billion dollar cut in physician payment rates under Medicare.

The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) and the Council On Rehabilitation Education (CORE) Announce Their Partnership to Advance State Licensure and Educational Standards for Rehabilitation Counseling.

Over the last several weeks, Capitol Hill has been the setting of several mental health briefings and events in observance of May as "Mental Health Month." On May 14th, the House of Representatives passed by a vote of 421-0 House Resolution (HRes.) 1134 supporting the goals and ideals of "Mental Health Month."

Dr. Patrick J. "Joe" McDonough, ACA’s sixth executive director passed away Friday, May 9. He was 76. Dr. McDonough, who was Executive Director from 1983-1990, served with dedication, commitment, and the desire to move the profession to new heights.

A lack of time and available money late last year prevented Congress from passing any substantial reforms to many of Medicare's antiquated policies, including the identification of licensed professional counselors as service providers. ACA and AMHCA have been pushing hard this year to make sure that Medicare's mental health benefit includes coverage of licensed professional counselors.

A new report from the National Center for Educational Statistics finds contemporary parents setting high educational attainment goals for their children. According to the report, about 9 in 10 students (91%) in grades 6 through 12 have parents who expect them to continue their education beyond high school.