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WCA Day at the Capitol

Thank you to everyone who joined WCA in Madison on Friday, April 18 for the Leadership and Advocacy Training. The presentation and resources from the event will be uploaded to the website shortly.

Prior to your attendance, please make an appointment to meet with your legislators (assembly person and state senator). You can find your assemblyperson and senator by visiting https://maps.legis.wisconsin.gov/?lat=&lon=&address=. It may not always be possible to meet with your legislators, but you may still be able to meet with their aides. Meeting with these individuals is still helpful and a close substitute.

Agenda
11:00am -11:30am Registration
11:30am - 1:30pm Presentation on Counselor Advocacy - 2 CEs & Lunch
Lunch included in registration for all except non-member tour only registrations.
1:30pm - 2pm Walk to the Capitol
2pm - 3pm Capitol Tour
3pm - 5pm Meet with legislators

There is no cost for this event for WCA Members.

Advocacy Resources

Take Action! A Guide to Professional Counselor Advocacy
by WCA Advocacy Chair Stephanie Thorson-Olsen, Ph.D
ACA's Advocacy Page: https://www.counseling.org/advocacy/about-our-advocacy

ACA's Federal & State Legislative Issues: https://www.counseling.org/advocacy/federal-state-issues
ACA's Advocacy Resources: https://www.counseling.org/advocacy/resources

State Updates

This past April, WCA requested a proclamation from the governor recognizing the importance of professional counselors, mental health counseling, and Counseling Awareness Month. WCA continues to advocate for LPCs in Wisconsin and the importance of work that counselors provide our state.

Counseling Compact in Wisconsin Update

The Counseling Compact is an interstate compact that allows professional counselors who are licensed and residing in a compact member state to practice in other compact members states without the need for multiple licenses.

On December 6, 2023, Gov. Evers signed Senate Bill 196 into law, entering Wisconsin into the Counseling Compact. Senate Bill 196 is now 2023 Wisconsin Act 55.

You can visit the Counseling Compact Commission's website at the address below and review their FAQs regarding the compact. It will take some time for Wisconsin to set up the resources needed and we will share timeline updates as we receive information.

https://counselingcompact.org/faq/