This quarter, FMHCA’s Government Relations Committee (GRC) has continued to meet monthly, and 3 subcommittees have been meeting between monthly meetings.  Here are some of the issues the GRC has been addressing this quarter:

Collaboration with Florida Psychological Association on Reducing Targeted School Violence

A GRC subcommittee has been meeting with a committee of the Florida Psychological Association (FPA), conducting research and communicating with law enforcement agencies and the Florida Dept. of Education to explore the role that mental health professionals can play in reducing targeted school violence.  This process has also involved surveying our members who work in school settings.  We are developing a related training in cooperation with the US Secret Service, so be on the lookout for a related announcement soon!

Revision of Florida Administrative Code to Include a Rule on Safeguarding Raw Test Results and Materials

After conducting research, administering a membership survey, consulting with our lobbyist (Corinne Mixon), and obtaining approval from the FMHCA Board of Directors (BOD), the GRC has issued a recommendation to the 491 Board to consider adopting a new rule related to counselors and raw test materials, data, and protocols.  We believe that such a rule would make it easier for counselors to adhere to ethical and legal restrictions on releasing testing materials to clients, attorneys, and others, while also further codifying the rights of counselors to administer and interpret psychological tests, just as our colleagues in psychology do.  A copy of that recommendation is included in this issue (see page XX).

Florida Department of Education and Acceptance of Diagnoses and Recommendations from Licensed Counselors

A subcommittee of the GRC has been formed that is working on a project that will likely result in a recommendation to the Florida Department of Education to (1) revise the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation’s policy manual to remove the requirement that diagnoses from 491 board licensees be accepted for VR eligibility purposes only if the 491 board licensee is supervised by a psychologist or physician; and (2) clarify that accommodation recommendations from LMHCs will be accepted and considered in public schools.

Training Members to Meet with Legislators

A subcommittee of the GRC has developed a training on the dos and don’ts of meeting with legislators when lobbying for the profession or when introducing legislators to FMHCA as a resource.  That webinar will be broadcasted on 11/13/24, and you can register by clicking here.

Training Members on Lesser-Known Laws and Rules Impacting the Profession

A subcommittee of the GRC has been developing a training on laws and rules that very few 491 board licensees seem to be aware of but that can lead to harsh penalties.  More info coming soon!