FMHCA’s Government Relations Committee (GRC) is encouraging all FMHCA members to contact their legislators and schedule a meeting to introduce themselves and make legislators aware of FMHCA as a resource for mental health-related issues.  To learn how to meet with a legislator for an introduction, click here to watch a 1-hour training video.

What else has the GRC been working on?

• The GRC Chair addressed the 491 Board during it’s meeting on 12/4 in Tampa to read FMHCA’s recommendation to create a rule for 491 Board licensees that is similar to a rule for psychologists about the release of testing materials, answered questions from board members and legal counsel, and offered follow-up information about fair and equal access to tests.
• The GRC and FMHCA’s lobbyist are securing commitment form two legislators to file a bill that would rename “registered mental health counselor interns” as “registered associate mental health counselors” and redact a statute that requires registered interns in private practice settings to have a licensed mental health professional “on the premises” when providing clinical services.
• A GRC subcommittee is exploring potential action related to adding counselors to a list of professionals who can offer ESE evaluations for the schools.
• A GRC subcommittee is exploring potential action related to recommending that Florida’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation revise a policy that prohibits it’s employees from using a diagnosis provided by a LMHC, LCSW, or LMFT who is not supervised by a psychologist or physician.