As the Chairman of your Government Relations Committee for OCA, I love that you all are engaging in conversation regarding legislative advocacy! All these questions (and more) are what we as professional counselors and stakeholders in the legislative process  must ask ourselves for ALL aspects of our work. 

Although I will not address all of questions posed through this thread, I did want to clarify this bill and the legislative process at hand, as well as invite all of you who are passionate about this topic or other legislative issues to contact me or any of the Governmental Relations Committee Members (most chapters/divisions have a representative that serves on OCA's government relations committee as a liaison between the committee and a division/chapter). 

 

1. Many have pointed this out, but practicing conversion therapy as a licensed counselor is a violation of our code of ethics, specifically as it relates to "doing harm" to clients as research has identified conversion therapy as holding great potential for harm (see ACAs website)

2. 6 cities in Ohio already ban the practice of conversion therapy with minors

 

3. The practice of conversion therapy with a minor in the state of Ohio by an individual that holds a license issued by the OCSWMFT board may result in board discipline, including license suspension. This was an initiative championed by Equality Ohio that OCA and the Government Relations Committee supported a couple years ago. Out of this initiative came a strong statement from the board regarding conversion therapy with its licensees. Equality Ohio provides information on this board statement as well as the boards official statement regarding the change: https://www.equalityohio.org/ohio-licensing-board-conversion-therapy-harmful-can-discipline-licensees/

 

4. The proposed bill is more expansive than the OCSWMFT board, but in essence, will place the boards current stance on conversion therapy with a minor into Ohio Revised Code language, ORC 4757.46. The current ramifications for practicing conversion therapy with a minor involve licensure discipline. If enacted in law, would involve both licensure discipline and legal discipline. I would encourage all of you to review the details and history of the bill here: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA133-SB-130

 

If you have any specific questions or concerns regarding OCA's legislative efforts through our Governmental Relations Committee, please feel free to reach out to me or one of our committee members! I love legislative advocacy and our hope within OCA is to connect you as a member to the process of legislative advocacy. 

 

Also, every spring we hold a Legislative Advocacy Day in Columbus Ohio at the State House where we engage in may aspects of the legislative process (Conversion Therapy was a heavy topic of discussion 2 years ago). Dont miss out on your opportunity to be proactive in the legislative process instead of just reactive to supporting or fighting legislation others propose. 

 

WITH ALL OF THIS SAID, I always encourage every individual to advocate and promote a legislative agenda that is congruent with YOUR BELIEFS, even if that goes in opposition of OCA. 

 

Peace be the journey,

Sean 

 

Sean Gorby, M. Ed, LPC, Certified Wellness Counselor

Doctoral Candidate 

The Ohio Counseling Association

Government Relations Committee, Chairman 

OCA is pleased to request nominations for the 2019 awards to be presented at AOCC.  

Nominations are due by midnight on Friday, August 31st.  Please send all nominations to Marlise Lonn at mlonn@bgsu.edu.  A copy of the nomination form is attached to this e-mail.

 

You can find the nomination form and a description of the 8 awards on the OCA webpage at https://www.ohiocounseling.org/awards

 

Awards include:

Charles "Chuck" Weaver Award: One who has shown long, consistent and distinguished service to the counseling profession and who has shown exemplary caring for people.

Dave Brooks Award: One who has demonstrated a willingness to serve and take responsibility, while creating new paths in the counseling profession.

Herman J. Peters Award: One who promotes innovative ideas and theories in the counseling field and has a significant impact on future trends.

Susan J. Sears Counselor of the Year Award: One who has gone beyond the call of duty by demonstrating exceptional service as a practitioner and/or counselor educator, through the application of OCA goals.

Research & Writing Award: One who has demonstrated extraordinary research and writing ability, as evidenced by journal publications for the counseling profession.

Public Policy & Legislation Award: One who has demonstrated excellent advocacy by engaging in meaningful lobbying on behalf of the counseling profession.

Graduate Student Award:  The purpose of this award is to recognize a counseling graduate student who has excelled: in service to OCA and the counseling profession; counseling-related extracurricular or co-curricular involvements; and has demonstrated excellence and commitment to the profession.  

Professional Leadership Award:  This award recognizes and honors persons who through their vision, leadership, and concern for others and the profession have strengthened, expanded, and enhanced the counseling profession within Ohio.

 

Sincerely,

Marlise Lonn

Chair, Ohio Counseling Association Awards Committee

mlonn@bgsu.edu

The OCA is soliciting Grad and Doc Student Poster Presentations for the All Ohio Counselors Conference November 6-8, 2019.

• ·         Deadline is Thursday, August 1, 2019
• ·         Posters will be presented on Wednesday, November 6th from 5:30-7:00pm during the welcome/networking reception
• ·         All presenters must register for the Conference
• ·         All presenters must be OCA members (student membership is $25)

Please share this with anyone you think can spread the word to all counseling students across Ohio!  CALL FOR PROPOSALS

www.AllOhioCC.org

Remember one of the great benefits of membership is our Career Opportunities Blog where we post job openings several times a week.  From internships to director positions, this is THE place to go to look for that new job!

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES PAGE

Sherrod Brown is cosponsoring legislation beneficial to Counselors.  Please review the information vi the links below and let your Federal Legislators know you want them to sign on to these bills!  Thanks to Vicki Kress for keeping us posted on this important information.

Here is the bill summary which will allow counselors to reimburse for Medicare which will drive up all counselors' salaries across the state and country:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/286/all-info  

More info:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/286/text 

There is also a congressional bill:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/945 

We need legislators to co-sponsor both bills- S. 286/H.R. 945. 

You can read more at the NBCC website, they are the ones on top of this- their voter voice system. 

https://www.votervoice.net/NBCCGrassroots/Campaigns/63024/Respond  

Check out our Events Calendar.  MVCA, NWOCA, and OCDA are all hosting CE Training Events in the coming months.  These are very impactful and affordable conferences to further your career and fill your brain and heart with springtime cheer.  The OCA Events Calendar is the place to start.

OCDA - May 31 @ Baldwin Wallace

NWOCA - May 17 @ Winebrenner Seminary in Findlay

MVCA - May 4 @ New Creations in Tipp City

President Adrianne Johnson was awarded the National Branch Advocacy Award at the ACA Annual Meeting in New Orleans.  This award is presented to the State or Branch Chapter that is seen as exemplary in their motivated efforts to protect clients from harm, to shape licensure language, and promote ethical clinical practice in their state.  The OCA was also awarded this honor in 2016, 2013 and 2011. 

Special thanks go out to the Government Relations Committee chaired by Sean Gorby.

Keep up the good work Ohio!

Register now for this groundbreaking training event at Cleveland State University.  Brought to you by the OCA, OSWA, and thr Ohio Psychological Association, this 15 CEU training will be held Friday and Saturday September 13-14 and the cost starts at $200.  Register Now!

We will also accept sponsors for this event from $300 university and government groups to the Title Sponsor at $2000.  Contact Bob for more info.

Congratulations to Dr. Jason McGlothlin who will assume the position of President Elect of the Ohio Counseling Association on July 1, 2019.