Legislative Updates
February 2021
Legislative links, information and opportunities from state to federal . . .
Maryland General Assembly (442nd session)
To connect to the Senate President and House Speaker, further explore House & Senate Standing Committees, Joint Standing Committees and MD Manual On-Line, click on: https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/07leg/html/ga.html.
117th Congress
To connect to the House of Representatives, Leadership, Committees, Activities and more: https://www.house.gov/.
- To connect to the Senate for Leadership, Committees, Legislation and more: https://www.senate.gov/
To get the latest from the White House and learn more about our 46th president of the United States, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., our 49th vice president, Kamala Harris, and the growing number of Executive Orders, memorandums and proclamations: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
- The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman
Maryland Career Development Association (MCDA)’s national and state legislative direction (or its particular cause or policy) has been and will continue to be linked to its affiliations. As a MCDA member, you also may enjoy membership in all three affiliate groups NCDA, ACA and MCA, in only one more or in just two of the three. However, your membership $dollars$ in MCDA links you to the advocacy efforts of all three groups.
Current NCDA Federal Legislation and Policy Issues
https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/govtrelations
Three key federal issues that will impact career counselors:
- Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization - Workforce Investment Act
Workforce Investment Act Reauthorization - Appropriations for the Departments of Labor and Education
Appropriations
Each issue includes policy provisions, program developments or spending cuts that will directly affect career counselors across the country.
Also see pdf handouts:
- 2/23/21 Weekly Washington Update
- 2/16/21 Weekly Washington Update
- 2/8/21 Weekly Washington Update
- U.S. Congressional Apprenticeship Act Support
- U.S. Congressional Relaunching Workforce Act Support
Current ACA Federal Issues
https://www.counseling.org/government-affairs/federal-issues
- ACA'S RESPONSE TO THE OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT'S MOA WITH ICE
- MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT
- FUNDING FOR SCHOOL COUNSELING
- OPIOID ADDICTION
- THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND COUNSELORS
- FEDERAL GRANTS FOR COUNSELING
Also see pdf handout:
Current MCA State & Federal Issues
Advocacy Day, Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Summarized
(from Compass Points, Fall 2020 issue)
- Letter from the President
Carol ZA McGinnis PhD, SIP, BC-TMH, NCC, LCPC
“We are passionate about advocacy that will empower the voiceless and the oppressed in our world and want to be a part of positive change to the poor, the disenfranchised, and the mentally ill.”
“Please know that MCA cares about you and your family at this difficult time and welcomes ideas for advocacy that comes with this investment in our political system.”
- Committee and Division News
Advocacy Committee https://www.mdcounseling.org/Advocacy
Currently, the Advocacy Committee is following and preparing information for MCA members on numerous bills being proposed and worked on in the US Congress. The MCA website will be updated to provide summaries and possible action steps. A brief overview of the bills we are posting are concerning:
- Funding for safety and health risk programs for COVID-19
- Mental health services for children separated from parents at the border
- Mental health screening for children entering foster care
- Trauma support and mental health services for children and youth in educational settings
- Department of Veterans Affairs fulfilling shortages with licensed mental health professionals
- Research on mental health disparities of minorities
Also see pdf handout:
To become legislatively active with either the national or state levels
or with both levels
or if you have any questions,
please contact
MCDA’s Legislative Chair at:
MCDA.Legislative@MDCareers.org.