Introduction

Counselors United for Legislative Engagement (CULE) is a coalition formed to foster collaboration among leading counseling organizations with a shared goal: to effectively address federal government issues that impact professional counselors and their clients. This alliance recognizes the importance of unified advocacy in shaping policies and regulations that influence the counseling profession at the national level.
 

Purpose of CULE  

The primary purpose of CULE is to bring together prominent counseling organizations to:  

• Collaborate on Legislative and Regulatory Issues: Review, monitor, and respond to federal legislative and regulatory developments that affect the counseling profession and clients.  

• Develop Strategic Advocacy Efforts: Craft coordinated strategies and tactics to influence policy decisions, ensuring that the interests of counselors and their clients are represented effectively.  

• Share Information and Resources: Utilize our collective platform to disseminate timely and accurate information among member organizations and the broader counseling community.  

• Enhance Legislative Engagement: Strengthen advocacy efforts by working cohesively to engage with federal policymakers, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders. 

Current Members of CULE  

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) 

American Counseling Association (ACA) 

National Career Development Association (NCDA) 

Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) 

American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) 

Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) 

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) 

National Association of Black Counselors (NABC) 

Importance of Collaboration in Federal Advocacy  

The counseling profession faces complex and evolving challenges at the federal level, including mental health policy affecting education, career, rehabilitation, insurance reimbursement, professional parity, access to care, veterans’ services, and more. Other issues of focus for CULE include funding for behavioral health services, accreditation standards, and regulation.   

Why Work Collectively?  

• Amplify Advocacy Power: A unified voice is more influential and capable of shaping policy outcomes than organizations acting individually. Collaboration ensures that the diverse perspectives within the counseling community are effectively communicated to policymakers.  

• Ensure Consistency and Cohesion: Coordinated efforts help prevent conflicting messages, streamline advocacy strategies, and present a cohesive front to federal entities. This increases the likelihood of favorable policy changes.  

• Leverage Diverse Expertise: Each member organization brings unique insights, resources, and relationships. Combining these strengths enhances the overall effectiveness of advocacy initiatives.  

• Protect the Profession and Clients: Federal policies can significantly impact the scope of practice, licensure, reimbursement, and access to mental health services. Working together ensures that counselors’ interests and clients’ needs are prioritized and protected.  

• Promote Informed Policy Development: Collaborative review of legislative issues ensures that policies are well-informed, balanced, and aligned with the best interests of the profession and the populations served.  

• Build a Stronger Advocacy Community: Collaboration fosters trust, shared goals, and a united professional community committed to advancing counseling at the federal level. 

Past Actions of CULE  

• Update on Executive Orders: Organizers introduced CULE to member organizations and provided a banner and news article to guide organizations and counselors to track White House executive orders that may impact the profession.  

• Department of Education Letter: On April 16, CULE sent a letter to Secretary Linda McMahon, highlighting the importance of Department of Education programs that support the mental health initiatives in our nation’s schools. The letter offered CULE’s expertise as she and her team make decisions about mental health funding and resources in schools.  

• Appropriations Meetings: NBCC led multiple in-person congressional meetings to discuss the impact of the appropriations process on community mental health, school counseling, substance use disorder services, and additional programs in the SAMHSA and HRSA portfolios.  

• Information Sharing: CULE provides consistent updates on the White House and congressional actions to member organizations to support their advocacy efforts and stakeholder updates. 

We Are United  

CULE embodies a strategic alliance dedicated to strengthening the counseling profession through effective federal advocacy. By working collaboratively, our member organizations can better influence legislation, shape policies, and ensure that the counseling community remains resilient, well-supported, and capable of providing essential services to diverse populations.   

Together, we will create a future in which counselors are relied upon by experts, the federal government, and communities nationwide and feel empowered to serve their clients and communities with their expertise, based on the needs of students, colleagues, and clients.