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Washington Mental Health
Counselors Association





                           

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POLICY AND PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY COmmittee (PPAC)

Committee Mission Statement


The Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee provides proactive leadership in the development of state-level mental health policies and statutes. WMHCA is responsive to the expressed needs of the profession and community-at-large by identifying and reducing barriers through collaborative relationships with stakeholders. We seek to elevate marginalized and underserved populations through active engagement via direct lobbying, advocacy, and activism.

Contact information


Chair: Jennifer Kennett Ph.D, MBA, LMHC

Vice-Chair: Casey Akerhielm LMHC

Sara Stewart is retained by WMHCA as our lobbyist.  She advocates for us during legislative session and keeps us up to date with information throughout the year.

If you are a member and would like to schedule a meeting with your Senator or Representatives Sara can help facilitate that.  Legislators are always interested in hearing about the issues that impact their constitutes.  Please reach out to Sara if you want to schedule something. 

MONTHLY LOBBYIST REPORTS

From the Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee

Licensure and Regulatory Updates

2025 Legislative Session Updates

Call to Action

2025 General Budget Overview

Washington State Legislature

Department of Health Rule Making

----WMHCA's Statement for proposed rule change to let work experience substitute practicum.

Legislative Advocacy Priorities Survey

WMHCA's Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee is seeking feedback on advocacy initiatives that are important to our membership. We have identified several areas that we believe may be valuable to work on in the coming legislative year. Please complete our short survey to help guide the work we do. If possible please complete the survey by November 5th, 2025 so that we can discuss it at our next committee meeting.  Click here to complete survey. 

2025-2026 Meeting Minutes

2024-2025 Meeting Minutes

2023-2024 Meeting Minutes

Only met every other month

Meeting Information

  • The PPAC committee meets the 1st Thursday of every month at 12:00 PM. 
  • Meeting Registration is Below

UUPCOMING PPAC MEETINGS AND OTHER EVENTS

  • WMCHA's Advocacy Day Information Session

    • 12/04/2025
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The Washington State Legislative Session will start this year on January 12, 2026.  WMHCA is gearing up for the beginning of session. We are planning several events for members to participate. These events prepare members to meet face-to-face with their senate and house state representatives to advocate for vital professional and mental health issues. WMHCA's Advocacy Day will be scheduled soon.  We will base the day depending on where bills are in the legislative process.

    The first event is the Advocacy Day Information session, scheduled for December 4, at 11:00 AM. This session is for members who have never attended WMHCA's Advocacy, or want a refresher. During the information session, there will be review of the legislative process and discussion on effective advocacy strategies for the counseling profession. Participants will also learn how to set up meetings with their legislators, what to expect during these meetings, and why personal meetings are important for professional advocacy. WMHCA is working on inviting a legislator to attend and discuss the value they see in meeting with their constituents.

    In January WMHCA will offer a Advocacy Day Prep Session.  The date is still TBD.  This session will cover specific talking points for Advocacy Dayand an overview of bills WMHCA is supporting and/or opposing. 

    Finally Advocacy Day will be scheduled in late January or early February 2026.  The Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee (PPAC) will head to Olympia to engage in the legislative process.  This will be an opportunity to meet with legislators and watch committee hearings.  WMHCA members can share  their collective voice about important bills and participate in the legislative process. You are not required to attend the first two events to attend Advocacy Day. You are also not required to be a member of the PPAC to attend.

    We hope you will join us.  

    Show details

  • Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee

    • 12/04/2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Get ready to make an impact! WMHCA’s Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee is gearing up to plan our priorities for the 2025/26 legislative session, and we need your voice. We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help identify the advocacy issues that matter to mental health counselors across Washington. This is a great opportunity to speak up about what you believe should be front and center in our advocacy work, connect with colleagues, and help shape the future of our profession. If you're ready to make a difference, we’d love to have you on board!

    Show details

  • Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee

    • 01/08/2026
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Get ready to make an impact! WMHCA’s Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee is gearing up to plan our priorities for the 2025/26 legislative session, and we need your voice. We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help identify the advocacy issues that matter to mental health counselors across Washington. This is a great opportunity to speak up about what you believe should be front and center in our advocacy work, connect with colleagues, and help shape the future of our profession. If you're ready to make a difference, we’d love to have you on board!

    Show details

  • Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee

    • 02/05/2026
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Get ready to make an impact! WMHCA’s Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee is gearing up to plan our priorities for the 2025/26 legislative session, and we need your voice. We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help identify the advocacy issues that matter to mental health counselors across Washington. This is a great opportunity to speak up about what you believe should be front and center in our advocacy work, connect with colleagues, and help shape the future of our profession. If you're ready to make a difference, we’d love to have you on board!

    Show details

  • Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee

    • 03/05/2026
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Get ready to make an impact! WMHCA’s Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee is gearing up to plan our priorities for the 2025/26 legislative session, and we need your voice. We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help identify the advocacy issues that matter to mental health counselors across Washington. This is a great opportunity to speak up about what you believe should be front and center in our advocacy work, connect with colleagues, and help shape the future of our profession. If you're ready to make a difference, we’d love to have you on board!

    Show details

  • Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee

    • 04/02/2026
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Get ready to make an impact! WMHCA’s Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee is gearing up to plan our priorities for the 2025/26 legislative session, and we need your voice. We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help identify the advocacy issues that matter to mental health counselors across Washington. This is a great opportunity to speak up about what you believe should be front and center in our advocacy work, connect with colleagues, and help shape the future of our profession. If you're ready to make a difference, we’d love to have you on board!

    Show details

  • Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee

    • 05/07/2026
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Get ready to make an impact! WMHCA’s Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee is gearing up to plan our priorities for the 2025/26 legislative session, and we need your voice. We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help identify the advocacy issues that matter to mental health counselors across Washington. This is a great opportunity to speak up about what you believe should be front and center in our advocacy work, connect with colleagues, and help shape the future of our profession. If you're ready to make a difference, we’d love to have you on board!

    Show details

  • Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee

    • 06/04/2026
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Get ready to make an impact! WMHCA’s Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee is gearing up to plan our priorities for the 2025/26 legislative session, and we need your voice. We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help identify the advocacy issues that matter to mental health counselors across Washington. This is a great opportunity to speak up about what you believe should be front and center in our advocacy work, connect with colleagues, and help shape the future of our profession. If you're ready to make a difference, we’d love to have you on board!

    Show details

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