Oakland Counseling Association
December 2022 Newsletter
The Oakland Counseling Association is a non-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession.
Mission
The mission of the Oakland Counseling Association is to enhance the quality of life in
Oakland County by promoting the development of professional counselors, advancing the
counseling profession and using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect for human dignity and diversity.
Welcome Message
The holiday season can be a wonderful, happy, and joyous time for many - however, it can also be a very difficult time for some. As mental health professionals, we spend the better part of our day focusing on others and taking care of the mental health of those around us. It can be hard to leave our work at work and not take it home with us. We are not immune to mental illness and it's important that we remember to take care of ourselves.
As you head into the holidays, whether you have a break from school or days off from the office, take time to unplug from the office. Spend time with your family and friends, recharge your batteries, and think about what you're looking forward to in 2023.
I've pretty much given up on setting New Year's Resolutions myself as I get easily distracted and never remember to focus on those resolutions. Instead, I've started making yearly "bucket" lists, typically with my kids. We should probably name it something other than a "Bucket List" but "To Do List" just doesn't quite have the same ring. I set personal goals, professional goals, and family goals - making sure to be realistic and fun!!
In essence, whatever you do, do something for YOU!!
Happy Holidays everyone!!
~Amanda Gohl
OCC Pathways, Programs, and Connections Event 10/4
64 counselors descended upon the Auburn Hills Oakland Community College campus in October for a half-day of learning around postsecondary opportunities and getting to know the campus.
Shared Resources Folder - Includes slides and handouts from presentations on:
- OCC Academic Updates
- Dual Enrollment
- Engineering, Manufacturing, and Industrial Technology Programs
Implicit Bias Training 10/6
This free event for OCA members ensured participants received required training according to Michigan Public Health Code General Rules (R 338.7004) for licensed counselors.
Opportunities in the Military Event 11/28
This free event for OCA members ensured participants received the 5 required Military SCECHs needed every renewal cycle.
Shared Resources Folder - Includes slides and handouts from presentations on:
- Air Force
- Michigan Air National Guard
- Michigan Army National Guard
- Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC)
- NROTC Minority Serving Institution Scholarship Reservation (MSISR)
- Navy Warrior Challenge
- Women in the Navy
2022-2023 Mini-Grant Program Awards
All eight (8) awards have now been distributed to counseling programs to support the following projects:
- Large SPOT emotion plushies to support SEL curriculum delivery in elementary schools
- Counselor Cafe supplies to promote student engagement with counselors in high school
- Bear Den calming room furniture and supplies to expand support for high school student self-regulation
- Mentoring program supplies and resources to promote new high school student connections with Ukrainian refugees
- Counselor Corner calming room furniture and supplies to expand support for high school student self-regulation
- Furniture and supplies to create a new calming room to support high school student self-regulation
- Fidgets and calm-down cards to support lunch bunch session delivery for middle school students
- ASCA membership, ASCA Anxiety & Stress Management Certification Course, and books to support counselor professional growth and development of anxiety small groups in high school
Membership Stats
- 149 high school counselors
- 4 junior high school counselors
- 36 middle school counselors
- 1 K-8 school counselor
- 9 elementary school counselors
- 7 graduate students
- 5 retired counselors
- 15 postsecondary counselors
- 1 clinical counselor
- 3 administrators
- 1 teacher w/ NT endorsement
- Several other unique roles as well!
Membership Information
Please share with any counselor colleagues who may not be an OCA member yet!
Step 1: Complete the Membership Google Form [Every individual must complete this form, even if a group payment is made]
Step 2: Pay for Membership through PayPal (credit card accepted) or by mail
COST
- Individual counselor - $25
- Graduate school student - $10
- Retired counselor - $10
**Please note that we no longer have department membership pricing. Only individual memberships. However, group payments for an entire department can be accepted by contacting Randy Maddock, OCA Treasurer.**
BENEFITS OF OCA MEMBERSHIP
- FREE or reduced price professional learning opportunities
- All online professional learning events are FREE for members
- FREE SCECH processing for all events
- Identify as a professional counselor (solidarity)
- Opportunities to network and connect with other mental health professionals
- Advocacy and support for counselors
- Eligible for mini-grant opportunities
- Monthly prize drawings
OTHER NOTES
- Membership is valid from September 1 through August 31 each school year
- Membership is open to all school and private practice counselors
- Membership is welcome for counselors outside of Oakland County
New OCA Board Members Needed
- Elementary School Counselor Representative
- Middle School Counselor Representative
- High School Counselor Representative
- Private School Counselor Representative
- Member-at-Large
Deadline for nominations is March 3, 2023
Counselor of the Year
The Counselor of the Year award is intended to celebrate one of our exemplary counselors who has made a positive impact in their community.
- Counselor of the Year Award - Nomination Google Form
- PDF copy of full nomination form to review ahead of submission
Terry Hood Lifetime Achievement
The Terry Hood Lifetime Achievement award is intended to celebrate a retiring or recently retired counselor who has contributed to their community and the counseling profession.
- Terry Hood Lifetime Achievement Award - Nomination Google Form
- PDF copy of full nomination form to review ahead of submission
The College Search Process
With high caseloads, it's hard to have genuine, focused, individual conversations about the college search process and finding the right match. There are so many resources out there so I figured I'd share a couple of my favorites!!
- Dr. Steven R. Antonoff has written several books and one I really like to flip through is The College Finder. He's developed a website where you can still find all the fun lists like "Best Colleges with Marching Bands" but it also has a college search and scholarship search engine: https://www.collegexpress.com/
- His book, College Match, is another great resource for those who like to use worksheets and want to spend more time focusing on the application process and finding the right fit. His website https://schoolbuff.com/ has digital worksheets that students can even share with parents and counselors, if they'd like.
- I like to use the Fiske Guide to Colleges as well, especially the "Overlap" section to help students think about other colleges, similar to the ones they're thinking about.
~ Amanda
It Began With OCA...
If you haven't yet taken some time to read the 2022 State of School Counseling Support in Oakland County report that was released and shared last week, I would encourage you to do so going into the new year. In addition to providing some history and context, it demonstrates how advocacy and intentional effort can lead to significant, measurable changes over time. It showcases where we've been and where we are now in terms of school counselor support. Furthermore, it is my hope that it also serves as a basis for conversation around what additional support or advocacy might be needed moving forward as a profession in Oakland County.
I want to close with emphasizing the role that you can play both individually, and collectively, as members of OCA. Your participation and feedback in the needs assessments referenced in the report served as the foundational data we pointed to in advocating for change. Looking ahead, we need more counselors whose passion inspires them to assist in leadership and advocacy efforts on behalf of our larger cohort.
To this end, as mentioned further up in the newsletter, we need more representation on our OCA board! We currently have a relatively small group that includes experienced (7+ years) and newer board members. If you are looking for a meaningful way to contribute to experiences and outcomes for your counseling colleagues, this is a great way to grow in your own leadership and advocacy skills. Reach out to any current OCA board member to learn more (contact info at the bottom of the newsletter) and consider filling out the interest form above.
~ Sean
Register! February Online College Event 2/10
Last year we had over 80 counselors in attendance at our full-day virtual college event. This year's events will be another great opportunity to earn a chunk of College SCECHs toward your renewal requirements.
Event Details
Date: February 10, 2023
Time: 8:00-11:30am
SCECHs: 3 College
Cost: Free event for OCA members including SCECH processing! $10 registration fee for non-OCA members (includes SCECH processing).
Steps to Register:
1) Complete the Zoom registration form.
2) ONLY FOR NON-OCA MEMBERS: Complete the $10 registration payment on the OCA website.
**PLEASE NOTE: You will not receive the Zoom access link immediately. Once your OCA membership or registration fee payment is confirmed your registration will be approved and you will receive the Zoom access link.
Save the Date! March Online College Event 3/1
Event Details
Date: March 1, 2023
Time: 11:30am-3:00pm
SCECHs: 3 College
Cost: We anticipate this will be another free event for OCA members!
Each month the OCA conducts drawings for giveaways for current members as a small token of our appreciation for the important and challenging work you do as counselors. You must be a current OCA member in order to be eligible.
September, October, November, AND December Winners!
We apologize for the delay in getting these out but hopefully it will be a nice surprise before the holidays. Congratulations to the following winners!!
September Newsletter Winner: Nichole Allen (Stoney Creek High School)
October Membership Winner: Fawn Bullock (Lake Orion HS)
November Membership Winner: Rachel Sokol (Isbister Elementary School/P-CCS)
December Membership Winner: Jane Hart (Northville Public Schools)
Please keep an eye out for an Amazon Gift Card email from Amanda Gohl. It's not spam!!
Oakland Counseling Association
Email: oaklandcounselingassociation@gmail.com
Website: www.oaklandcounselors.org
Phone: ------------------------
Twitter: @OCACounseling