Question 12. " What members are responsible for getting the LPC licensure situation sorted out with the state several years ago? This is a main reason I became a MMHCA member. I'm trying to sort out who is who?! I've appreciated the advocacy."

Answer: Literally 100s of individuals over many years helped get PA96 codified into law in 2019; it was not the work of any one small group of people. MMHCA, however, did play a vital role in that member dues and revenue from human trafficking training funded the lobbyist who played a big part in getting HB4325 codified into law. There were many who actively worked on getting the law passed, including MMHCA, numerous mental health partners, MCA, 1000s of LPCs, the HB4325 sponsor State Representative Aaron Miller, and strong supporter Representative Isaac Robinson.

The volunteer MMHCA Board members at the time included Dr. Napoleon Harrington, Dr. Katherine James, Cindy Goldman, Dr. Joy Creel, Amy Romano, Raeleen Davis, and Dr. Sue Schaeffer, to name just a few. Andrea Cascarilla was MMHCA’s Acuitas lobbyist at the time. Mr. Blundo was the paid executive director and the only paid person at MMHCA besides the bookkeeper, Theresa Mike - all others were volunteering their time. Those are just some of the people - there are many more people from around Michigan who helped make it possible who are not named here.

The MMHCA continues advocacy today. Acuitas (lobbyist) is contracted with MMHCA and we meet regularly with our lobbyist. We are in discussion about the unlimited number of years insurance companies can clawback payments from providers and also about the Counseling Compact to name just two things. (The DBA Michigan LPCs group does not have a contract with a lobbyist, though they falsely claim Acuitas is their lobbyist on the website they are using.)