Oakland Counseling Association
September 2022 Newsletter
The Oakland Counseling Association is a not-for-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.
September Highlights
- 2022 - 23 Membership Renewal
- ACE Mentor SE Michigan
- Interested in becoming a Board Member?
- Upcoming Professional Learning
- Resources from PD Events
- Mini-Grants
Welcome Back, Counselors!
As we approach the start of this school year, we are excited, energized, and recharged to be back in person. However, we also know that the challenges in our county are still very fresh. Here is a unique perspective compiled by the NY Times from 362 counselors.
Know that you are valued by your peers in the counseling community and by the counselors serving on the Oakland Counseling Association board. Thank you for being you!
Happy reading!
OCA Membership
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP OR BECOME A MEMBER NOW!
Are you looking for relevant, but inexpensive, professional development options?
Look no further, because becoming a member of the Oakland Counseling Association is the perfect answer. You will be joining a group dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Oakland County by promoting the development of professional counselors, advancing in the counseling profession, and using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect for human dignity and diversity. For a small fee you can become a member, and be eligible to attend a variety of workshops at a discount.
**Please note that we no longer have department memberships. Only Individual Memberships.**
Step 1: Complete the Membership Google Form
Step 2: Pay for Membership through PayPal (credit card accepted) or by Mail
COST
- Individual counselor - $25
- Graduate school student - $10
- Retired counselor - $10
BENEFITS OF OCA MEMBERSHIP
- FREE or reduced price professional learning opportunities (min. four in-person events)
- All online professional learning events are FREE for members (min. one half day and one full day event)
- FREE SCECH processing for all events (approx. 20 SCECHs for 22 -23 school year)
- 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
So don’t delay and sign up for your Oakland Counseling Association membership today!
New to OCA?
Our goal is to continue to expand our outreach, help connect counselors and provide professional development that is essential for continued growth. SCECHs are provided as well as certificates for LPC required professional learning.
You do not have to live or work in Oakland County to be a member. All Counselors are welcome!!
OCA Member Giveaways!
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.
Upcoming Professional Learning Events
2022-2023 Oakland Counseling Association Board: Calendar of Events
OCA Board Members are finalizing the professional development calendar for 2022-2023.
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Career Pathways and Connection with Oakland CC
SCECH's: 1.5 College / 1.5 Career
8a-12p
$10 for Members
$20 for Non-Members
Thursday, October 6, 2022
OCC Implicit Bias Training
SCECH's: 2 General
$10 for Non-Members
9a-11a
Friday, December 9, 2022
SCECH's: 3 College
11:30a-3p
FEBRUARY: Date TBD
Virtual - Postsecondary Focused
SCECH's: 5
8a-3p: Multiple Sessions
Friday, March 10, 2023
SCECH's: 3
8a-11a
Friday, April 28, 2023
Year End Awards and Professional Development
Lunch Included
Time: TBD
ACE MENTOR SE MICHIGAN
Registration is OPEN for the 2023 program and will close on December 1, 2022
About ACE Mentor SE Michigan
High school students in the Detroit area can now benefit from a nationwide program designed to introduce them to the wide range of career opportunities open to young people in architecture, construction, engineering, and related areas of the building design and construction industry. At weekly meetings, student teams work directly with professionals from leading area firms, who volunteer their time to mentor the teams as they design hypothetical projects, tour local construction sites, and visit architectural, engineering and construction offices.
For students, it’s a unique chance to discover and develop new skills, solidify future goals and get on track to exciting, rewarding careers. In addition, many students form positive relationships with industry professionals who can provide important references for obtaining college admissions, scholarships, internships and full-time employment.
Our Team Projects
Students in the ACE program typically work closely with their mentors on projects that provide hands-on experience in solving the types of design, engineering and construction challenges industry professionals confront every day. The teams often learn how to use advanced computerized tools, such as AutoCAD, while special exercises and activities illustrate the industry’s demand for young people skilled in math, physics, economics, art and other disciplines. Many ACE affiliates culminate their program year with special events at which teams present their concepts to mentors, families, teachers and community leaders.
The SE Michigan 2023 “ACE Mentor – Student Program” begins in January 2023 with three options available for participation. Students from Oakland County School Districts have participated and we look forward to increasing the opportunity for more of your students this year!
PLEASE CHOOSE ONE OF THE “SUB REGION” OPTIONS BELOW DURING REGISTRATION.
Option #1 – Hybrid Program* – LTU, Southfield
(Vaccination is strongly recommended for students. Masking will follow community recommendations, government, school, and site requirements.)**
Lawrence Technological University
21000 West Ten Mile Road
Southfield, MI, 48075-1058
Option #2 – Hybrid Program* – UDM, Detroit
(Vaccination is strongly recommended for students. Masking will follow community recommendations, government, school, and site requirements.)**
University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Road
Detroit, MI 48221-3038
Option #3 – 100% Virtual
*The Hybrid Program is one in-person session per week at the designated location and one virtual session per week.
** Vaccination and mask policies for each Hybrid Program University location apply to ACE Mentor Program participants, students, mentors and visitors. ACE Mentor of SE Michigan will be monitoring vaccination and mask requirements of the University locations and will notify registered participants of changes.
To register, please follow these instructions:
- Visit app.acementor.org/login
- At the bottom of the login, click “Register as Student” or “Register as a Mentor”
- Select “SE Michigan” when asked for affiliate name.
- Select Sub-Region and choose one of the three 2023 program options.
Registration is OPEN for the 2023 program and will close on December 1, 2022
- Elementary School Counselor Representative
- Middle School Counselor Representative
- Private School Counselor Representative
- Member-at-Large
Resources from Completed OCA Events
Mini-Grants
2022-2023 Mini-Grant Program Application Open!
The OCA mini-grant program is back for 2022-2023 and the application is now open! The priority application process ended in May, 2022, however there are still a few $250 grants that are available.
2021-2022 Mini-Grant Highlights
Chippewa Valley High School - 9th Grade Student Resources
Mini-grant recipient: Jennifer Frolock, Chippewa Valley High School
To support connection while returning to school returning from the pandemic and a year of virtual learning, during the orientation locker scavenger hunt incoming 9th grade students found resource cards, pencils, and positive message magnets waiting for them. Resource cards listed a variety of support options for students including a QR code for making an appointment with their counselor. These resource cards and pencils were distributing to all 575 ninth grade students and contributed toward increasing connectivity, relationships, and community during a difficult transition period.
Oakland Counseling Association
Email: oaklandcounselingassociation@gmail.com
Website: www.oaklandcounselors.org
Phone: ------------------------
Twitter: @OCACounseling