Mission Statement

The California Counseling Association is the leading force for the advancement of excellence in the counseling and development of people across the lifespan and across the community. CCA is the association which provides professional identity and leadership through:

• An organized program of professional development
• Program advocacy
• An effective presence in the legislature

The Priority Aims of CCA's Programs:

1. Organized Program of Professional Development:
   1. Identify professional needs.
   2. Network internally and externally to locate or develop excellent resources and models to meet identified needs.
   3. Organize and coordinate programs to make these solutions easily available to members.
   4. Provide activities and services to help each member stay current in the field.
   5. CEU Workshops, "Compass" newsletter, annual convention, placement services, journal, monographs, and briefs, bank of experts, and information hotline are examples of professional development activities.
2. Program Advocacy:
   1. Be the vehicle for effective networking within the profession and in outreach, to related interest groups to develop and maintain a high degree of counselor visibility.
   2. Connect with and communicate to administrations, institutions and state departments. CCA's commitment to counseling and development and our interest in supporting institutional goals and programs that advance this commitment.
   3. Speak and act with the needs of our clientele put foremost rather than to "fit" them into the traditional structures when these structures do not serve to fill their needs be they educational, occupational, ethnic, cultural, emotional or life/work in nature.
3. Effective Presence in the Legislature:
   1. Acts to develop and support desirable legislation compatible with CCA's long and short term goals.
   2. Organized for contacting legislators and sponsors.
   3. Organized network of communication with CCA members.
   4. Promotes membership awareness of the legislative process.

Incorporated in 1967, CCA, a State Branch of the American Counseling Association (ACA), is a nonprofit tax exempt professional association. It serves its members to advance the field of counseling and development in the broad areas of mental health, career, and education.

CCA acts as the umbrella organization for 15 divisions and affiliates within the profession. Its program is carried on at local levels through area chapters designed to respond to local needs and situations.

CCA backs and supports its members as leaders and innovators in the counseling and development of their clients through community agencies, schools, government, private and pastoral practice, higher education, business and industry.
 

CCA
Means Action

At the state level, CCA is action oriented and is a strong and respected voice in Sacramento. CCA acts to support legislation needed to enhance the profession, strengthen the position of each individual counselor and protect clients through consumer advocacy. Legislative successes include: introduction of legislation to mandate counseling in the schools; passage of legislation providing a statutory definition of school counseling which requires that school districts claiming to have counseling programs must hire credentialed counselors; pursuit of legislation requesting local school and community college districts to use community service tax and adult education funds for counseling of their adult residents; support of legislation that would permit MFT Counselors to be paid by insurance companies for therapy and for them to participate under Short-Doyle. CCA maintains continual communication with state and local legislators and the press.

CCA
Means Professional Growth

Each year, CCA sponsors the most stimulating convocation of counseling, student personnel, mental health and guidance professionals in the Western States. Over 1,000 associates gather to hear the nation's foremost thought leaders and to participate in over 100 professional development sessions. Attendance at a CCA convention serves a dual purpose: it is instrumental in terms of the profession's continued growth, stability and visibility and it provides each individual counselor with a broad-based support and learning network. Regional and local professional growth workshops and seminars are sponsored to help each associate reach his or her full potential. Newsletters, a journal, monographs and briefs are published to keep members abreast of current research, legislation and trends within the profession. A scholarship program is available.

CCA
Means Security

Income protection and major medical coverage are available. Special discounts on auto purchases and leasing and TBA purchases. Also available are IRA and Keough plans and access to professional liability insurance. A professional Position Referral Service may be able to help you secure a position or find a suitable addition to your staff.

CCA
Means Commitment

If you are serious about your career in counseling, if you are committed to seeing your profession grow in stature and acceptance, if you desire fair financial compensation for your work, if you want acknowledgment of your profession's contribution to society, and if you desire every bit of knowledge necessary to help and guide your clients... you belong in the California Counseling Association. Why wait? Join today!

CCA
Vision Statement

The California Counseling Association (CCA) shall be the proactive voice for the counseling profession in the State of California. It shall provide leadership in

• advocating for the needs of its constituency,
• fostering equity and eliminating barriers to fulfilling human potential caused by social injustices,
• recognizing, valuing, and promoting diversity,
• developing and using effective interpersonal communication skills,
• promoting lifelong and self-directed learning for self and others, and
• enhancing the profession through sponsorship of professional development programs

CCA shall serve children, youth, and adults needing the developmental, preventative, and remedial services of professional counselors without regard to personal characteristics, socioeconomic status, or cultural differences.

CCA shall offer a wide array of counseling programs and services for California's diverse populations. It shall foster development of lifelong learning and provide professional development for members and the counseling profession with publications, workshops, seminars, conferences, and conventions.

CCA shall apply the following strategies to accomplish its vision.

• Advocate for the worth, dignity, and enhancement of potential of its constituency in a variety of public forums.
• Create a climate and culture for change.
• Ensure visibility of the profession through proactive public relations for the profession.
• Collaborate with associations, organizations, and agencies throughout the community, region, state, and nation in support of clientele served by its members.
• Provide a wide-range of professional development activities to ensure that its members maintain and enhance their knowledge and skills to effectively serve their counselees.
• Conduct research for the improvement of counseling and the profession
• Use current technology for member services and communications.