Federal Funding for Counselors
In 2011, NBCC succeeded in including report language in the FY12 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which directed the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to add counselors to the Minority Fellowship Program. In September 2012, NBCC received the award to administer the MFP for the counseling profession.
In 2013, NBCC succeeded in including report language in the FY14 appropriations law directing the Health Resources Services Administration to expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program to include counselors. In April 2014, HRSA released a Request for Applications authorizing counseling programs to apply.
NBCC has advocated for counselor inclusion in the Indian Health Service Scholarship program and the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Trainee program. Counselors have also been eligible to participate in the HRSA National Health Service Corp for many years.
