Rachel Buddin-Young – Co-Chair Legislative and Public Policy Chair |
| What interests you in becoming a Board member? | |
| I would like to join the Iowa chapter and get involved. I have recently relocated to Iowa and just finished my term on the Alaska State Board of LPC’s. | |
| What strengths will you bring to the IMHCA board? | |
| Board experience, strong knowledge in ethics, statutes and regulations, multi-state connections and a strong desire to be involved and make a difference where I live. | |
| Please share about your community involvement experience (include religious, civic & membership/volunteerism): | |
| Current: VP, Alaska EMDR Network Prior: Alaska State Board of LPC’s, Board Member; Miss Alaska Volunteer Program, Board Member; additional volunteering through local church and military affiliations and organizations. |
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| What motivates you as a volunteer? | |
| Making a difference in the community and lives of those I serve. |
| Please list any current or past held board positions or offices. | |
| Current: VP, Alaska EMDR Network Prior: Alaska State Board of LPC’s, Board Member; Miss Alaska Volunteer Program, Board Member |
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| Share about your passion for IMHCA’s cause. | |
| I have a strong passion to make a difference in the state where I live and continued support for those in the mental health field. |
| What interests you in becoming a Board member? | |
| I am currently the board member for student representative. I am looking forward to moving forward more with my professional duties since I graduated Drake University. I have enjoyed being on the board already but am looking forward to hopefully help IMHCA get more members to assist with all the updates that we are trying to do to help our professions! | |
| What strengths will you bring to the IMHCA board? | |
| charismatic networking collaboration commitment innovation |
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| Please share about your community involvement experience (include religious, civic & membership/volunteerism): | |
| IMHCA for several years BIAIA for several years Suicide prevention committee and many more |
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| What motivates you as a volunteer? | |
| Making a difference in people’s lives |
| Please list any current or past held board positions or offices. | |
| Student Representative #2 | |
| Share about your passion for IMHCA’s cause. | |
| Mental health is vitally important and IMHCA takes care into making sure the people who endlessly help our people in their lives being compensated for our work and making sure it is known of the benefits of engaging in therapy. |
| What interests you in becoming a Board member? | |
| As a counselor in training and advocate on the importance of mental health in the Latino Community, I found this to be an opportunity to learn more about advocacy and advocate in a larger scale. In addition, during residency in BVU, it was stated that the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development was in need and was a great opportunity for individuals to join. As a result, I am seeking to become a member and begin the journey of advocacy. | |
| What strengths will you bring to the IMHCA board? | |
| Having understanding of the importance of advocacy and the need in the Latino/Hispanic community, I believe that I can bring in knowledge on the subject. In addition, I am bilingual and have been advocating on the importance of mental health in my community and have found that there is a need for bilingual counselors and education. | |
| Please share about your community involvement experience (include religious, civic & membership/volunteerism): | |
| I am not a member of an organization that advocates or educates on mental health or the importance of counseling. But I have worked for my community Public Health department and volunteered in the Hospital as an interpreter and found the need of education and bilingual services for Latinos/Hispanics. As a result, I aid those interested finding mental health services in their native language and share what I am learning while pursuing my bachelors and masters in psychology/clinical mental health counseling. In hope to bring awareness and education on mental health. | |
| What motivates you as a volunteer? | |
| Bringing awareness and education are the reasons that motivate me as a volunteer. While volunteering, I found there is a dire need of services for individuals of other cultures and need for professionals to become culturally competent. As a result, while volunteering, I learned of the need in the community. |
| Please list any current or past held board positions or offices. | |
| N/A | |
| Share about your passion for IMHCA’s cause. | |
| My passion for IMHCA’s cause is that the overall impact is meeting the professional needs of all mental health counselors. The support and continuing education that this organization provides is of great support for mental health counseling professionals and counselors in training. |