Dear students and site supervisors of NCCU Counseling students,
We hope that this message finds you well - and in good spirits. We are experiencing new and unprecedented events, and as counselors (or aspiring counselors), we strive to remain calm, flexible, and exercise good self-care.
We have received many calls and messages related to concerns over the completion of Practicum and Internship. We understand that there are many uncertainties, and the issues around supervised clinical hours are evolving on nearly a daily basis.
This is what we know for certain:
North Carolina Central University has indicated:
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If a clinical placement site is open, the student is allowed to report to the site. This obviously would be dependent upon the comfort level of the student.
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If a clinical placement site is closed, the instructor (i.e., university faculty supervisor) needs to work with the site to determine the best course of action for the student.
Our accreditation body, CACREP, has indicated:
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It is a continued expectation that Counselor Education Programs will meet the CACREP standards.
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Programs can provide accommodations for their students under extenuatingcircumstances, but CACREP does not have a formal stance regarding the evolving issues around supervised clinical hours. The solutions developed need to address educational, licensure, and employment considerations.
Please understand that the Counselor Education faculty are working to address individual students’ needs as well as maintain standards set for counselor training - all in a thoughtful, ethical, and respectful manner. We believe that many decisions will need to be made in the coming weeks, and we will keep you informed.
In the immediate future, university faculty supervisors will be in contact with site supervisors to discuss individual student and site needs. At this point, we are attempting to collect information about current site activities and hours.
We will work collaboratively to problem-solve our best solutions given this unfolding situation...we are committed to the safety, well-being, and health of you, your sites, and our clients.
Sincerely,
