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Counselors praise THECB implementation of Senate Bill 646 expansion to loan-repayment program
Summary
The Texas Counseling Association told the committee it supports the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s implementation of Senate Bill 646 changes that expand loan-repayment eligibility for mental-health professionals serving underserved areas.
Noah Jones, public policy analyst for the Texas Counseling Association, praised the Higher Education Coordinating Board for implementing recent statutory changes to the state loan-repayment program for mental-health professionals.
Jones told the committee the association represents counselors in schools, community health centers, colleges and private practice, and said licensed professional counselors are the largest group of mental-health providers in Texas, particularly important in underserved and rural counties. “We applaud the Higher Education Coordinating Board for their implementation of Senate Bill 646,” Jones said, adding that the revised rules will conform to the bill’s intent and expand eligibility for the loan-repayment program.
Jones urged the board to ensure the program is ready for newly eligible applicants when applications open and said the association looks forward to promoting the program to prospective applicants.
Action: This testimony was part of the public-comment period and did not require action by the committee.
