Commitment to our Strategic Plan
As a non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization, ACES remains steadfast in its commitment to our strategic plan which includes the focus areas of diversity, resources, graduate student inclusion, social justice and advocacy, and anti-racism. Our mission is to enhance the practice of professional counseling through the promotion of culturally relevant and effective counselor education and supervision. This mission will not waiver despite our evolving landscape.
ACES acknowledges the recent executive orders may have a significant impact on our members, the counseling profession, and the diverse populations we serve. Upholding the dignity of all humans is core to the counseling profession, and we view any changes that could restrict these rights with deep concern. We recognize that many faculty, students, and clients are feeling at risk more than ever before and ACES is investigating possible avenues of support for our members. We also acknowledge the importance of emotional support during this time and encourage you to connect with your support systems as we all work to adjust to these frequent and ongoing challenges.
While maintaining our non-partisan status, we encourage our members to continue their crucial advocacy work, amplifying voices that have been historically silenced and supporting clients and students from all backgrounds and identities. We continue to align ourselves with our professional values in “honoring diversity and embracing a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of people within their social and cultural contexts” (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014, p.3). As ACES members, we must stay true to our counselor professional identity and uphold the attitudes, values, and beliefs of our profession. We will continue these practices now and throughout future events, including at our Fall 2025 ACES National Conference.
We are grateful for your unwavering dedication to advancing counselor education and supervision while striving for an equitable society for all.