Prince Edward Island

Deborah Wood Salter
2009-2011

Deborah Wood Salter holds a Masters of Education (Counselling) from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia and a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics (Education) from the University of Prince Edward Island.

Deborah has been part of the counselling community in Prince Edward Island since 1982 and a member of the Prince Edward Island Counselling Association (PEICA) since 1982. At that time, she was the only member not employed in the school system so relied on the Canadian Counselling Association (CCA) for information on topics relevant to work and personal interests. She has been actively involved in the PEICA by either holding office or participating in working groups beginning in 1997 when planning started on the hosting of the CCA 2000 national conference. Deborah has been a member of the CCA since 1989 and has held the designation of Canadian Certified Counsellor, CCC, since 1996. 

Deborah was chosen by the PEICA to attend the November 2008 CCA National Symposium on Inter-Provincial Mobility within the Counselling Profession. She has since become the PEI representative on that Committee and attended the February 2009 meeting.

Deborah has been actively involved with the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada since 1989. In 1996 - 98 while serving as President of the local chapter, a campaign was launched to have the PEI Government approve and financially support four very expensive MS disease modifying drugs. Much of the burden of the campaign fell to the MS Chapter. In 1998, she also accepted the position of PEI Social Advocacy Representative for Atlantic Multiple Sclerosis Division and became the spokesperson for the MS Society and for all Islanders with MS. Largely through her efforts, the media began to support the campaign and awareness grew within the public and government of what MS is and who it affects. In October 1998 the government announced the creation of the PEI MS Medications Cost Assistance Program. She was recognized, provincially, regionally and nationally for the work. Deborah also served as a member of the Multiple Sclerosis Atlantic Board of Directors from

Deborah has been with Veterans Affairs Canada in Charlottetown since 1997.  She is currently a Senior Program Officer with the national Mental Health Directorate.

Director's Report - May 2010

Abstract

The membership of the PEI Counselling Association continues to rise slowly.  It is believed that a significant percentage of the counselling community belongs to the PEICA and the CCPA.  The PEICA Annual General Meeting will be held in early June and at that time, members will be provided with an update on the disappointing results we have had with the lobbying efforts towards regulation.  Given the recent changes in the education and health portfolios, it is anticipated that the request for regulation will once again, be ignored and shelved.  On the other hand, the PEICA members are becoming more aware of the need for certification CCC, particularly those who are counselling in the private sector.  We continue to vocalize our request whenever and wherever the opportunity presents.  Our energies, for the next month, will be concentrated on ensuring that the CCPA 2010 Conference will be a resounding success.

Connections and Communications

Again, it must be mentioned that the current President of the PEI CA, Arthur Adams, continues to regularly inform the members on issues that effect us as well as opportunities for professional development both on PEI and elsewhere in the country. 

The collaborative relationship we share with the PEI Social Workers and the Psychological Association of PEI is ongoing and planning is well underway for the what has become known as the tri-pd conference held in September each year.

It has been a decade since we hosted the CCPA National Conference. We are so looking forward to showing our visitors some real Island hospitality.  The dedication of the small Planning Committee is simply amazing!  Hardly a day goes by that there is not a flurry of emails discussing one point or another.  The support from CCPA is critical and the event organizer keeps us on track.

Concerns and Challenges

The concerns remain the same as identified in the November report:

• The Department of Education’s sudden decision a year ago to eliminate the provincial position of school counselling specialist.  Although there was reference made by the Minister of that time, that consideration would be given to re-instating position in the 2010 budget, to date, there has been no activity by the current Minister of Education to support that statement.
• The second challenge lies in the area of regulation.  We were hopeful after the October 2009 presentation to caucus but a short time later, the Minister changed.  There has been no communication with the current Minister.

The main challenge, at this time, is how to communicate with the current Minister and government?  These two concerns and the ensuring challenge will be topics for discusson at the PEICA annual meeting.

The CCC designation is becoming more highly valued by our members on PEI, all of whom have pursed their educations at off-Island universities.  The more recent graduates are aware that regulation is coming and are excited at the prospect.  They also recognize that they must maintain their CCC designation, particularly if they wish to provide services outside the school system.  The exercise on charting the Employment Assistance Programs certainly revealed the inconsistencies that exist across provinces.

Contributions and Celebrations and Coming Attractions

It is with a great deal of pride that I invite counsellors from every part of this great country to join us in Charlottetown, the home of Confederation, where we will exchange  knowledge, gain new experiences and share a social time.  The program looks wonderful and what better time to look at what is on the horizon for this great profession?