Advocacy
WAMFT’s Advocacy Network collaborates with policy and regulatory stakeholders in Washington state to protect the rights and needs of MFTs in Washington. WAMFT members are empowered to bring their voice to the legislative process through our annual Day on the Hill and other advocacy initiatives. Learn more about our current Advocacy Goals and Legislative Priorities here.
Advocacy Benefits
-
Telemedicine Pay Parity
-
Keeping Licensure Costs Down
-
Increasing MFT Visibility
-
Ensuring Sustainability & Longevity
-
LGBTQIA+ Rights
-
Standing against Racism
-
And more....
Ashley Lacy, LMFT: Legislative Co-Chair
Ashley Haynes-Gibson, M.A., LMFTA: Legislative Co- Chair
Advocacy Fund
Contribute to the WAMFT Advocacy Fund and support advocacy activities, education, and contract lobbyist Lewis Consulting LLC who advocate on behalf of ALL MFTs in WA State.
​
WAMFT is not a 501c3, so donations are not deductible as a charitable contribution for income tax purposes. Payments to the WAMFT Advocacy Fund may be deductible as a business expense. However, IRS regulations limit the deduction based on the association's lobbying expenses. Consult your tax adviser regarding issues with tax deductions.
Advocacy Goals
These represent the goals for WAMFT's advocacy work spanning several years as approved by WAMFT board and in conjunction with AAMFT.
Tier 1
Actively Managed
​
-
Preserve the validity of the MFT credential as a unique license in the field of mental health
-
Monitor fees for licensure via DOH
-
Health Care Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS)
-
-
Licensure reciprocity
-
Portability
-
-
Increase visibility of MFTs statewide
-
Build partnership with lawmakers and stakeholders
-
Preserve Medicaid services
-
Healthcare known provider training
-
Certification
-
Rates
-
Navigator​​​
-
Tier 2
Monitored or Research
​
-
Mental health crisis response and implementation
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Tier 3
Deferred to Next Biennium -TBD
​
-
Autism Diagnosis Privilege for MFTs
-
do additional research and potentially provide educational
services
-
-
MFTs in schools
-
State loan forgiveness inclusion
-
Intern pay
Advocacy & Legislative Updates Blog
AAMFT Advocacy & Practice Protection Fund
.jpg)
AAMFT monitors federal legislation and policies that affect the marriage and family therapy profession. For recent updates on advocacy initiatives, please take a look at AAMFT's Advocacy Blog.
Visit AAMFT's Federal Advocacy webpage to access fact sheets and useful resources on topics such as Veterans Access to MFTs, HIPAA, Medicare, and more.
​
AAMFT PRACTICE PROTECTION FUND
​
AAMFT continues to strive for the sustainability, recognition, and protection of the Marriage and Family Therapy field at the federal level while also supporting state advocacy efforts. We are asking for your continued support by donating to the Practice Protection Fund (PPF), which is used to continue paying for the state lobbying efforts in your state. As the PPF continues to receive donations, we can continue the advocacy efforts in Washington and beyond.