The Wyoming Counseling Association
a branch of the American Counseling Association
PROUDLY SUPPORTING WYOMING COUNSELORS
Meet our
Legislative Advocate
As part of its commitment to supporting the counseling profession in Wyoming, WCA retains a legislative advocate who monitors policy developments and provides updates on issues that impact counselors, clients, and behavioral health services across the state. In alignment with 501(c)(3) guidelines, this work focuses on education, relationship building, and ensuring policymakers understand the role counselors play in supporting the well-being of Wyoming communities. Member support helps make it possible for WCA to stay engaged in policy discussions and keep the counseling profession represented throughout the legislative process.
Lindsay Simineo
Executive Director
Wyoming Behavioral Health Alliance
Since 2017, Lindsay Simineo has been working in public policy at federal, state, and local levels to further and promote the interests of behavioral health across Wyoming. During that time, Lindsay has worked on licensing standards, new certifications for professionals, criminal justice reform, mental health and telehealth parity, collaborative care, as well as working with vulnerable populations.
In 2022, Lindsay identified that more mental health organizations needed to be involved in the legislative process and for several reasons, did not have the capacity to be. It is through her determination to build statewide efforts, and the hard work of the Board of Directors that the Wyoming Behavioral Health Alliance came to be.
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Lindsay has received recognition over the years, being the recipient of the 2020 American Counseling Association State Branch Award, the 2023 Wyoming Counseling Association award for Human Rights, and is a 2023 Alumni of Leadership Wyoming.
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Lindsay holds a Bachelors of Social Work degree from the University of Wyoming, and a Masters of Arts in Counseling from Denver Seminary. She currently holds her professional counseling license and continues to work in private practice in Cheyenne. She has called Wyoming home most of her life and is happy to share Wyoming with her husband and two children.
Advocacy & Public Policy Engagement
Wyoming Counseling Association
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Wyoming Counseling Association (WCA) is committed to educating policymakers and the public about the importance of mental health services and the counseling profession. WCA monitors legislation, provides information to lawmakers, and shares the perspectives of counselors who serve communities across Wyoming.
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Our advocacy efforts focus on promoting access to quality mental health care, supporting the counseling workforce, and advancing policies that strengthen the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Through collaboration with statewide partners and professional organizations, WCA works to ensure that the voices and expertise of mental health professionals are included in public policy discussions.
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WCA’s advocacy activities comply with federal guidelines for 501(c)(3) organizations and are designed to inform, educate, and support policies that benefit the public good
None of Us Can Do It Alone.
Since March 2020, the need for mental health access in Wyoming has increased dramatically.
With that came the demand for mental health policy, funding, and legislation . To respond to this need, associations, nonprofit organizations, professionals and consumers have worked tirelessly during this unprecedented time.
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Over those several years it became evident that organizations were far more effective working together than alone. Therefore, the Wyoming Behavioral Health Alliance was formed. WYBHA is a 501(c)4 coalition of behavioral health associations, non profits, professionals, consumers, and advocates working together to address Wyoming’s behavioral health needs through sound education, collaboration and effective advocacy.
Education
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2011-2014
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2007-2010
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2026 Wyoming Legislative Budget Session
Legislative Updates
As a member benefit, the Wyoming Counseling Association contracts with a Legislative Advocate to track Wyoming state legislation and meet with legislators on behalf of WCA members. Our advocate provides updates to our membership about legislation impacting mental health providers and the communities they serve. Your membership dues help make this advocacy work possible!
Budget Session Highlights
Education Recalibration
Other Bills of Interest
Interim Priorities
Supporting Advocacy for the Counseling Profession
During the 2026 Wyoming Budget Session, the Wyoming Counseling Association (WCA) remained actively engaged at the Capitol to ensure the counseling profession and the behavioral health needs of Wyoming residents were represented in policy discussions.
WCA worked closely with our legislative advocate, Lindsay Simineo, and partners across the state to monitor legislation, provide testimony, and communicate with lawmakers on issues affecting mental health services, education, and the counseling profession.
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Throughout the session, WCA President Alex Petrino and our legislative advocate testified regularly in support of key legislation impacting counselors, clients, and communities across Wyoming. One of the most significant topics this year was K–12 education recalibration, Wyoming’s process for reviewing and updating the state’s school funding model.
WCA strongly advocated for fully funding school counselors at all grade levels. School counselors play a critical role in supporting student mental health, academic success, and postsecondary readiness. Ensuring these positions are included and properly funded within the education funding model remains a top priority for our association.
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In addition, WCA President Alex Petrino and President-Elect Teigan Thole participated in Advocacy Action Day at the Wyoming Capitol alongside partners from across the state. Together, advocates educated lawmakers about suicide prevention efforts and the importance of maintaining full funding for the 988 Trust Fund, which supports Wyoming’s suicide and crisis lifeline services.
The 988 system is a vital part of Wyoming’s behavioral health safety net. It provides immediate access to trained crisis counselors for individuals experiencing mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress.
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During the upcoming interim session, WCA will continue educating members and policymakers about the importance of maintaining stable funding for the 988 Trust Fund before its sunset date in 2028.
WCA’s advocacy work is strengthened through our partnership with the Wyoming Behavioral Health Alliance (WBHA), which helps coordinate statewide behavioral health policy efforts and provides legislative updates throughout the session.​​​
On March 2, the Wyoming House and Senate reached consensus and passed the state’s biennium budget. Many of the Governor’s recommendations were included, including continued support for 988 services, public health programs, and the Behavioral Health Division.
Another important win for the behavioral health workforce was Medicaid rebasing for behavioral health services. This adjustment increases reimbursement rates for providers delivering behavioral health care across Wyoming and helps offset the rising costs of providing services.
SF0081, the school funding recalibration bill, has passed the legislature and is headed to the Governor’s desk. This legislation includes several significant changes:
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Elementary school counselors will now be included as core staff in the school funding model for the first time.
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The updated funding model will begin implementation immediately rather than being delayed for further study.
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Compensation levels for education staff will increase.
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Positions previously funded through the Mental Health Block Grant will become permanent.
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This represents an important step forward for school counseling and mental health services within Wyoming schools.
WCA also monitored several additional bills during the session that impact behavioral health and community well-being.SF0010 – Contracts for holding and treating mentally ill detaineesThis bill has passed both chambers and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. The legislation allows law enforcement to contract with qualified professionals to assess individuals in custody who may be experiencing mental health concerns.
HB0010 – Sexually explicit materials in librariesThis bill did not advance in the Senate and has died for the session. WCA will continue to work with librarians, lawmakers, and stakeholders during the interim to ensure future legislation addresses concerns without restricting access to information for students and families.
SF005 – K–12 Language and Literacy ProgramThis bill passed both chambers with amendments and moved to concurrence. WCA will continue monitoring how literacy policy and training requirements may impact educators, students, and support staff across Wyoming.
During the legislative interim, WCA and our partners will continue working on several policy initiatives related to behavioral health and prevention.Through the Wyoming Behavioral Health Alliance, advocates are requesting that the legislature explore additional funding sources for the 988 Trust Fund, including potential revenue from the Wyoming Gaming Commission. The goal is to secure sustainable funding for crisis services without reducing existing public health funding.
Additional interim proposals include examining potential reforms to Wyoming’s child abuse statutes and continuing conversations about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and prevention strategies that support healthier outcomes for Wyoming families.WCA will also continue working with legislators on smaller policy proposals that support mental health services and the behavioral health workforce ahead of the 2027 legislative session.
Advocacy is one of the most important ways the Wyoming Counseling Association supports counselors and the communities we serve.
Membership dues help WCA maintain a legislative advocate who monitors bills, communicates with lawmakers, and represents the behavioral health workforce at the Capitol.
This advocacy benefits not only WCA members but all mental health professionals across Wyoming, including those who may not have a formal state association representing their profession. Our work helps ensure that counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other behavioral health professionals have a voice in legislative conversations affecting licensure, workforce development, access to care, and behavioral health policy.
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By joining WCA, you are investing in the future of the counseling profession and helping strengthen the collective voice of mental health professionals across Wyoming.Join WCA today:
WCA WAS AWARDED THE
2020 AMERICAN COUNSELING ASSOCIATION STATE BRANCH ADVOCACY AWARD!
The ACA State Branch Advocacy Award recognizes a state counseling organization for excellence in legislative advocacy efforts.
Recent Advocacy Efforts
On 3/2/26, the Wyoming Counseling Association proudly partnered with the Wyoming Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP-WY) for our annual Advocacy Action Day at the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne.
Advocates from across the state gathered for a legislative breakfast and a day of education focused on suicide prevention efforts in Wyoming. Together, we met with lawmakers to discuss the critical importance of sustained funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Trust Fund and the role it plays in ensuring that individuals in crisis have access to timely, life-saving support. In addition, we advocated for comprehensive suicide prevention programming in K-12 education.
This partnership between WCA and AFSP-WY has been in place for many years and reflects our shared commitment to prevention, access to care, and community education. We are deeply grateful for the collaborative spirit that makes this day impactful year after year, and we look forward to continuing this important work together for many years to come.
Representing WCA at the Capitol were:
• Alex Petrino, WCA President
• Teigan Thole, WCA President-Elect
• Lindsay Simineo, Wyoming Behavioral Health Alliance Legislative Advocate
Our presence helped to ensure that counselors’ voices were part of the conversation, highlighting the real-world impact of policy decisions on mental health professionals, clients, schools, and communities across Wyoming.
Advocacy is one of the core ways WCA serves our members and the profession. Your membership supports efforts like Advocacy Action Day and strengthens our collective voice at the legislature.
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Get in Touch
NOTE: It is important you use a PERSONAL email address to sign up.
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School and employer emails often block automated messages or expire after graduation or job changes. Members are responsible for receiving & retaining CE certificates and license-related communications. The WCA does not retain that for you.