I urge the governor to stronly oppose the proposed legislation that mandate qualified mental health professionals to come from CACREP only programs to be eligble for licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Despite the rhetoric put forth by CACREP and its supporters, this move will not protect the public or ensure competent mental health professionals are being licensed.  Rather, it will grant CACREP a monopoly and exclude otherwise competently trained mental health professionals from working in Virginia.  I live in and work in Southwest Virginia where the need is tremendous and qualified mental health professionals are in short supply.  If this legislation passes it will only further contribute to the shortage of qualified professionals in under-served areas.  I urge the governor and our state legislators to strongly oppose this regulatory action.