ISPA is now accepting nominations for the several positions on the ISPA Board. 

Nominations are needed for the following roles:
1. Secretary – Executive Board (2 year term)
2. Regional Rep for Prairie Lakes (4 years)
3. Regional Rep for Grant Wood (4 years)4. Regional Rep for Mississippi Bend (4 years)

Nominations close May 10, 2024.

ISPA is working hard to advocate for Iowa’s school psychologists and in light of the recent legislative changes we all know this organization will be more critical than ever in supporting the work of our school psychologists.

In addition to putting on an annual workshop, we continue working with a lobbyist and SSWA to host our annual Day on the Hill event. We need more individuals who are passionate about the profession to join the ISPA Board!

The Board typically meets one time per year in person and a few times a year via Zoom. Participation is a great way to get into a leadership role within the school psychology community and open doors for the future!

If you need additional information and/or you are interested in running for a position (or nominating a colleague), please nominations@iowaschoolpsych.com !

Hello ISPA Members,

I am excited to share this with you on behalf of the ISPA Executive Board! We are going to provide ONE $500 stipend to an ISPA Member who wants to attend NASP’s Public Policy Institute this summer. The institute will be held in Washington, DC on July 24-26th.

This stipend will not cover all of your expenses, but will be a nice incentive to have someone participate. If you would like to be considered for this stipend, please complete the linked GOOGLE FORM. The form also has additional information and expectations related to this opportunity.

Responses have a FIRM due date of April 18th at 11:59pm. This will allow time for the Executive Board to review responses and choose someone prior to the registration price increasing.

We hope you will consider this exciting opportunity! Those who have attended in the past found it very meaningful and informative. 

This is only available for ISPA members. If you are not a member, join now.

Thank you!

– The ISPA Executive Board

ISPA Members, 

Thank you all for your advocacy for our AEAs, the infrastructure that is unique to Iowa that we’ve relied on for so many years to provide us built-in support for one another and high-quality professional development. Though our voices were not entirely respected in the decisions that were made, we continue to follow our NASP ethics and promote healthy school, family, and community environments with our advocacy. 

Please know that your ISPA board remains committed to serving our membership. With the changes that may come, we will continue to adjust how we function in order to meet your needs and to advocate for school psychology best practice. As these changes do come, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of us and voice your ideas to help strengthen our organization. Is there something you need that the AEA system can no longer provide? Is there a need that has been exacerbated by these systemic changes that ISPA could help meet? Keep these, and related, questions in mind as we navigate uncharted waters. 

If you’re so inclined, take a listen to this short meditation done by Kathy Flaminio from MoveMindfully (posted on March 25) which follows the sentiment: “I can rest in not knowing.”

In solidarity,

Theresa Dehn
ISPA President