NASP Delegate Letter May 2013

With the school year winding down, this is a busy time. NASP has been busy, too, and I have some resources and opportunities to share with you.

Thank you for joining me as a NASP member in 2012–2013. The NASP membership year draws to a close on June 30. If you have not already done so, please renew your membership online at www.nasponline.org. If you renew online before June 30, 2013, you will have the opportunity to pay your membership dues in one payment or three monthly installments. Learn more at www.nasponline.org/membership/duesinstallments.aspx.

NASP has partnered with several organizations to release a new ‘Framework for Safe and Successful Schools’ at www.nasponline.org/resources/framework-safe-and-successful-schools.aspx. This joint statement provides suggestions for improving school safety and increasing access to mental health supports for children and youth.

The NASP 2014 Annual Convention Call for Presentation Proposals Submission System is now open. You can find helpful information about composing a successful proposal at www.nasponline.org/conventions/2014/call-for-presentations.aspx. The Convention Committee is particularly interested in skills-based presentations that will appeal to seasoned practitioners.

NASP has released the ‘Conducting Crisis Exercises and Drills: Guidelines for Schools’ at www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/drills_guidance.pdf. It contains information on selecting the appropriate scenario, types of drills, and considerations for developing and conducting a full-scale drill.

Join the new School, Family, and Community Partnering Interest Group to share research, resources, and other information to support Family-School Collaboration Services, the seventh domain of the NASP Practice Model. You can participate at http://communities.nasponline.org/Communities1/ViewCommunities/CommunityDetails/?CommunityKey=00166848-509d-4f2e-a1cc-e5df7cf3b69f.

NASP recently hosted a Congressional briefing in cooperation with U.S. Representative David Loebsack (IA-2) on how effective school discipline and positive conditions for learning must be integral to education reform efforts and legislation. Official testimony was given by Sandra Chafouleas from the University of Connecticut, Ursula Herman from Montgomery County Public Schools, Benjamin Fernandez from Loudoun County Public Schools, and Kelly Vaillancourt from NASP.

NASP is a contributing partner in the Child Mind Institute’s Speak Up for Kids campaign to protect and promote children’s mental health. As part of a series of events in May, NASP experts Melissa Reeves, John Kelly, and Dan Florell will present a webinar on May 8, ‘School Mental Health Services: Improving School Safety and Ensuring Student Wellness.’ To register for this free session, visit http://speakup.childmind.org/events/14.

If you are looking for advanced level training that is practical and practitioner focused, join us for the NASP 2013 Summer Conferences. With up to 18 hours of documented NASP-, APA-, and NBCC-approved CPD available at each conference, you can also earn credits for your NCSP renewal. If you register by May 15 you will save $40! Register at www.nasponline.org/conventions/2013/summer-conferences/index.aspx

Make the most of any resource dollars left in your budget by stocking up on NASP publications. Pick up NASP’s new releases that help you incorporate counseling into your practice and address depression in students or build your district’s resource library with classic favorites like ‘Helping Children at Home and School III’ and ‘Best Practices in School Crisis Prevention and Intervention.’ Visit
https://iweb.nasponline.org/iweb/Purchase/SearchCatalog.aspx for more information.

George Sugai, an expert in the field of multitiered systems of support, and Jack Jennings, founder of the Center on Education Policy, will be featured speakers at the annual Public Policy Institute in July in Washington, DC. The Public Policy Institute will feature national experts in policy, education, and school psychology and will focus on professional advocacy and how both administrative and legislative policies are advanced. Participants will engage in a hands-on Capitol Hill experience and earn more than 12 NASP-approved CPD credits. Register at www.nasponline.org/advocacy/ppi/2013/index.aspx.

I encourage you to follow NASP on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/nasponline/ for great boards with resources on autism, RtI, bullying, and more!

I hope you enjoy the end of the school year and I look forward to sharing more with you next month.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Wieck
NASP State Delegate – IA

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