The NASP Connection

October 16, 2023

I hope your school year is off to a great start!!  I attended the Fall Leadership Meeting 2023 in Washington D.C. last weekend, and I just wanted to catch you up on some topics we discussed.
 
As you know, NASP has three Strategic Goals (listed below), and I've bulleted the activities that are currently occurring to address those goals and what we can and are doing in Idaho to work towards these goals.

Workforce Shortages

   * Use survey to work with Legislators - recent survey sent to Idaho school psychologists to gain information to assist in speaking with Idaho legislators to advocate for our position and increase recruitment and retention efforts.

  * Exposure Project - https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/diversity-and-social-justice/cultural-responsiveness/multicultural-affairs-committee/nasp-exposure-project-(nasp-ep). Use the editable PowerPoint presentation to present in high school AP Psychology/Sociology classes or at local colleges/universities in Psychology, Sociology, Special Education, etc. classes. 

  * Interstate Compact Agreement - https://www.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/school-psychology-credentialing-resources/interstate-compact-for-school-psychologists. An interstate compact creates a constitutionally authorized contract that enables professionals in good standing to practice in all states that join the compact.

  * National School Psychology Week (NSPW)– November 6th – 10th "Let's Grow Together" https://www.nasponline.org/research-and-policy/advocacy/national-school-psychology-week-(nspw).  Connect with staff in your buildings, in your district, and across the state with the various activities noted through the Poster Activities on the website.

  * NASP is currently updating the Shortages Resource Guide - Shortages in School Psychology: Resource Guide (nasponline.org).

  * Pennsylvania was successful in establishing the PA Mental Health Learning Program in Schools (PA-HELPS), which includes $5M in funding for the internships, including school psychology internships - PA Mental Health Education Learning Program in Schools (PA HELPS) (pheaa.org). 

Social Justice

  * Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity (EDI) National Book Read – Disability, Visibility: First-Person Stories From the Twenty-First Century edited by Alice Wong. Please contact me (fritscht@msn.com) if you are interested in be a part of a book study/class this year as we read through the book and discuss equity, diversity, and inclusivity in Idaho.

  * NASP hopes to provide opportunities for leadership development and engagement for school psychologists from minoritized backgrounds.

  * Updated Social Justice Resources - https://www.nasponline.org/social-justice. 

Practice Model

  * Practice Model Push Project, "It's What We Do!" https://www.nasponline.org/pmpushproject. Promoting and raising awareness of the NASP Practice Model as well as advocating for our profession. PowerPoint presentation that is editable for various audiences (school boards, P/T organizations, etc.) and time limits. Another option to help you in your communication, specifically with school boards, would be to use the provided slide deck from a presentation done to the Idaho School Board Association (ISBA) in 2021 (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JmWz51etao2AUQ7QxrrdYtWHeDCFkRTN/view?usp=sharing). 

  * National School Psychology Week (NSPW) – November 6th – 10th "Let's Grow Together" https://www.nasponline.org/research-and-policy/advocacy/national-school-psychology-week-(nspw).

  * Work with other stakeholder groups to increase our visibility and increase our voice - Annual Stronger Together Conference at Boise State University with the school counselors, school social workers, and Idaho Project Aware on October 3rd through the 5th. 

   * NASP hopes to bolster skillset and confidence of school psychologists to implement the model by providing professional development "strands" and PD modules that focus on efficient school psychology.

  * NASP also hopes to promote the Excellence in School Psychological Services (ESPS) Recognition Program  https://www.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/nasp-practice-model/excellence-in-school-psychological-services-(esps)-recognition-program.  

 
Also, hopefully you saw the announcement regarding the elections that are coming up. On October 16th at 8:15 pm EST, you will have the chance to hear from each candidate (it will be recorded) at the Candidate Forum that will be provided by NASP. There are three individuals running for NASP President-Elect: Shawna Rader-Kelly, Jason Pedersen, and Andria Amador.  This will be a great opportunity to hear what each candidate has to offer NASP membership and school psychologists across the nation. You can register now for the forum - https://www.nasponline.org/membership-and-community/elections. 

Lastly, NASP's Annual Convention will be in New Orleans, LA this February 14th through the 17th! Due to Mardi Gras, the conference will start on a Wednesday rather than Tuesday. Early Registration will open October 2nd. Hope to see you there!! https://www.nasponline.org/professional-development/nasp-annual-convention-x38308. 

That's a lot of information I just went through so I'll stop for now. There will be more to come and I'll keep you updated as I get the information.

Take care of yourself!

Teresa