FASP Advocacy
view FASP's ResponseNASP 2023 Convention Attendees: Although the 2023 NASP Convention was considered highly successful and attended by nearly 8,000 participants in person and virtually, a totally unacceptable and harmful incident occurred. This incident occurred Wednesday night in the Hyatt Regency Denver hotel that directly affected President Celeste Malone, her friends, colleagues, and family, and by extension the Black community. Here are the facts, as cited on the NASP website.
FASP stands with the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) in acknowledging this totally unacceptable and harmful incident, which directly affected NASP President Dr. Celeste Malone; her friends, colleagues, and family; and by extension, the Black community (view our response here). Our organization will be monitoring the follow-up to ensure that the Hyatt Corporation is putting forth honest and strong efforts to live up to your promises and your “World of Care” commitment. We will not consider working with the Hyatt Corporation without proof that restorative actions have been taken. FASP is resolute in our social justice efforts and committed to sustaining a fair and equitable society in which each person and all groups are valued and affirmed. Act Now...Here Are Some Starting PointsSocial JusticeThe National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has provided resources and publications focused on social justice as it relates to children and youth, the role of school psychologists as change agents, and the NASP Practice Model domains represented by this work. Incidents of violence and injustice leave children, families, and communities confronting trauma, grief, or other social/emotional challenges. To support children and families who may experience difficulty, there are a number resources located on the NASP School Safety & Crisis Resources page. There you will find several topics, including Addressing Grief and Trauma, which contain hyperlinks to several recommended or related resources for school psychologists, administrators, teachers, and children and families. Derek Francis, Manager of Counseling Services for Minneapolis Public Schools, posted this resource for talking with students proactively about race and social events Child Mind Institute published this resource entitled, "Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News APA and Partners Defend Transgender Students' Rights Florida Suicide PreventionBecome involved with suicide prevention efforts. Advocate on April 7, 2017, along with the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) at their annual Day at the Capitol. AFSP Capitol Days are a chance to meet with state legislators, let them know why suicide prevention is important, and advocate for public policies that can reduce the number of deaths by suicide in Florida. View the Governor's Proclamation for Florida Suicide Prevention Week 2016, become familiar with Florida's Suicide Prevention Plan 2016-2020 and Suicide Prevention Action Steps 2016-2020. In 2015, suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death for young Floridians ages 10-24. View suicide facts for Florida in 2016...we can change these facts! FASP has partnered with NASP to make action easy...in less than 1 MINUTE! Click on the "Take Action" button below the following action items and a letter to your elected officials will be automatically generated and sent! Advocacy at its simplest form! Increase Implementation of Effective School-Wide Discipline Policies and PracticesFASP needs you to ask your elected officials to take measures to increase the implementation of effective school-wide discipline policies and practices in schools. The state of Florida removes more children from school for disciplinary reasons than any other state and is a national leader in the school-to-prison pipeline. Florida has the highest overall suspension rates for both elementary and secondary education students in the country and is third in the country in terms of school-based arrests. Florida is one of only seven states where the number of elementary schools with high rates of suspension far outnumber the schools with rates of suspension closer to the national average. We need you to write your elected officials and ask for their support in providing funding for comprehensive and effective policies and practices to reduce the use of harmful and ineffective discipline policies authorized in legislation. Increase Implementation of Effective School-Wide Discipline Policies and PracticesFASP needs you to ask your elected officials to take measures to increase the implementation of effective school-wide discipline policies and practices in schools.Recognition of School Psychology as a Critical Shortage AreaFASP needs you to ask your elected officials to take measures to recognize and proactively address the critical shortage of school psychologists. Addressing the critical shortage of school psychologists at a national and local level is a complex issue and there is not one single solution. NASP and FASP efforts to better understand the issue suggest that there are a number of issues contributing to the critical shortage including the state of Florida's move toward performance-based funding for universities which often translate to reductions in funding for growing and aspirant state institutions, a critical shortage of faculty trainers, a lack of appropriate funding for internships for students, as well as more attractive salaries and incentive packages for leaving the state. Recognition of School Psychology as a Critical Shortage AreaFASP needs you to ask your elected officials to take measures to recognize and proactively address the critical shortage of school psychologistsEnsure Schools are Free of Bullying, Harassment, and DiscriminationFASP needs you to contact your elected officials and ask for their support in the sponsorship and passage of legislation intended protect students, especially the most vulnerable populations, from bullying, harassment and discrimination in the schools. FASP needs you to contact your elected officials and ask for their support in the sponsorship and passage of legislation intended protect students, especially the most vulnerable populations, from bullying, harassment and discrimination in the schools.Support Improved Access to Mental Health Care in SchoolsFASP needs you to contact your elected officials and ask for their support in the sponsorship and passage of legislation intended to improve access to mental health care in schools. School-based mental health professionals, such as school psychologists, can provide access to prevention programming, early identification of mental health challenges, treatment options, or a more integrated, comprehensive program of support through partnerships with community mental health organizations and agencies. While federal agencies are calling on schools to enhance early identification methods to assess and connect students with mental health services, now is the time to recognize the integral role of school. FASP needs you to contact your elected officials and ask for their support in the sponsorship and passage of legislation intended to improve access to mental health care in schools
Mental health counseling
Collaborative for Academic, Social, Emotional Learning (CASEL)
Pledge now and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.
FASP formed a task force of select members to develop advocacy statements that could be used by school psychologists in their respective school districts. FASP is happy to present the first position paper created by this task force and encourages you to use this information to advocate for school psychologists throughout the state of Florida. FASP has partnered with the Florida School Counselor association (FSCA), and the Florida Association of School Social Workers (FASSW) to develop a coalition of advocacy throughout our state and with our state legislative body. The following letters have been developed to date:
FASP would also like to share links to NASP's website that are excellent products with topics spanning across a variety of advocacy topics. You may need to tailor these articles to fit the needs of your individual districts, but their content is well-written and researched where appropriate. Summary of NASP School Psychology Advocacy Materials |