As you may know, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is being reauthorized. We need your help to preserve some very important provisions regarding school-based mental health programs, which also includes maintaining an explicit definition of ‘school psychologist’ and funding for school-based mental health providers/programs!!
It is important that the legislation includes the following provisions :
§ 4301, authorizing the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program;
§ 2103(b)(4)(K), allowing Local Education Agencies to use Title II funds to ensure that school personnel are able to identify and support children with trauma history and children at risk for mental illness;
§ 1113(c)(2)(F)(ii)(III)(aa), allowing funds for school-wide programs in targeted assistance schools to be used for counseling, school based mental health programs, specialized instructional support services, and mentoring services;
§ 4103(c)(3)(B)(ii), allowing State Education Agencies to use Title IV funds to assist local education agencies to expand access to school based counseling and mental health resources;
§ 4103(c)(3)(B)(ix), allowing State Education Agencies to use Title IV funds to design and implement evidence based mental health awareness training programs.
DASP has responded by signing on to a letter NASP is organizing for state and national organizations. Now, we need your help by individually responding via sending a letter to our legislators. Please click the link below to send a letter that NASP graciously generated for us. It is VERY easy to send a letter to all 3 DE representatives...all it takes is entering your personal information and clicking a few buttons; the letter is pre-written. Please consider taking a few minutes to help keep important school-based mental health supports in the ESEA!!
From NASP:
This letter mirrors a Dear Colleague Letter being circulated in the House and the Senate by Senator Franken, Senator Ayotte, and Representative Clark. http://cqrcengage.com/naspweb/app/write-a-letter?3&engagementId=132179
