Raising Awareness with Policy Makers

Raising Awareness With Policy Makers

One way to draw attention to the importance of school psychological services, children’s mental health, and how we all can power up and create a positive charge is to have a state, local governing body, or school district adopt a proclamation either commending the profession or officially designating the selected time period as School Psychology Awareness Week/Month. Often, elected leaders will ask you to submit suggested language for the proclamation. Feel free to use, or adapt, the following language or to create your own in the same format.

Also consider reaching out to state or local policy makers during School Psychology Awareness Week. You can use the online resources to create a one-page fact sheet about how school psychologists help students to power up, be a positive charge, and effect change in your state/district. Consider delivering the fact sheet with a treat, a “Power Up! Be a Positive Charge” bookmark, a personalized Power Up notecard, or one of our Gratitude Works-THRIVE bracelets, available in the NASP online store. Learn more at www.nasponline.org/spaw.

SAMPLE Proclamation for National School Psychology Awareness Week

November 13–17, 2017

Whereas, All children and youth learn best when they are healthy, supported, and receive an education that enables them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally; and

Whereas, Schools can more effectively ensure that all students are able to learn when they meet the needs of the whole child and provide integrated, multitiered supports; and

Whereas, Children’s mental health is directly linked to their learning and development, and the learning environment provides an optimal context to promote good mental health through connectedness within the school and community; and

Whereas, Sound psychological principles are integral to instruction and learning, social and emotional development, prevention, early intervention and school safety, and support of culturally diverse student populations; and

Whereas, School psychology has over 60 years of well established, widely recognized, and highly effective practice and standards that are clearly articulated in NASP’s Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychological Services; and

Whereas, School psychologists are specially trained to foster and deliver, in the school and community, a continuum of mental health services and academic supports that lower barriers to teaching and learning; and

Whereas, School psychologists help children to thrive by nurturing their individual strengths across both personal and academic endeavors; and

Whereas, School psychologists are trained to assess student and school-based barriers to learning as well as individual strengths, utilize data-based decision-making, implement research-driven prevention and intervention strategies, and evaluate outcomes and improve accountability; and

Whereas, Citizens of (the UNITED STATES OR STATE OR TOWN NAME) should recognize the vital role that school psychologists play in the personal and academic development of our

(NATION/STATE/TOWN)’s children,

Therefore, (I/WE NAME OF ELECTED LEADER/BODY), do hereby proclaim November 13–17, 2017, as School Psychology Awareness Week in the (United States of America/STATE/TOWN) and commend observance to all of our citizens.