The Indiana School Counselor Association (ISCA) Promotes Student Success Through Advocacy

Indiana School Counselor Association

Strategic Plan

2014-2015

Vision

The Indiana School Counselor Association (ISCA) promotes student success through advocacy, collaboration, professional leadership, and data-driven practices. ISCA empowers current professional school counselors and school counselors-in-training to prepare all students for academic, college/career, and social/emotional success.

Mission

The mission of the Indiana School Counselor Association is to advance the academic, college/career, and social/emotional development of all students through excellence in professional school counseling.

Statement of Values and Beliefs

The Indiana School Counselor Association Statement of Values and Beliefs defines the role of the professional school counselor in the areas of assisting students to meet their potential, fostering excellence in professional school counseling, and promoting student success. ISCA asserts the following beliefs:

BELIEFS ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Licensed School Counselors are in a unique position to initiate systemic change and advocate for all students’ educational and career achievement, and social/emotional development. They are a vital part of the educational team, helping all students become successful citizens. School Counselors recognize the critical role families play in the educational process and use consultation skills to promote and strengthen communication with the school, home, and community. School Counselors use their knowledge and skills to provide a wide variety of education, college/career, and student assistance services. This offers all students an opportunity to connect with a significant, caring adult at school.

Under the guidance of a Licensed School Counselor, students develop career readiness and an understanding of academic curriculum and post-secondary options. Students learn essential 21st century skills required for success in the workforce, which include communication, problem solving, team building, use of technology, self-management, creative thinking, and efficient time utilization. Students explore postsecondary and career options, understand labor market trends, and develop career goals, all of which assist in their creation of an appropriate educational plan.School Counselors help students and their families collaborate to develop each student’s educational and career vision.

Licensed School Counselors hold a Master’s degree and have unique training, skills, and expertise in leadership and advocacy that impact every student, teacher and classroom. They understand the unique needs of students, including underrepresented populations, and are able to provide services based on school-wide and targeted student and community data. School Counselors possess the skills to empower others to assist students. School Counselors are skilled to provide student assistance services, including assessment, prevention, intervention, and referral, as well as career development, which make them a valuable resource to school, family, and community partners.

BELIEFS ABOUT SCHOOL COUNSELORS’ ROLE IN PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOL COUNSELING

Licensed School Counselors make their continual professional and personal development a priority and take an active role in their professional organizations. They collaborate with fellow school counselors and other partners to meet the needs of students, families, and other educational staff and serve as a liaison between the school and community.

BELIEFS ABOUT STUDENT SUCCESS

As a result of the collaboration between school counselors, students, families, and other educational and community personnel, students understand that learning is an important and exciting challenge in life and enjoy acquiring new knowledge and skills. All students participate in a diverse curriculum, which includes rigorous academic courses, preparing them for post-secondary experiences and life-long learning. Students respect themselves and others and take risks within a safe environment, becoming responsible, contributing citizens. Students feel supported by school personnel, family, and community partners.

PLANNED ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBLE PERSON Line Item # / DEADLINE
AMaintain contact with theISCA Educational Advocate. / Julie Baumgart
Susan Kleinman
Cindy Cain
Catalyst Group
#1320 / Ongoing
B.Read and share legislative alerts and updates with the ISCA membership through CounselorTalk and the ISCA conference, website, relevant social media, and newsletter. / Julie Baumgart
Susan Kleinman
Cindy Cain
Bonnie Colon
Jen Money-Brady
David Campbell
Amanda Culhan / Ongoing
C. Continue a legislative presence. / 1. Develop formal legislative agenda. / Julie Baumgart
Susan Kleinman
Brandie Oliver
Cindy Cain
Melba Salmon
Catalyst Group
#1320 / July 2014
2. Present ISCA legislative priorities to legislators at the state and local levels. / Julie Baumgart
Susan Kleinman
Cindy Cain
Catalyst Group
#1320 / Ongoing
3. Continue efforts toward participating in Education Round Table and all other state committees and work groups. / Julie Baumgart
Susan Kleinman
Brandie Oliver
Cindy Cain
Catalyst Group / Ongoing
4. Provide advocacy training for Licensed School Counselors / Julie Baumgart
Susan Kleinman
Catalyst Group
#1320 / Ongoing
5. Promote legislative advocacy during National School Counselor week. (letter writing) / Julie Baumgart
Susan Kleinman
Cindy Cain / February 2015
D. Collect and analyze data to support our legislative priorities. / Brandie Oliver
Julie Baumgart
Amanda Culhan
Lin Metzger
Melba Salmon
Catalyst Group / Ongoing
PLANNED ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBLE PERSON Line Item # / DEADLINE

Cultivate/maintain relationships with post-secondary technical and career institutions Such as:

1.IACTE

IACAC
Military
Vocational/Apprenticeships
CHE

/ Nicole Detrick
Amanda Culhan
Stephanie Kozuch
Mary Pouch
#3160 / Ongoing

Maintain affiliation with the Indiana Middle Level Educators Association Such as:

1.Attend meetings

Submit articles
Display ISCA display at the IMLEA conference
Present at the IMLEA conference

/ Mary Pouch
Nicole Detrick
#3170 / Ongoing
C. Send ISCA e-newsletter and postcard/flier to “key” people in various agencies and organizations and school counseling students. / Maintain the list to include counseling departments at colleges and universities and key organizations. / Bonnie Colon
Molly Myers
Mary Snyder
Jen Money-Brady / Ongoing
August 2014
D.Cultivate relationships with the following state-level organizations through liaison activities (providing newsletter information, presenting at conferences, providing informational/promotional package about ISCA, cultivate mutually beneficial relationships). / Governor’s Office / Catalyst Group
J. Baumgart/S.Kleinman / Ongoing
ICA (Jeremy Linton, President) / Brandie Oliver / Ongoing
Principal’s Association (Todd Bess, Ex. Director) / Brandie Oliver
Lin Metzger / Ongoing
Superintendent’s Association (JT Coopman) / Brandie Oliver
Lin Metzger / Ongoing
School Board Members / Oliver/ Metzger / Ongoing
Financial Aid Division of CHE/21st Century Scholars (Scholar Success program) / Level VPs
Amanda Culhan / Ongoing
Indiana School Social Workers Association / Oliver/Metzger
Culhan / Ongoing
Indiana Association of School Psychologists / Brandie Oliver
Lin Metzger / Ongoing
ISTA/ IFT / Brandie Oliver / Ongoing
State Board of Education / Oliver/ Baumgart
Kleinman / Ongoing
State Superintendent of Public Instruction / Catalyst Group
Julie Baumgart
Susan Kleinman / Ongoing
Any other youth serving organization (Indiana Youth Institute, Learn More Indiana, Children’s Museum, etc.) / Brandie Oliver
Lin Metzger / Ongoing
Evidence Based Advisory Comm. / Oliver/ Salmon
#1350 / Ongoing
State Chamber of Commerce / Marsh/Salmon
Professional Licensing Board / Oliver/Kleinman
E. Present Friend of Youth Award, Legislator of the Year, and ISCA Partner Awards / Brandie Oliver
Sarah Altman
Julie Baumgart
Susan Kleinman
Catalyst
#1450 / November 2014
PLANNED ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBLE PERSON Line Item # / DEADLINE
A. Promote professional evaluation based on school counselor effectiveness. /

Communicate evaluation tool to superintendents, principals, and counselors.

/ Lin Metzger
Amanda Culhan / Ongoing

Demonstrate effectiveness based on evaluation tool-data driven

/ Metzger/ Salmon
Oliver / Ongoing
B. Promote the availability of the level resource guides about the role of school counselors. / 1. Elementary Retreat / S. Kozuch
#1340 / September 2014
2. Regional Workshops/Webinars / B.Hand,
Amanda Culhan
#1340 / April 2015
3. ISCA Conference / K. Johnson,S. Kozuch, M.Pouch, N. Detrick
#1340 / November 2014
4. School Counseling Students/ Graduate Student Workshop / M. Myers; M. Snyder
Bonnie Colon / April 2015

ISCA Website

/ Julie Presley / Ongoing
C. Promote school counseling week and counseling programs year round. / 1. Create and distribute videosabout counselor impact and role; available via a link on the ISCA website and at appropriate conferences. / Julie Presley
Jen Money-Brady
Brandie Oliver / Ongoing
2. Arrange for the governor to proclaim Indiana School Counseling Week. / David Campbell
#1410 / November 2014
3. Create a School Counselor Week Promotional Poster—on website/printed version. / David Campbell / October 2014
4. Develop an electronic PR packet for Indiana counselors for use during School Counselor Week. / David Campbell
#1410 / December 2014
5. Develop and disseminate press releases throughout year. / Brandie Oliver
Jen Money-Brady / Ongoing
6. ISCA items for display table at ISCA and ICA conferences. / L. Crick, D. Campbell
Lin Metzger
#1410 / November 2014
April 2015
D. Maintain a relationship with the DOE School Counselor Consultant. / Brandie Oliver / Ongoing
E. Promote the Education License Plate program. / Amanda Culhan / Ongoing
F. Advocate for a school counselor position on the Indiana Education Round Table and the State Board of Education. / 1. Request a school counselor become a member of each group. / B. Oliver, J.Baumgart S. Kleinman, Catalyst / Ongoing
2. Monitor both websites. / Cindy Cain / Ongoing
G. Provide ISCA Advocacy Tips. Tidbits to Advocate / Cindy Cain / Ongoing
H. Present at Superintendent’s and Principal’s Annual Conferences. / B. Oliver/L. Metzger
#1340 / Ongoing

Continue relationship with Superintendent of Public Instruction via School Counselor Advisory Panel.

/ Julie Baumgart
Brandie Oliver / Ongoing

Pursuesponsorship of monetary award to K-12 student(s) based upon school counselor impact essay.

/ David Campbell
Melba Salmon / Ongoing
PLANNED ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBLE PERSON Line Item # / DEADLINE
A. Provide the 2014ISCA Elementary Retreat. / K. Johnson/S. Kozuch
#2396 / September 2014
B. Provide the 2014 ISCA Fall Conference. / Mark Friedmeyer
Lauren DeWees
#2391 / November 2014
C. Begin planning for the 2015 ISCA Fall Conference. / Sarah Altman
Mark Friedmeyer
Lauren DeWees
for the 2006e 2005f the Weekception for legislatorsm shall be one over half of the members of the board or a majority. #2392 / January
2015

Provide regional workshops/webinars and promote online videos in

collaboration with IDOE. / Amanda Culhan
B. Hand
Level VPs
#2394 / Ongoing
E. Communicate legal and ethical policies. / Mark Friedmeyer
Sarah Altman
#2310 / Ongoing
F. Provide workshop for masters level school counseling students. / Molly Myers
Mary Snyder
Bonnie Colon
#3480 / April 2015
G. Promote participation in and offer professional development in the use
of RSC and RSC-lite— Redesigning School Counseling. / Amanda Culhan
Level VPs
Bridget Hand
David Campbell
Sam Vidal / Ongoing
H. Provide support and resources for Indiana counselor educators. / Amanda Culhan
Bonnie Colon
Brandie Oliver
#1440 / Ongoing
PLANNED ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBLE PERSON Line Item # / DEADLINE
A.Update the ISCA Website. / Julie Presley
#1470 / Ongoing
B.Send electronic notification regarding website calendar. / David Campbell
Jen Money-Brady
#2380 / August 2014
C.Maintain the ISCA Newsletter (3 issues). / Jen Money-Brady
#2360 / 7/21; 10/5;
1/17
D.Promote/maintain guide for new high school counselors. / Nicole Detrick
Amanda Culhan
#2385 / Ongoing
E.Promote/maintain guide for new middle level counselors. / Mary Pouch
Amanda Culhan
#2385 / Ongoing
F. Promote/maintain guide for new elementary level counselors. / Stephanie Kozuch
Amanda Culhan
#2385 / Ongoing
G. Promote/maintain member’s only section on the ISCA website. / Julie Presley
Lisa Crick / Ongoing
PLANNED ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBLE PERSON Line Item # / DEADLINE
A.Recognize “Gold Star” schools at ISCA fall conference (provide photographs of each group). / Brandie Oliver
Mark Friedmeyer
Amanda Culhan
Sarah Altman
Sam Vidal
#2375 / November 2014
B.Present exemplary professional school counselor awards (Elem. Middle, HS, Counselor Educator, Exemplary Administrator, School Support Staff, Joann Epple Award) at the fall conference. / 1. Encourage ISCA award nominations from school counselors and school counseling students. / Sarah Altman
Mark Friedmeyer
Lauren DeWees
Amanda Culhan
Molly Myers
Mary Snyder
#2375 / October 2014
2. Encourage ISCA award nominations from principals, superintendents, and other school staff. / Sarah Altman
Mark Friedmeyer
Lauren DeWees
Amanda Culhan
#2375 / October 2014
C.Award the Ike Womack Scholarship to counselor education student(s) preparing for school counseling. / Sarah Altman
Mark Friedmeyer
Lauren DeWees
#2375 / November 2014
D.Ensure that the winners of the ISCA awards for school counseling are
nominated for the ASCA awards. / Sarah Altman
Mark Friedmeyer
Lauren DeWees / SC of the Year
May 1, 2015
SC Ed
???
PLANNED ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBLE PERSON Line Item # / DEADLINE
A.Promote student membership in ISCA. / 1.Student liaisons introductory letter. / Molly Myers
Mary Snyder
Bonnie Colon
#3480 / August 2014
2. Utilize the counselor educator email list to update students or for student correspondence. / Bonnie Colon
Molly Myers
Mary Snyder / Ongoing
3. Encourage the professors to promote student membership in ISCA and student attendance at the ISCA professional development events. / Bonnie Colon
Molly Myers
Mary Snyder / Ongoing
4. Board members will visit each school counselor educator program to share the benefits of ISCA membership. / Bonnie Colon
David Campbell
Board Members / Ongoing
B.Maintain ISCA Membership database and all membership correspondence. / Lisa Crick
#3350 / Ongoing
C.Provide membership brochure for distribution. / Lisa Crick / Ongoing
D.Publicize ISCA achievements. / 1. Publish ISCAyear end report on website. / Brandie Oliver / June 2015
2. Display strategic plan on website. / Brandie Oliver
Julie Presley / September 2014
E.Provide an on-line, printable membership application. / Lisa Crick / July 2014
F. Actively grow membership through recruitment and recognition efforts. / Lisa Crick
David Campbell / Ongoing
G. Promote ISCA membership through professional development and grants. / Lisa Crick
Brandie Oliver
Level VPs
#3215 / Ongoing
PLANNED ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBLE PERSON Line Item # / DEADLINE
A.Conduct ISCA Leadership Development Institute for the 2014-15Governing Board. / Brandie Oliver
#3670 / June 2014
B.Encourage and promote ISCA membership and attendance at ISCA events. / All board members / Ongoing
C.Send two delegates to the 2014 ASCA Delegate Assembly/LDI. Delegate Assembly/LDI will be June 27-28 and conference is June 29 –July 2, 2014 / Brandie Oliver
Sarah Altman
Lin Metzger
#3600/#3610 / July 2014
D. Send two delegates to the 2015 ASCA Delegate Assembly/LDI and conference in June 2015. / Sarah Altman
Mark Friedmeyer
Lin Metzger
#3600/#3610 / June 2015
PLANNED ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBLE PERSON Line Item # / DEADLINE
A.Establish a 2014-15 Governing Board that is diverse. / Brandie Oliver / May 2014
B.Establish a 2014-15Executive Committee / Brandie Oliver / May 2014
C.Revisit the2014-15 ISCA Governance Structure by involving people who have expressed an interest in working with ISCA. / Sarah Altman / April 2015
D. Establish a 2015-16 Governing Board that is diverse / Sarah Altman / May 2015
E. Establish a 2015-16 Executive Committee as described in the bylaws / Sarah Altman / May 2015
G.ISCA board members will conduct activities as described in their job descriptions. / All board members / Ongoing
H. Conduct election for the 2017-2018 ISCA President. / Samantha Vidal / November 2014
PLANNED ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBLE PERSON Line Item # / DEADLINE
A.Review the ISCA mission, vision, and beliefs statements and revise as needed. / All board members / June 2014
B.Review the ISCA policy and procedure statements and revise as needed. / All board members / June 2014
C.Review the ISCA bylaws and make recommendations for revisions if needed. / Samantha Vidal
Lin Metzger / September 2014
D.Review the ISCA Organizational Documents and revise if needed / Brandie Oliver
All board members / June 2014
E.Maintain the ISCA Treasurer’s report and Meeting Minutes. / Lin Metzger
Mark Friedmeyer / Ongoing
F.Maintain ISCA archives (financial records, membership, award winners, conference information, meeting agendas and minutes, board directories) and move to an electronic format. / Mark Friedmeyer
Sarah Altman / June 2015
G.Update and maintain an ISCA website / Julie Presley / Ongoing
PLANNED ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBLE PERSON Line Item # / DEADLINE
A.Establish an annual budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year. / Brandie Oliver
Lin Metzger / September 2014
B.Prepare materials to plan the annual budget. / Lin Metzger / September
2014
C.Seek monies and in-kind contributions. / 1. Scholarship funding / Brandie Oliver
Melba Salmon / Ongoing
2.ISCA Conference meals and breaks / NCYI
Brandie Oliver / October 2014
3.ISCA Website / Julie Presley / Ongoing
4. Grants / Melba Salmon
All board members / Ongoing
5. Commissions from Multi-view and Energize IN / All board members / December 2014
D. Approve 2014-2015 ISCA budget (expenditures and ISCA income by categories). / All board members / September 2014
E.Monitor ISCA expenditures and ISCA income by categories. / Brandie Oliver
Lin Metzger
All board members / Ongoing
PLANNED ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBLE PERSON Line Item # / DEADLINE
A.Conduct an association self-study at the 2014 LDI. / Brandie Oliver / June 2014
B.Conduct an annual membership needs survey. / Brandie Oliver
Lisa Crick / November 2014
C.Use a strategic planning process to develop the 2014-2015associationactivities. / Brandie Oliver / June 2014
D.Conduct an annual evaluation of progress toward goals established in the strategic plan. / Brandie Oliver / April 2015