Each year CASP hosts our affiliate leaders from across the ...



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Volume 59, No. 2 Spring 2009

A Message from the Executive Director

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By Suzanne Fisher

The 60th Anniversary of CASP was a star studded event, featuring some of the most renowned experts in the field of school psychology. Our corporate friends included: Riverside Publishing, our lead corporate sponsor; along with Pearson and Multi Health Systems (MHS) who served as corporate supporters. The Presidential Awards Lunch recognized the best of school psychology and highlighted the presidents of CASP over the past 60 years! The Cultural Linguistic Diversity breakfast, was highlighted with the presentation of scholarships for outstanding school psychology students and the presence of Dr. Carolyn Bennett Murray, professor at UC Riverside, the keynote speaker. Our venues – The Mission Inn, Riverside Marriott and the Riverside Convention Center – were perfect sites for this important anniversary celebration.

Over 885 attendees plus 30 exhibitors, outstanding school psychologist awardees, board members past and present, 60-70 presenters, and convention staff joined in our 60th anniversary celebration. While the attendance of school psychologists did not meet our original expectations, we greatly appreciated the presence of those who daily pledge their time and commitment to children and families. A significant increase in student school psychologist attendance was inspirational – we all understand that these dedicated students will be the CASP Board members of the future.

Sadly, many school district managers withheld time off for all staff including the use of employee vacation time. In spite of the dire predictions the Blessing of the Spirit was with us as at the 11th hour. A record 700 convention registrations were submitted rescuing the convention and the 60th anniversary celebration in Riverside!

The Board of Directors continues to be concerned with CASP’s fiscal health given the shortage of 08-09 membership revenue and the low turnout of regular members at the convention. The annual convention has always represented at least 50 – 60% of the CASP budget with membership representing the other 40 – 50% of our base revenue. CASP did not meet those requirements this year. As a result, the future structure of the statewide convention is being reevaluated, reducing our financial commitment for meeting space and reserved hotel rooms.

We have formed a special committee within the Board of Directors to evaluate the CASP programs. This courageous team will assist the staff in reshaping a slimmer CASP using new technology, more regional trainings, and independent study. The technology we are considering is similar to that used by remotely located health clinics to access the expertise of doctors in urban areas providing timely diagnosis and treatment.

A few critical challenges face CASP and its members as we continue to work with NASP on the APA – MLA issue, while awaiting the outcome of reduced California school budgets and the issuance of pink slips. CASP is soliciting the support of key education leaders in California to push back on the reversal of the APA’s Model Licensure Act (MLA). The reversal of MLA is an encroachment by clinical psychologists on the role of school psychologists in public schools.

Recently, in a conversation with a California school administrator, I was told that they would gladly join us in encouraging the California Legislature to oppose any move to implement the dissolution of the MLA in California, “School psychologists are a part of our schools on many levels and cannot be replaced by higher-paid, clinical psychologists who are limited in their understanding of the protocols and intricacies of special education law in the public school setting. School psychologists are a good fit in California public schools and are appreciated for what they do!”

Our legislative advocate continues to monitor state funding for schools including the federal stimulus funds allocated to California for public schools and special education. According to the California Department of Education, “The federal economic stimulus funds will help us educate some of our most vulnerable students – those in need of special education services and those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged,” said (State Schools Superintendent Jack) O’Connell. “I have directed divisions within the California Department of Education to get these education recovery funds out to our schools as quickly as possible in order to save and create jobs as well as improve student achievement.” For a preliminary list of how much ARRA Title I funds each school district is expected to receive, please visit .

ACSA-CASP trainings will continue on Response to Intervention (RTI) within our partnership with the Association of California School Administrators. Our most recent partnership is with the Santa Clara SELPA hosting a seminar on Threat Assessment with esteemed presenter, Diana Browning Wright. Future seminars will provide CPD for those with LEP licenses – which now require 36 continuing education units every two years – as soon as the provider regulations are approved by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. CASP has access to some of the best trainers on qualifying topics such as: ethics, child abuse, ADHD, and more. Lastly, we are investigating the development of CASP video conferences and webinars – bringing CPD to members without the cost of travel and lodging. Archives of these webinars will be available to current CASP members 24/7 via the website.

Recently, we were invited to join a planning committee led a statewide parent organization. This is an advocacy group of family members with children facing a variety of mental health challenges. Joining the coalition will be other statewide mental health advocates and leaders. As a coalition, we will be pursing a federal stimulus grant to fund training and services to these children and their families. This could provide additional training funds for CASP to conduct training tailored to meet the needs of families.

For the first time this year, we have conducted our annual elections to the Board of Directors via our website. Our webmaster has developed an electronic system to ensure that balloting is secure and private. At the time of this article the ballots were still coming in to the website. A special announcement will be made to all members in the coming weeks.

Currently, the CASP 2010 convention venue, dates, and format are being reviewed – we’ll keep you posted. It is important that CASP address the changing needs and circumstances of its members – making the convention more convenient; meeting their needs for continuing education; providing updates on the latest special and general education trends, software, and strategies; and most importantly, providing members the opportunities to honor their peers; and to enjoy the collective camaraderie that only the CASP annual convention can provide.

In closing, watch the CASP website; read CASP Today on line; participate in our activities – let us hear from you! We need your feedback and suggestions. Don’t forget to renew your annual membership – without your support we will be unable to continue to advocate and support your interests at the California State Legislature and the U.S. Congress!

Remember, you were chosen before birth to do what you do – there are no accidents here!

Stand for what you believe in and who you are . . . no one can take that from you . . . only you can give it away. .

All the best!

Suzanne

© California Association of School Psychologists, April 2009.

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