School Psychology Updates: September 2021
North Carolina Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/03/2021 04:28 PM EDT
Back to School 'Supplies' for Safe and Supportive School Climates and Coordinated, Timely Response to Student Needs
Although the 2021-2022 academic year has 'officially' arrived, many school leaders and staff have remained in 'action mode' for quite some time. Prior to, and, particularly, since March 2020, there has been an increased and pronounced recognition of the critical role that the behavioral health of students and staff plays in the overall functioning of schools and the learning outcomes of our students. Many state and local leaders have worked to develop explicit plans to support students' and staff's social-emotional and behavioral health at the point of entry into the 2021-2022 academic year.
At the state level, there have been resources in place to assist in the effort across all NC public schools. Two main repositories for these resources are the Social Emotional Learning page and the School Mental Health Policy page of NC DPI's website. School psychologists are encouraged to build knowledge of these efforts, and also access relevant resources and application tools to help determine ways that they may support the efforts at the local level.
Quick links to these and other school behavioral health resources are accessible via the Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health page of the NC School Psychology website.
Additionally, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) offers many relevant resources to support school level efforts. These resources can be found on NASP's School Climate, Safety and Crisis Response page.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
The month of September is a time to dial up awareness on suicide prevention. Mental health professionals utilize this month to sharpen skills and increase efforts in improving public awareness to the warning signs and action steps that could be taken help prevent suicide. #BeThe1To
Below are some additional resources to support your efforts this month:
-
NASP | Preventing Youth Suicide
- Suicide Prevention Resource from NAMI
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center
-
If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.
September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month
An estimated 40,000 babies are born each year with FASDs, which can result in birth defects,
intellectual or learning disabilities, behavior problems, and trouble learning life skills.
School psychologists often work directly with children referred for evaluations due to any of the difficulties listed above; therefore, it is important to increase understanding of FASD and help inform school staff about ways that students with FASD can be supported effectively at school.
- September 9th is International FASD Awareness Day
- FASD Awareness Month/Day 2021 Packet
Relevant Online Resources for the 2021-2022 Academic Year
As we continue to navigate the pandemic and it's impact on communities across the state, be sure to bookmark the guidance and resources listed below and refer back to them regularly throughout the school year.
- Updated StrongSchoolsNC Toolkit
- Updated CDC Guidance
-
U.S. Department of Education Releases “Return to School Roadmap” to Support Students, Schools, Educators, and Communities in Preparing for the 2021-2022 School Year
- A fact sheet for schools, families, and communities on the Return to School Roadmap, reviewing the three “Landmark” priorities, and elevating schools and districts that are addressing each in effective ways.
- A guide for schools and districts outlining what schools can do to protect the health and safety of students, including increasing access to vaccinations and steps for implementing the CDC’s recently updated K-12 school guidance.
- A checklist that parents can use to prepare themselves and their children for a safe return to in-person learning this fall, leading with vaccinating eligible children and masking up if students are not yet vaccinated.
Professional Learning Opportunities:
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Nearly 1000 education professionals have enrolled and/or completed this course...are you one of them? The objectives of this self-paced course are to provide ALL educators with knowledge and opportunities to apply NC’s criteria in the evaluation and identification of our largest population of students with disabilities. |
 |
School Psychology Position Openings - Evidence of NC's Continued Challenges in Providing Student Access to School Psychological Services:
The interactive map below was designed in an effort to allow any NC Public School Unit ease in posting open positions. It was also designed to increase reach to potential applicants across the nation. The map was made available in the public domain so that it could be easily shared across any and all networks.
Although it has fulfilled it's intended purpose, the numerous icons that fill up the map speak volumes to the significant shortages that continue to exist across the state. The tireless efforts of the existing school psychology workforce in the face of such shortages, and a pandemic, have truly been a testament to their steadfast commitment to students across the state. However, as we all know, such effort is not a sustainable or reasonable solution to the shortage problem.
View open positions on the NC School Psychology Website
Legislative Updates:
During each legislative session, the NC General Assembly passes legislation that directly and indirectly affect North Carolina’s schools. Some legislation directly affects school psychological service delivery.
Currently the Senate and House have not yet reached an agreed-upon budget.
School psychologists should remain up to date on all activity related to relevant education legislation, including the final funding appropriations for the 2021-2022 fiscal year:
Subscribe to the Legislative Updates Listserv
Visit the K-12 Education Legislation and Reports page for additional updates
To stay informed and get involved in the advocacy efforts of school psychologists on behalf of students in NC public schools, visit NCSPA's Advocacy webpage and stay tuned in to their regular legislative alerts.
In Search of Resources to Support Practice?
Visit the School Psychology Lending Library
***CHECK OUT SOME OF THE NEW ADDITIONS***
 |
 |
|
What's in it for you? Find out by downloading NCSPA's infographic
The new membership season has begun! |
 |
|
Stay Connected with NC School Psychology |
|||
 |
 |
||
|
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: |
|||
