Oregon's Framework for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs & Implementation Guidance

As districts prepare to implement the updated Oregon's Framework for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs, as required in OAR 581-022-2060, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is pleased to share new resources and guidance on ODE's Comprehensive School Counseling webpage to support implementation beginning in the 2026-27 school year. 

In the coming months, ODE will continue releasing additional tools, including guidance documents, templates, examples, and professional learning opportunities, to support districts in meeting the staffing, data reporting, and program assessment requirements for OAR 581-022-2060 and the Framework. We encourage counseling teams to review these resources with their administrators and begin planning for program updates, data collection, and reporting expectations outlined in the rule.

Your Presence Matters: Celebrating Attendance Awareness Month

September is Attendance Awareness Month. This year's theme, "Your Presence Matters," highlights the important role that every student, every family, and every school staff member plays in creating a culture of belonging and engagement. 

We encourage you to explore these updated resources, designed to support schools as they kick off the new school year and celebrate Attendance Awareness Month:

• Starting Strong Attendance Practices: A brief collection of resources designed to help schools get students off to a strong start in September.
• Resources for Schools and Districts: Visit the Resources for Schools and Districts webpage and select the Resources to Send to Families tab for customizable family communications available in multiple languages.

We invite you to join our Attendance Learning Series, a monthly opportunity to support implementation efforts, share promising practices, and connect with attendance practitioners from across Oregon. We’ll meet on the second Thursday of each month at 3:35 p.m. PT, with a special session focused on the role of classified staff as core attendance leaders on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 3:35pm PT.

September Is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a time to recognize the important role schools, families, and communities play in supporting the mental health and well-being of Oregon's youth. Across the state, school districts, education service districts, and community partners continue working together to create environments where students feel safe, connected, and supported.

As the school year begins, districts are encouraged to review their suicide prevention plans to ensure they include all legislatively required components of Adi's Act. Plans should be well-communicated, understood by staff, and integrated into everyday school practices that promote student belonging and well-being.

Research consistently shows that connection is a powerful protective factor. Positive relationships with caring adults and supportive peers can help reduce feelings of isolation and hopelessness while increasing resilience and help-seeking behaviors. Every member of a school community has a part to play in fostering these connections and therefore should be appropriately trained for their role.

This Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, consider taking one or more of the following actions:

• Participate in, and coordinate for staff, free training opportunities offered in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority.
• Use ODE’s Words That Protect: Why Language Matters in Suicide Prevention resource to promote supportive, person-centered language that reduces stigma and encourages help-seeking.
• Promote crisis/warm lines (988 Oregon, Youthline) and ways to report concerns (SafeOregon tipline).
• Explore resources on how adults can help prevent suicide and support someone who may be struggling.
• Stay tuned for Oregon’s Suicide Prevention Fall Call to Action communication for schools coming soon!

Together we can strengthen protective factors, promote belonging, and help create school communities where every student feels seen, valued, and supported!

ODE School Mental Health Advisory Group

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is inviting applicants to apply to the newly formed School Mental Health Advisory Group. Applications are due by Friday, September 18, 2026.

This group will co-develop recommendations to advance potential policies, practice, guidance and more in a variety of areas including:

• Multi-tiered Systems of Support
• Universal Mental Health Screening
• Annual Mental Health Literacy Professional Development for School Staff 

Who Should Apply

We encourage anyone passionate about strengthening student and educator mental health and well-being in Oregon schools to apply. Applicants should be employed by an Oregon school district or ESD, in a student facing role or a role that oversees student mental health systems. To ensure this group is diverse in background and experience, we are prioritizing individuals from different parts of the state that include frontier, rural, sub/urban districts that are small, medium and large. 

Meeting Details

When: 2nd Wednesday of the month, October through May

Time: 2:30pm - 4:00pm

Where: Zoom (online)

Working Together

The group will be focused on policies that advance Oregon’s Comprehensive School Mental Health System. Each meeting will include listening and learning from one another. By design this group is made up of individuals who support students and educators in a variety of ways to build creative solutions for supporting student and educator mental health and well-being in primary and secondary settings. Together we will identify and promote meaningful and universal strategies that support adults, children, and systems.

ASPIRE Fall Conference

The 2026 ASPIRE Fall Conference, "Navigating the New Landscape of Readiness", will be held on October 2, 2026 at OSU Cascade Campus in Bend, Oregon.

The conference features 30 dynamic workshops designed to tackle real-world challenges and emerging opportunities in Career and College Readiness (CCR). Join educators, advisors, and professionals from across Oregon as we dive into topics such as expanding college access for neurodivergent students, mastering financial aid and scholarship strategies, and empowering students pursuing careers in the trades and apprenticeships. To help you prepare for the conference please review the following documents.

• Event Registration Link
• ASPIRE Fall Conference Complete Program
• Event Schedule
• Workshop Schedule
• Conference Tracks
• Campus Map

Top reasons to attend ASPIRE Fall Conference

• It is the only statewide Career & College Readiness professional development event open to all educators: ASPIRE coordinators, career pathway teachers, counselors, administrators, and college and career advisors.
• At just $25 per attendee (including lunch), it delivers exceptional, cost‑effective professional learning.
• Gain access to training from key statewide partners including OSAC, ECMC, Ford Family Foundation, Oregon TRIO, BOLI, Oregon Employment Department, DHS, and more.
• Sessions directly support priorities like financial aid completion, scholarship access, career pathways, mentorship, middle‑school CCR development, neurodivergent student support, apprenticeships, workforce trends, and student services.
• Provides actionable strategies and ready‑to‑implement tools educators can immediately use with students.
• Supports consistent, statewide implementation of ASPIRE and encourages school‑wide CCR alignment and cross‑department collaboration.
• Reinforces your school’s commitment to equitable post‑secondary preparation for all students.