Advocacy Update - March 3, 2014

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FSCA eNews Update March 3, 2014

Advocacy Update and Alert FSCA now has a bill filed in the House by Representative Mark Danish, HB 1139, to accompany the Senate Bill 902 filed earlier this month by Senator Detert. Last week, five FSCA Advocacy Team members joined Carole Green in meeting with over 10 Senators and Representatives, plus Mr. McGhee in the Governor’s office. In our meetings, we distributed the “2014 handout for the hill” and discussed the importance of school counseling programs/counselors impacting students in our state. We were warmly and I would say, enthusiastically received by most of the representatives.   Being out of the starting gate now with both the senate and house having bills filed, I want to encourage you to take some “next steps”: 1) reach out to your colleagues and associates in your area of the state to encourage them to contact legislators asking for support of these bills, and  2) meet and communicate with your representatives. I am very hopeful that this bill will pass this year; and with such strong potential of providing critical evidence for the need of more school counselors to deliver and impact children, this bill will be a win-win for the work we do for children.  Thanks so much, Becky Schumacher FSCA President  Click here to download a letter from the FSCA President [.pdf - 314KB]  Click here to access a handout on advocacy tips [.pdf - 347KB] Click here to download a one page handout to give/send to your legislators [.pdf - 347KB]. SB 902 Counselor Bill [.pdf - 96KB] FSCAs 2014 Day on the Hill: A Legislative Update Webinar (FREE)

FSCA Announces the 2014 Scholarship Competition Eligibility & General Guidelines for Two $500 Scholarships: Participants should be high school seniors. Essays should not exceed one page providing detailed information on the impact your school counselor has had on you. ALL Essays must be submitted with a FSCA Essay Competition Entry Form Deadlines: April 4, 2014 - Deadline for submissions (post mark Date) May 1, 2014- Finalists announced Details listed in the Student section of the FSCA website. Click here to download the submission form.

2014 Convention: Save the Date OCTOBER 23, 2014 to OCTOBER 25, 2014   Pre-Convention Workshops & Opening Reception Thursday, October 23, 2014 Breakout Sessions & Awards Banquet Friday, October 24, 2014 Breakout Sessions Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25, 2014 DOUBLETREE by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld 10100 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32821   Click here to download to your calendar. More information published soon!

Upcoming Webinars FSCA's 2014 Day on the Hill: A Legislative Update FREE to all Wednesday, March 05, 2014 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM Eastern Discussion about CyberBullying and Substantial Disruption Test Monday, March 10, 2014 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM Eastern Learn more and register at http://www.fla-schoolcounselor.org/prof-dev/2014-webinars

Important Links: Legislative and Advocacy Alerts Graduate Student Links and Resources Webinar Replays on YouTube News You Can Use Blog from FSCA Follow FSCA on Twitter and Like us on Facebook

News You Can Use (Recent Posts) FSCA News You Can Use (Recent) Advocacy Update - March 3, 2014 Check out FSCA's upcoming webinars Test Taking Tips (Video) Coming Out As You: The Guide Biased-Based Bullying and School Counselor Preparation Survey Respect Dwindling in Schools Among Students and Teachers, Survey Says Various scholarships FSCA eNews Update February 14, 2014 If you want to receive an email notification for each new posting, visit http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=fla-schoolcounselor/news

FSCA Membership Your membership is so very important to the entire profession of school counseling in Florida. From FSCA's efforts in Tallahassee, to our quality professional development opportunities, to FSCA's tools, resources, and important information -- your membership dollars make a difference. If you have received this and are not a member, it's time to join. If you need to renew your FSCA membership, take a minute and do it now. FSCA's efforts are not cheap and we want to do more!

The Florida School Counselor Association (FSCA) expands the image and influence of professional school counselors through advocacy, leadership, collaboration and systemic change at the state level. FSCA empowers professional school counselors with the knowledge, skills, linkages, and resources to promote student success in the school, the home, the community, and the world.

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