FSCA eNews Update - July 19, 2014

July 19, 2014

Advocacy Update With the help of Senator Nancy Detert and with the signature of Senate President Gaetz, the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability known as  OPPAGA has been assigned to study and produce a report to the Legislature regarding the utilization and availability of school counselors in the state of Florida. We should soon have a timeline regarding the guidelines and processes they will be using.  This continues to be an exciting time for Florida school counselors as we should finally have the documentation that has been lacking in order to continue moving forward with much needed legislation. For now, you should continue to reach out to your Legislator and make an appointment go to his/her local office. Talk to them about just what you do each and every day and give them some personal stories about the students that you have had the opportunity to interact with. Every single meeting across the state does make a difference. Even if you can only meet with the Legislative Aide, that is OK too. You will be sharing with them information that they can only learn from YOU.

2014 FSCA Convention 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 Important Links: Hotel Reservations for the 2014 Convention Register for Convention Preconvention Workshops Keynote Speakers Professional Recognition Description and Nomination Application (Nominations due AUGUST 15th!) Exhibitor and Sponsorship Information Proposal Submissions (Proposals due JULY 12th!) Purchase Guest Tickets to the Awards Luncheon (for people not registered for the convention)

FSCA Professional Recognition Awards FSCA is committed to recognizing the outstanding work done by School Counselors, Administrators, and Advocates of the School Counseling profession. FSCA recognizes School Counselors and other individuals who excel in promoting and facilitating the role of School Counselors in Florida. Awards will be presented during an Awards Banquet on Friday, October 24, 2014, at the DoubleTree by Hilton SeaWorld in Orlando, FL during the FSCA Annual Convention, October 23-October 25, 2014. The nomination and application packet deadline is August 15, 2014. Click here to review each award category. Click here to download the nomination form [.doc 39Kb] Important Reminder: Professional Recognition at the State Level (SCA) is required for Professional Recognition at the National Level (ASCA). In addition, all ASCA Nominations for Counselor of the Year must come from the State School Counselor Associations. Only FSCA can submit nominations for the ASCA School Counselor of the Year.

FSCA Magazine: Florida School Counselor In this issue: Ethics Questions Asked and Answered Three experts answer frequent legal and ethical questions to help guide you in your daily work. The STEPS Model for School Settings   This 9-step model provides a process for coming to the best possible decision in challenging ethical situations. Raising Red Flags in Data Collection When proving that school counselors matter, don’t lose sight of student privacy, parental consent, and other important issues. Reinforce Your Ethics Knowledge Use these resources to deepen your understanding of the ethics issues you may face as a school counselor. Congratulations to the Semi-Finalists for 2014 School Counselor of the Year **Bonus Section: College Prep for Counselors** Personality-Major Match and College Success Choosing a major and a college are life-changing decisions, and can have a major impact on students’ college success. College Admissions in a Nutshell If you’re a new high school counselor or in a new school and helping students with college admissions, here are some basics about the process. The Legal and Ethical Complications in Letters of Recommendation Counselor Education from the College Board How can you handle letters for weak or problem students, and should you include confidential student information or notify admissions offices of changes?   Remember that links and ads are clickable to learn more, access resources, and respond. View it online or download from here

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) First Lady Addresses School Counselors at the ASCA 2014 Convention Federal Funds Available for School Counseling Programs How A Text Message Could Revolutionize Student Aid 2014 Florida School Counselor RAMP Recipients First lady Michelle Obama addresses school counselors Public Comment Period: The ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success Call for Authors- opportunity to share your group counseling activities! Montessori Foundation Event on Learning Differences- Speaker Dr. Joyce Pickering BJS Releases 2013 School Crime and Safety Report SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ALACHUA COUNTY SUPERVISOR II -- GUIDANCE SERVICES Medicaid and CHIP offer free or low-cost health coverage for eligible kids and teens 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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