Connecticut School Counselor Association
Promoting Excellence in School Counseling since 1963
Government Relations & Advocacy Committee (GRAC)
Committee Chairman: Virginia DeLong, cscaadvocacy@gmail.com
2020-2021
Legislative Materials
~Infographic -
"How CT is Falling Short in School Counseling"
Please contact your legislators and share the above information with them
2020-2021
"Advocacy for School Counselors" Workshop
10/14/2020
Click below for the PowerPoint
Government Relations Tools
Check out our Google Folder full of Advocacy Tools
Use these resources to advocate with administrators,
board of education members, legislators, etc.
Need help with advocacy?
Contact cscaadvocacy@gmail.com to get help from the Government Relations Committee
Government Relations Updates
(click for more details)
1. Directing Funding to School Support Services Staff
2. Requiring Districts to Employ Elementary Level School Counselors
3. Ensuring School Counselors Are Spending 80% of Time on Direct Services
Check out our other ADVOCACY RESOURCES under the Advocacy tab
CSCA's Recent Testimony
Higher Ed Committee, Thursday February 13, 2020
SB 17: An Act Requiring the Completion of the FAFSA
The CSCA members were survey about this legislation and 80% of respondents were not in favor of this bill. However, 10% were, so testimony was written to reflect the comments from both sides. The CSCA is grateful to all who responded as your input is incredibly important to providing an accurate picture of how school counselors across Connecticut feel.
Appropriations Subcommittee Elementary & Secondary Education, Thursday February 13, 2020
H.B. No. 5005 AN ACT ADJUSTING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2021.
The CSCA testified to the appropriations committee in charge of funding to ask them to support the need for the funding of more school counselors in all of our schools, including the elementary level, in order to decrease the high counselor to student ratios.
P.A. 19-63 An Act Concerning Guidelines for a Comprehensive School Counselor Program
has been signed by Governor Lamont!
Thank-you to all who put forth advocacy efforts
to help get this bill passed!
Please take a few minutes to contact your legislators (see below listing)
and ask them to support our priorities.
Specifically, ask them to propose or support a bill that would give all students access to a school counselor by school districts implementing comprehensive school counseling programs.
New Elected Officials
CSCA Government Relations Committee & Lobbyist
Updates
~2018 Legislative Session Summary
Writing To Your Legislators
Advocating for our profession is so important. As a school counselor, consider reaching out to your legislators by writing them a letter/email in regards to important issues in the school counseling profession.
Conversing with Your Legislators
The best way to connect with legislators to talk about school counseling issues is in person. If you're able to schedule a face-to-face meeting with your legislator (this includes virtual video calls), here are some key topics to discuss:
1. The differences between a “guidance counselor” and a “school counselor”,
2. For the state to ensure that all Connecticut public school students have access to a comprehensive school counseling program K-12, that is implemented by certified school counseling personnel,
3. Require that the term “school counselor” apply only to certified school counselors that require a Master’s degree with specific counseling coursework and field work experiences in school counseling,
4. Discussing appropriate school counseling ratios at all levels, (no more than a 250:1 ratio).
5. Discuss your own personal experiences as a counselor - positives and challenges. Why is this proposed legislation important to you as a counselor?
Remember - legislators are people too! While it can be nerve wracking, these meetings are SO important to the future of our profession
If you would like to request a CSCA Board Member attend a face to face meeting with your legislator with you, please reach out to cscaadvocacy@gmail.com.
Use these policy priorities (2020) as attachments to your letters/emails and conversations with legislators:
Advocating for Your School Counseling Program
