FSCA eNews Update February 14, 2014

FSCA eNews Update February 14, 2014

Advocacy Alert Senate Bill 902 has been filed! The purpose of this bill is to ensure that public school students in this state have access to high-quality, evidence-based school counseling programs. The bill establishes a Blue Ribbon Panel Task Force that will study the impact school counselors have on the classroom, and this bill supports a grant program to help schools hire additional counselors. The purpose of the task force is to study whether there is a demonstrable relationship between expanding counseling resources in public schools and early detection of mental health issues in students, improved academic performance and student attendance, higher graduation rates, and decreased behavioral disruptions on the part of students. The Blue Ribbon Panel will also be tasked with making recommendations for the Florida's School Counseling and Guidance Framework. Please take a few moments to see the latest advocacy update regarding the newly filed bill on behalf of FSCA and how you can help advocate right now. http://www.fla-schoolcounselor.org/advocacy/legislative-update

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!

Congratulations to Linda Martin FSCA is proud to say that Orlando School Counselor Linda Martin was among five finalists for the 2014 School Counselor of the Year awards program of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). The award honors the professionals who devote their careers to serving as advocates – and often lifesavers – for the nation’s students.   Read more here and here. Watch a short video on YouTube here. Check out Twitter coverage of the event here.

FSCA Governing Board Elections At this time of year, the Florida School Counselor Association (FSCA) solicits candidates for its Governing Board. Please help us identify the next generation of Florida's school counseling leadership by seeking an elected office or by encouraging those you believe to be talented leaders in your area to become candidates. Deadline to submit packet: February 21, 2014 postmarked by 5pm Download an application here.

FSCA Magazine: Florida School Counselor 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) ARTS FOR LIFE! 2013-2014 Scholarship Application Study invitation: School counselors’ beliefs and attitudes about Latino student safety and experiences of bias-motivated bullying Be it resolved: Designating February 3 through 7, 2014, as `National School Counseling Week'. Dealing with Test Anxiety (Handout) Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention Guide for Developing ... School Emergency Operations Plans Gun Violence: The President's Plan Recent links of interest National School Counseling Week from FSCA 2013-14 Arts for Life! Scholarship Program - Deadline Extended Save the Date: FSCA 2014 Convention 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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