|
|
New Hampshire Association of School Psychologists (NHASP) |
|
|
 |
|
|
JOIN NHASP NOW! NEW!
RTI in Mathematics Conference
April 1st!
Click here for the brochure!
|
The New Hampshire Association of School Psychologists in the 21st century will be a vibrant association, supporting its members in their commitment to fostering strong children, schools and families in New Hampshire. NHASP members are united in advocacy for children. We believe that each child in New Hampshire has the right:
NHASP will work to achieve these goals through:
The Association will play an active role in ensuring that all children learn how to read, that mental health needs are identified and addressed early, that resilience in children is fostered, that parents are empowered to help their children grow academically and emotionally, that school psychologists are actively involved in making educational decisions that are data-based rather than fad-driven, and that school psychologists participate in profession development that results in reflective and continually improving practice. The Association will work to ensure that an overwhelming majority of New Hampshire's school children have access to certified school psychologists. Through its efforts, school psychological services in New Hampshire will become a required educational service in all schools, and school psychologists will spend their time in practices that maximize their effectiveness. On a daily basis, school psychologists will provide direct and indirect support for parents, teachers, administrators, educational support personnel, and for students in ways that are visible, meaningful, and effective The Association will work to promote the highest standards of care for children. This will include providing a seamless system of services within each school district and promoting collaboration with state and community agencies to enable children and families to receive the support they need in whatever setting that support is best provide The Association will support models of school reform designed to remove the barriers between children and teachers, between parents and schools, and between regular education and special education. It will promote an array of programs and services for children with the goal of providing direct instruction to ensure proficiency in the basic skills of reading, writing, and mathematics. Programs and services will be provided on the basis of children's unique needs and not on the basis of labels or categories. Programs will recognize developmental diversity of children and youth from age zero to 21 with regard to physical, cognitive and social-emotional characteristics, aptitudes and interests. The Association will assist its members in advocating for appropriate teaching and learning of students. NHASP members will develop, help implement, and promote effective programs that meet the education and mental health needs of students in New Hampshire. They will help schools access funding to support programs that benefit children and will assist in grant-writing, training, and program evaluation to enable schools to build innovative models of service to meet the targeted needs of their students. They will help schools link to mental health centers and to other community agencies to close the gaps that might leave children under-served or needs unmet. NHASP will promote the use of emerging technologies to facilitate networking, collaboration, and effective service delivery. The Association will increase its ties to state government in order to promote a vision of "wrap-around" services for children, to improve the delivery of mental health services to children, and to ensure that all children in New Hampshire have equal access to quality education. The Association will disseminate information to every school in the state regarding the role of the school psychologist in the educational community and how to best utilize school psychologists' time and expertise. The Association will collect, publish, and disseminate information regarding best practices in assessments and interventions for students with learning and behavior problems, effective teaching strategies, and services and resources for parents. The Association will seek an active and diverse leadership, and will promote the active involvement of a large percentage of members in Association activities. NHASP will provide yearly forums for continuing education of its membership and will ensure that finances continue to be strong in order to fulfill the Association's mission and to enable its charitable arm to benefit the lives of children throughout the state. NHASP will continue to participate in national and international efforts to promote school psychology and to improve the lives of children throughout the world.
Creating a dynamic and vital organization of support for the profession Enhancing our skills and creating opportunities to expand our services
To define NHASP's identity to our own members, to potential members, and to the larger communities Objectives Establish permanent NHASP location: a) phone number with voice mail and mailbox addresses for Executive Board; b) NHASP post office box, mailing address; c) internet site; d) hiring website coordinator Communication to/from members: a) eliciting/disseminating information re specific areas of members' expertise; b) use website to distribute Executive Board meeting minutes; c ) information regarding resources e.g., library), monies for members (e.g., research grants, regular support group funding options; d) having prepared handouts available on the website for distribution. Continue to provide professional development opportunities Objectives Maintain current activities (fall workshop, winter workshop, library, regional support groups, newsletter, taping conference speakers). Explore new opportunities such as a mentoring program, summer institute, directory of areas of expertise among members offering internet-based courses, etc. Increase visibility and promote the profession of school psychology to the general public and to community leaders at state and local levels Objectives Sponsor and provide educational events on child/adolescent growth and development. Develop/purchase, and/or distribute child development information to decision makers and service providers. Promote and implement activities that directly impact children's continual growth and development Objectives Promote the awareness of school psychology through NHASP promotional materials and media exposure of member achievements Participate in NHISST, Edies, Task Forces, and other coalitions Disseminate information that describes the role, professional training, and research regarding best practices for service delivery to school superintendents, school boards, special education directors, parent advocates, state legislators, and child and family agencies. Promote international and multicultural perspectives on school psychology among NHASP members. Objectives Co-sponsor the ISPA colloquium in the year 2000. Seek to include international and multicultural activities, such as children's panel discussion, speakers from Canada, speakers on diversity, etc. Seek to include international and multicultural perspectives in the newsletter, i.e., exchanging international newsletters, publishing articles in the newsletter, etc. |
|
To live in
homes that are safe and loving;