Advocacy
NASP works on legislative efforts in collaboration with partner organizations, coalitions, state associations, and individual advocates to support school psychologists and their communities. There are also grassroots advocacy opportunities for supporters of our policy stances. Grassroots participation in advocacy at the local, state, and federal level is crucial to the advancement of the profession of school psychology and increased access to comprehensive school psychological services. NASP has numerous resources to help you advocate for children and youth in your schools and communities.
Tools and Resources
NASP seeks to advance policies and practices that expand the role of the school psychologist to increase access to comprehensive school psychological services that improve the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health outcomes of children and youth. NASP makes available a variety of resources to assist in member advocacy, including a policy playbook to get you started on your advocacy efforts, and more in-depth resources on specific policy topics relevant to school psychology.
Personal and Team-Based
Advocacy is both a team and individual activity and process. As an individual, it's important to stay aware of current policy issues in the state and country impacting the profession and the students and communities you serve. NASP maintains the Policy Matters blog to help you sort through relevant current events and give you personal advocacy tips. Additionally, a dedicated committee of volunteer leaders coach state associations and advocates to effectively create policy change through training and education.
Communicating the Value of School Psychologists
You've probably heard the saying, "if you're not at the table, you're on the menu." Critical to effective advocacy is articulating the value of school psychologists to decision makers at all levels including parents, teachers, principals, school boards, superintendents, state education agencies, the media, and state and federal legislators. NASP recognizes the importance of your work and the positive impact school psychologists have on school and student success; we need everyone else to recognize it, too.
Advocacy Action Center
Make your voice heard. NASP's Advocacy Action Center is a one-stop shop for you to advocate on the policy issues that matter to school psychologists by writing or calling your congressional representatives.
NASP Advocacy Team
Kari Oyen
Chair, GPR Committee
Julia Szarko
Cochair, GPR Committee
Kelly Vaillancourt-Strobach
Director, Policy and Advocacy
Maria Cornell
Manager, Policy and Advocacy