Leadership Letter: Abundant Connections and Support

As we enter into the last couple of months of the 2022–2023 school year, we reflect on an abundant year.

Our year began with Leadership Development Institute, a time when our board gathers together to plan and connect. At this meeting, the Connecticut School Counselor Association chair, Sharon Veatch, shared that school counselors are the "frontline mental health supports in schools." That has stuck with me throughout the year, realizing this is a lot to hold, but in reality we all do. We have a job that is in constant consideration of others: kids, staff, administration, parents, Board of Ed, ourselves. 

CSCA has become a resource not only professionally but also personally, a space for connection, collaboration and support. Being the sole school counselor in an elementary building can be lonely. I’m grateful in my reflection on the social connections as well as the professional connections. I can ask for help and lean on others, something I have learned is necessary for growth.

CSCA has been working hard for our members. This school year we are updating and finalizing our bylaws – stay tuned for this document. Our DEI Committee is growing to build professional development, networking and events related to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. We are also in the process of creating our CSCA Care and Compassion Program, which will help recognize and give back to deserving school counselors across the state! Custom sticker sales proceeds will fund these supports. In October, CSCA participated in the AFSP Walk in Hartford and raised money through donations to support AFSPCT's efforts. We also finalized and published our strategic plan. In February, we celebrated our members during National School Counseling Week and watched engagement go through the roof. Don't forget to keep following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We also had a special CSCA merchandise store where members ordered custom flannels, hoodies, collared shirts and many other items. Be on the lookout for our spring merchandise! CSCA remains busy in other ways as well.

CSCA's Advocacy Committee continues to meet with legislators to discuss filling school counselor vacancies by supporting our Counselor Educator programs. We have proposed legislation to create a paid internship program to keep students in our counselor educator programs and diversify the profession. We’ve also been working with legislators to create a bill that works for everyone and supports our students' needs regarding the SRO bill that has gained statewide attention. CSCA is proud of all of our hard work and it wouldn't be possible without our strong membership and volunteers on the board.

We are excited to be celebrating more in person connections. We have our awards gala and our annual conference, CT School Counselors Are Out of This World! Thank you to Sacred Heart University for hosting our conference this year. We are so excited to see familiar and new faces! 

When you can't find what you need within you, turn to your professional community, the Connecticut School Counselor Association!

Contact Lisa Kilcourse, Connecticut School Counselor Association director, at kilcoursel@gmail.com.