Collaboration, Consultation and the Respected Role of the California School Counselor

Now more than ever, state-level strategic conversations have school counselors at the table. The broad-based consensus amongst policy makers and thought leaders is that we cannot have a robust instructional program without school-based mental health professionals (SBMHP) fully funded and working in our schools. So what does this mean? Your hard work is paying off! CASC’s hard work is paying off!

School counselors have been deemed essential workers and essential leaders when it comes to the mental health needs of California’s students. A collaborative endeavor was initiated in June by California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond. Thurmond called on school- and community-based mental health professionals to meet for the purpose of strengthening mental health support for K–12 students. Some of these efforts are highlighted in a recent article published by the Sierra Sun Times.

I am fortunate to sit on one of these committees with Tony Thurmond and see how conversations between school- and community-based mental health professionals are bridging long-held silos. These committee members are addressing many issues, including recognizing each other's roles and expertise, understanding FERPA and HIPAA regulations, and, as one person said at a committee meeting, “We must better define what we do and learn to stay in our own lanes.” These conversations are necessary and long-held silos are being eliminated.

2020 has become a rallying cry for collaboration to better meet the mental health needs of students statewide, with partnerships extending into a number of efforts. As you will read in this newsletter, Dr. Loretta Whitson's article discusses how CASC has led the efforts to meet the needs of those affected by the California fires. Efforts are also underway to produce a collaborative document, authored by leaders from CASC, California Association of School Psychologists (CASP) and California Association of School Social Workers (CASSW). With all that has gone on in 2020, school-based mental health professionals have banded together like never before.

I would be remiss if I did not congratulate conference chair Leia Eckstein, who led the efforts to provide professional development for more than 1,000 attendees last month. CASC’s virtual conference, “Revolution: Equity, Disparities, and Student Mental Health,” was hugely successful, between a movie screening and dynamic keynote presenters. This conference was laser focused on providing engaging training to support attendees with the tools they need to address trauma and racial unrest, and to initiate conversations to spark hope in the lives of our students. The best part: Access to the sessions is available until December 10! If you missed out, check with the CASC office at 909-815-5222 to see how to view the 50+ recordings and access presenters’ materials.

As we look toward next year (and we deserve a better year), we are excited to announce a number of events during National School Counseling Week, February 1–5, 2021. This is a great time to highlight the effective work you are doing and remind our school communities about the value of school counselors. We are also excited to honor all of our CASC award winners and celebrate California’s 2021 School Counselor of the Year, Alma Lopez from Lingston, California.

As difficult as 2020 has been, let me say that these troubling times have not deterred me. I am honored to be your CASC president. I am proud of our statewide collective efforts. I appreciate the work of CASC that has brought attention to the need for more school counselors – which now provides the platform for us to strengthen services for California students. The community of school counselors is here for you. Connect! Connect through Facebook and other social media platforms. Attend our virtual get-togethers. I find that connecting with the community of school counselors is rejuvenating. Last, let's all stop and recognize the educational communities that have made the wise choice to continue adding school counselors to their workforce and who turn to school counselors to lead in these unprecedented times.

Contact Josh Godinez, CASC president, at josh.godinez@schoolcounselor-ca.org.