Be an Advocate via ASCA Resources

As school counselors, we advocate for all of our students. We may have students from different socioeconomic backgrounds, living situations, and family configurations. As we try to help with all of our students’ needs and the needs of their families, we will want to be aware of a variety of resources. Some may include school-based resources such as counseling services, tutoring, referrals to programs that help with clothes and food, and after-school programs for at-risk kids. Community resources may include programs that help with housing and utilities, and referrals to social services.

In gathering resources to share with parents, we can find many through the ASCA website. The site provides parent resources that are available to the general public, including back-to-school tips And articles of interest to parents. Many of the programs ASCA has discussed can benefit our students and their families, including Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students), the father involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering that organizes fathers and father figures to provide positive male role models for the students and to enhance school security. Another program is Parents Helping Parents, a nonprofit, community-based, parent-directed family resource center “providing lifetime guidance, supports and services to children with any special need, their families and the professionals who serve them.” Families and Schools Together (FAST) which is a family strengthening and involvement program delivered in schools and communities using multifamily group interaction to build relationships, impart values and empower parents.

To help us be better school counselors, we can use the ASCA website to access many online resources for counselors, including participating in the ASCA Scene, which allows us the chance to connect and collaborate with other counselors. Through the ASCA Scene website, we can ask questions, share concerns, post documents, find resources, and get ideas to help us in running our counseling programs.

I hope this month’s issue will provide some ideas about how we can be advocates for our programs. The ASCA website links us to many different resources that help make our job as counselors easier. By recognizing the benefits of these resources, we are better able to be advocates for each of our students.
 
Contact Jana Timmons, USCA Elementary VP, jana.timmons@washk12.org. 

In Memoriam

Wally Cowan, our beloved colleague and friend passed away suddenly on Friday, November 3, 2017. For the past several years, he worked as a counselor at Cyprus High School in Magna, Utah. As his fellow counselors, we wish to pay tribute to his life and service. During his short life, he touched the lives of many – including both students and adults. Wally was an example of selfless patience and care for all around him. Those of us who were privileged to work closely with him will always remember his kindness to his students and his ability to find an analogy to baseball for any situation.

We honor Wally's passionate devotion to his family, his love of baseball, and his loyalty to the Utes. In addition to working as a counselor, Wally coached high school baseball at multiple schools over the years including Cyprus, Bingham, and East High School. Wednesdays will never be the same again without his voice loudly proclaiming down the hallway, “Hump Day!” He was a great man and it was an honor to know and work with him. 

 Wally, you changed us for the better. We love you and we will sorely miss you! Once a pirate, always a pirate!

- Cyprus High Counselors