Legislative Priorities

In general, ASCA advocates at the federal level for policies that support school counseling and K-12 students. ASCA’s current legislative priorities follow:

1. Increase funding to support student access to academic, career and social/emotional development.This includes hiring more school counselors and other school-based mental health professionals.
2. Advocate for and advance equitable policies that further the ability of each student to be college and career ready upon graduation.
3. Address the needs for a shortage of an adequately prepared school counseling workforce and a diverse workforce to better match the student population. 
4. Support safe and healthy schools. 
   1. Continue to monitor legislation that impacts the US Department of Education, SAMHSA, DOJ and others to increase access to mental health services, school safety and prevention and early intervention services.
   2. Invest in prevention and early intervention services – especially in the elementary grades.