President’s Letter: Caring for Kansas Families

I am constantly amazed at the innovative programs developed by Kansas school counselors to create environments of acceptance and inclusion for all students and their families. Last month I attended a Council for Public School Improvement (CPSI) Administrative Roundtable on school mental health where Kristin Wright presented to a group of school superintendents and administrators about all of the great programming taking place at Lincoln Elementary School in USD 379. Be sure to check out her presentation! KSCA president-elect Dr. Judy Hughey also spoke on the importance of comprehensive K–12 school counseling programs in every Kansas school. Thanks to both for representing our profession so well!
 
To further common understanding of a school counselor’s training and role, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has an officially adopted position statement on the School Counselor and School-Family-Community Partnerships. ASCA has also drafted new position statements on the topics of children experiencing homelessness and supporting children in foster care. A point-in-time count conducted last year by the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition showed that, on a single night, 272 Kansas children were sleeping in emergency shelters, transitional housing, and Safe Havens. These numbers reflect only a percentage of our youth who qualify for protections under the McKinney-Vento Act. Last fall, the Kansas Legislature established a Child Welfare System Task Force to study and provide recommendations on improving the child welfare system in Kansas. It has been both challenging and rewarding to serve as a member of the general administration working group to improve conditions for children in care. At the ESU Counselor Conference last November, more than 80 school counselors attended my session, “The School Counselor’s Role in Supporting Youth in Foster Care.” I welcome you to use of the resources from the resulting shared foster care folder and feel free to email me if you would like to add additional content. This is one small way we can support one another in advocating for underserved children.
 
Colleagues, waste no time in registering for Kansas State University’s School Counseling Camp scheduled for May 29-30, 2018, in Manhattan, Kansas. I look forward to seeing you all there for a KSCA special membership meeting! Until then, our KSCA board members wish you a strong finish to the school year. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to us if we can support your work further!
 
Contact Susana Ortiz Prochaska, KSCA President, at ksschoolcounselor@gmail.com