From your delegate;(October 2011)

I hope your school year is off to a good start. I am pleased to write to you 
this month with a number of exciting developments. 
 
Registration is now open for the NASP 2012 Annual Convention. With an exciting 
lineup of sessions planned, including a keynote address from author and 
education expert Diane Ravitch, this year's convention is one you won't want to 
miss. Join us in Philadelphia, February 21-24, to reinvigorate your passion for 
school psychology. Remember, the earlier you register at 
www.nasponline.org/conventions the more you save! 
 
I am happy to announce the launch of the NASP Communities, a new member benefit 
that lets you network with other school psychologists and experts in the field. 
Some of you will have noticed the daily digest messages in your e-mail box. For 
those who haven't, visit http://communities.nasponline.org to join the community 
discussions and get advice on specific issues. You can also search the libraries 
to find resources, and post your own. Take advantage of this central place for 
all things school psychology! 
 
After visiting the new Communities, download the NASP Communities Mobile app to 
view the discussions in an easy-to-read mobile format. You can find instructions 
for your mobile device at www.nasponline.org/communities/mobile-app.aspx. 
 
NASP has more than twenty Interest Groups offering focused discussion and 
activities in key practice areas. The Pediatric School Psychology Interest Group 
was recently created to provide members opportunities to exchange ideas for 
research collaboration and practice related to working with children and 
families of children with chronic health and neurodevelopmental conditions in 
schools, promoting health of all students, and linking systems of care. Go to 
the Communities today at http://communities.nasponline.org and subscribe to the 
Interest Group Community discussions of interest! 
 
Do you have an outstanding student or member of your school community who has 
made a special impact? School Psychology Awareness Week is November 14-18, 2011. 
Now is the time to start thinking of nominees for the Student Power Award and 
Possibilities in Action Partner Award. Visit www.nasponline.org/spaw for program 
guidelines as well as descriptions of both programs. 
 
I look forward to continuing to communicate with you throughout the school year 
and to seeing you in Philadelphia in February. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Karen Estes, NCSP 
NASP State Delegate - RI 

The NASP Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychological Services, also known as the NASP Practice Model, represents NASP’s official policy regarding the delivery of school psychological services.

NASP Practice Model Assessment, Implementation, and Promotion Resources

The NASP Practice Model:

• Delineates skills and services available from school psychologists across 10 domains of practice
• Describes the general framework within which services should be provided
• Promotes the connection between school psychologists’ training, standards, and actual practice
• Recommends a ratio for schools implementing this comprehensive model of one school psychologist to 500–700 students (1:500-700) depending on level of need within the student population
• Creates the capacity to make the best, most cost-effective use of school psychologists’ skills and expertise, which are an existing but sometimes underutilized resource in schools
• Allows flexibility for agencies and professionals to develop policies and procedures that meet local needs, while also providing sufficient specificity to ensure appropriate, comprehensive service provision
• Provides a reference for assessing continuing professional development needs
• Provides an organized and coherent framework to advocate for and communicate about school psychological services

Adopting the NASP Practice Model helps schools:

• Improve academic engagement and achievement
• Facilitate effective instruction
• Support positive behavior and socially successful students
• Support diverse learners
• Create safe, positive school climates
• Strengthen family–school-community partnerships
• Improve student, classroom, and school-wide assessment and accountability
• Invest existing resources wisely

School Psychologists: Helping children achieve their best in school, at home, in life.

School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support teachers’ ability to teach and children’s ability to learn. They provide direct educational, behavioral, and mental health services for children and youth, as well as work with families, school administrators, educators, and other professionals to create supportive learning and social environments for all students. They have particular expertise in data collection, analysis and interpretation for student achievement and school improvement. School psychologists can be a valuable resource for school administrators, teachers and other staff.

Develop a plan for promoting the NASP Practice Model.

Taking the time to develop a plan will help you target important dates (e.g., meetings), select the right strategy and messages for each audience, and coordinate efforts with your colleagues. There are links above to a PowerPoint presentation and a brochure on the NASP website.  Here are a few strategies for communicating with and educating key stakeholders.

• Request a meeting with district leaders - Use the PowerPoint presentation or distribute brochures.
• Write an article for your school/district newsletter or listserv.
• Hold a brown bag discussion for school staff
• Make a presentation the your school committee -  school psychologists in Montgomery County MD recently presented the model to their school board during which one member said: "Wow, I had no idea you all were trained to do all that!"