WSASP Advocacy News

Recent Federal Advocacy News

Late this summer, NASP informed us of an Advocacy Action Request.  Congress was debating spending bills that would begin October 1.   Following is the information we were given:

"The Labor-HHS-Ed Committee report (which includes funding for the Department of Education) includes language encouraging the Department of Education to use some of the $95 million from School Safety National Activities to go towards addressing shortages in our field.

An amendment is going to be submitted that will require the Department to set aside $10 million for this program, requiring implementation of this grant by the US Department of Education. This is an amazing opportunity as it would set the stage for ongoing federal investments intended to help address the shortages in school psychology."

They asked that members call their senators asking for their support on this amendment.  After national efforts, this amendment did pass!  Thank you for your continued support!

The last month has been challenging for many school psychologists, educators, and citizens in our state and nation. At the federal level, Betsy DeVos was confirmed as the new Secretary of Education, an appointment that many in the education community actively fought against. Here in Washington, there has been little positive movement toward finding a solution for education funding in the early days of the new session. In addition to our personal and professional lives, this charged political climate can be a lot to take in.  On a positive note, thousands showed up at the Capitol on MLK day to be a strong voice for education in our state, and members of your GPR committee were there to represent you!  We continue to review bills, write public comments, and soon will be meeting with the new Superintendent of Public Instruction and other key stakeholders at OSPI.

As citizens, we are responsible for monitoring our government, and as people in a democracy, we have an obligation to speak out when that government is not fulfilling its duty. We know that it is hard to find the time to participate and stay emotionally engaged. While your GPR committee is asking you to persevere and to stay involved, we will be there, supporting you every step of the way.  Now more than ever, our students need strong advocates, and we believe you are all capable of being that.

Your GPR committee will be working hard in the coming weeks and months to identify actions you can easily take at the state and national level to be part of a collective voice regarding education as well as our profession.  Check the website, read those emails, and please follow through on these calls to action that will be coming. Stand with us as we work to advocate for what our students need and deserve, and be the advocates they need us to be!

Your WSASP GPR Committee would like to invite you to participate with us in our first ever WSASP Week of Action, an experience in grassroots advocacy. This week of proactive activities will take place March 13-17, 2017. Modeled after the idea of a ‘Hill Day,’ in which constituents contact or meet with their elected officials to advocate, our action will be for a week instead of a day. Because Washington weather can be unpredictable in early spring, we will be offering opportunities for you to participate locally if you are unable to make it to Olympia. We are hoping that you will be inspired to participate at multiple levels, including but not limited to: writing letters to the editor, sending emails or form letters, calling your elected representatives, and meeting with them in Olympia or with their staffers in their home districts. 

Stay tuned; you will be offered multiple levels of support along the way. We hope that you will be inspired to make your voice heard—we need to stand together to support education for all students! If you have any questions, contact your GPR committee at gpr@wsasp.org. 

1900, the bill we worked so hard on last year, has passed the House!  Now it will move into the Senate and go through the same process, but we are half way there!

Although 5688 did not officially pass, the initiative was funded, and currently the work group we advocated to be a part of is being formed!

The Senate version of the SEL bill (5688, companion to House Bill 1760) was passed and moved on to the Appropriations committee!  Two members of the GPR were able to testify in support of this bill in March, and the committee heard us loud and clear!

HB1760 has been sitting in appropriations for a while now, hopefully we will see some movement!

The Senate has passed SB 5688! We are excited and thankful to those who voted yes on this important bill!  I will keep you updated as it moves through the process to become a law!

This just in - your WSASP Governmental and Public Relations Committee was acknowledged by NASP for all our hard work. While attending the NASP Convention, state leaders all across the country were informed of our efforts and successes in legislature for Washington school psychologists!

The Education Committee heard us loud and clear! The changes we requested on HB 1760, SB 5688, and HB 1900 were all integrated into amendments.

 HB 1900 starts at 1:12:10, AUDIO ONLY