| KANSAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS
Empowering Children, Educators, and Families |
Kansas Association of School Psychologists
Winter 2025 Edition
Lina Kitson, Editor Shelby Reichard, Associate Editor
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Dear KASP Members, I am excited to share some updates from our recent board retreat held on January 10th and 11th. During the retreat, the KASP board worked diligently on several key initiatives. We focused on refining our strategic plan, planning for upcoming conferences, and making progress toward the Interstate Compact. It was wonderful to see such a great turnout of school psychologists at the mental health advocacy day held at the state capitol in Topeka. The event has grown significantly, with many organizations joining us. If you were unable to make it to Mental Health Advocacy Day, you can always set up an in person or Zoom appointment with your state representatives. If you are unsure of who your representative is, you can look this information up here. Through these meetings with our representatives, we have been able to make positive changes for our students. Our advocacy efforts are yielding positive results. Some board members have successfully added psychology positions in their districts after presenting the shortages report infographic to their boards. As a board, we are working diligently toward passing the Interstate Compact Bill. These examples underscore the positive impact of advocacy. The shortages report infographics are available here if you'd like to utilize these in your advocacy efforts. Another great visual to use when advocating is the 10 Domains of the NASP Practice Model. I look forward to our continued work as a state organization to ensure that all students reach their full potential. Best regards, Brittany Vigilius, President, KASP |
Board Minute Summary by Madison Rziha, Secretary The KASP Executive Board convened in Heston, Kansas on the evening of Friday, January 10, 2025, and on Saturday, January 11, 2025. On Friday, January 10, 2025, board members engaged in roll call and introductions, including welcoming new members. Members of the board engaged in onboarding procedures, which included a brief discussion and review of board responsibilities, the Constitution, and bylaws. Board members discussed upcoming advocacy efforts and initiatives including the Mental Health Advocacy Day and the Interstate Compact. It was shared that Ainsley’s Angels were presented with $748 from recent KASP fundraising efforts. In addition, two members of the board shared how they have been able to utilize the Shortages Report to add positions in their cooperatives. The meeting on Saturday, January 11, 2025, was called to order at 8:46am. Board members reviewed and updated the Meeting Norms document. Modifications were made to the existing norms to include information regarding regular attendance. Following this, board members engaged in group discussions to review and update the Strategic Plan. The board established a plan for further refining and prioritizing strategic goals and actions for the upcoming year. Board members discussed participating in a book study (Courageous Conversations about Race) to incorporate this knowledge as part of the strategic plan. The Treasurer report was presented including the 2024 end of year report and the 2025 proposed budget. The treasurer proposed an increase in the government relations category to allow sending two board members to PPI. A budget line was also created for digital archiving of the KASP historical documents. Board members also discussed, and it was voted to increase the stipends of the Convention Chair and Executive Manager. The Government & Public Relations report was shared and included a discussion of the Interstate Compact Legislation and Mental Health Advocacy Day (January 23, 2025). The NASP Delegate report was shared including an update to the format of the Delegate Dialogue meetings. The Region reports were shared, including potential training opportunities. The Conference Chair report was shared including discussion of potential locations for upcoming conferences. The board members discussed the benefits of following a rotation for the conventions. Board members also discussed the most effective way for members to receive CPD when attending the convention. A new plan will be trialed at the upcoming convention. |
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Meet our newly elected board members
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Are you going to NASP? Please join us for a Central Region Gathering!
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Come have a virtual lunch with NASP delegate, Lina Kitson! These monthly meetings are intended to connect Kansas school psychologists. Please complete this one question survey to share what you would like to be discussed during these meetings. SAVE THE DATE February's Lunch with Lina will be on 2/28 at 12:00. Please join using this link. |
Timely Topics |
Timely Reading Supporting-Students-Amid-Political-Events 11.2024 (2).pdf News On January 29, 2025, a plane crash occurred in Washington, D.C. with individuals traveling from Wichita, Kansas. Unfortunately, there were casualties from this incident. At KASP, we want to support students and families during this time of grief and loss. As school psychologists, we can help with crisis response within our districts and support students and families experiencing trauma from this incident. NASP has resources that can assist for working with students and districts during this difficult time. Please reach out to kaspempowers@gmail.com if you need assistance during this time.
Information from KSDE TOPEKA — The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security directive issued Tuesday, Jan. 21, to rescind previously issued guidelines for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement actions that limit law enforcement in or near “sensitive” areas, which include schools and churches. The Kansas State Department of Education is aware of concerns raised because of the recent announcement that certain policies of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have changed. Specifically, the federal government revoked the directive issued in 2021 that limited conducting immigration enforcement actions in or near protected areas such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship, except in specific limited circumstances. Tuesday’s action did not change the law, nor did it increase the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s authority. To that end, we remind school personnel that their ultimate responsibility is the education and protection of all students. All students have a constitutionally protected right to receive an education. Schools are advised to continue to follow the law and abide by their board-approved policies regarding investigations and/or arrests on school grounds. KSDE wishes to assure school personnel, parents, and the students of Kansas that we will not share any student data without a warrant, subpoena, or other lawfully issued court order. At this time, we believe the best thing schools can provide to their respective communities is an assurance that they will continue to comply with all state and federal laws protecting student information and student safety. We also suggest schools update emergency contact information for all families. KSDE recommendations:
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Legislative Corner
The 2025 Kansas legislative session is under way! There are number of issues that are already being introduced that impact the role of the school psychologist and access to mental health services for students in Kansas:
HB2007 is an appropriations bill that would codify the Mental Health Intervention Teams that allow districts to partner with community-based mental health providers to increase access to care for students. This program is currently funded through a proviso. This bill would make it an actual budget item.
HB2069 was introduced and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services. This bill would enter Kansas into the Interstate Compact. This would allow interstate practice privileges for school psychologists in any other state that has joined the compact.
HB2034 would authorize school districts to hire Chaplains to provide counseling services within the public schools.
Of course there is broad talk of tax cuts for Kansans that would likely impact funding for public education.
KASP will continue monitoring these bills as needed and is ready to provide testimony when these bills are heard in committee.
KASP was honored to partner with school counselors, school nurses, and school social workers to host School Mental Health Advocacy Day. We were honored to be joined by Governor Laura Kelly this year. She discussed the investment her administration has made to fund public schools and increase student health services and supports for students.
We also heard about state data on the reduced number of student suicides in Kansas over the past 3-4 years. The work you do each day is literally saving lives and providing hope for Kansas kids.
If you are interested in advocacy work and enjoy keeping up with the goings on in Topeka, KASP is looking to start an advocacy committee to help with this work. Please reach out to kaspempowers@gmail.com if this sounds interesting to you.
Register today for KASP Spring Conference! We highly encourage administrators to attend, so we are still offering our BOGO Special . . . Buy one KASP member registration, get your administrator's registration completely FREE! We can't wait to see you on April 11th! Register now at KASP.org |
Update from the Student Representative |
Hello KASP Students. My name is Ashton and I am excited to serve as the new student representative on the KASP board. I look forward to sharing information and learning how KASP can support you as you move forward in your education and in the early stages of your career.
I had the honor of attending the 9th annual School Mental Health Advocacy Day at the Capitol on January 23rd. This event is geared towards school psychologists, school social workers, school counselors, and school nurses. It provides important updates about the state of mental health in schools and our role as mental health providers. It was an important reminder of how our work will be situated in the context of collaboration, with the goal of community impact. School psychologists are uniquely positioned to provide a wide range of services and effect system-level change. We want to make sure you feel prepared and supported in this important endeavor. I encourage you to get involved and make connections with other students, school psychologists, and school practitioners now– Let me know how we can help!
-Ashton Pfannenstiel, FHSU Student
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Kansas Association of School Psychologists (KASP) is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer continuing education for school psychologists. KASP maintains responsibility for the program.
KASP is a NASP approved provider of CPDs. KASP is approved provider #1030
No person will be denied access to or full participation in any KASP program, event or activity on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, disability, or age.