ISCA - Advocacy

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Advocacy

School Counselor Advocacy

ISCA maintains a vigorous program of government relations and advocacy for the school counseling profession in Iowa. The association believes that students benefit when counselors successfuly advocate on state and federal legislative issues related to students and school counseling.

Advocacy is a key component to being an effective school counselor. Not only is it critical for school counselors to serve as advocates for their students, it is also important that school counselors advocate for their own profession.

Check out these things you can do to get involved this legislative session.

Get Involved

If you are interested in becoming involved in Advocacy Committee, click here.

Legislative Updates

Download a guide to the Iowa Legislature - PDF

Contact Your Legislators today on important issues. To find out who your senators and representatives are please check out the Find Your Legislator page of the Iowa Legislature website.

If we do not define our role as school counselors, someone else will!

Multi-Tiered System of School Counselor Advocacy (MTSA) - Three Tier Approach

Level 1

Be physically visible
Introduce yourself and use School Counselor terminology and signage everywhere
Develop a program brochure
Implement ASCA Model and Iowa School Counseling Framework - Use data!
Print business cards
Celebrate National School Counselor Week
Use social media to communicate
Bulletin boards
Know how you are funded
Consistent communication and conversations with administrators and staff
Advisory committee
Join professional organizations
Join ISCA and ASCA and attend conferences
Display ISCA/ASCA membership certificate, clothing, mug, water bottle etc
Nominations for SCOY and ISCA grants

Level 2

Yearly goal setting aligned with district goals using data
Develop PLC (Professional Learning Committee)
Management agreement
Time Analysis
Develop and share calendar
Presentation on program results with staff, admin, school board, and PTA
Use School Counselor Evaluation Tool
Member of building leadership committees
Connections with community
Active in ISCA
Present at ISCA conference
Be informed about state legislative issues. Contact legislators and attend forums
Attend Visit the Hill Day

Level 3

School Counseling program is an integral part of the school and community
Consistently demonstrate how students are different because of the school counseling program
Apply for RAMP (Recognized ASCA Model Program)
Know what is going on at the Department of Education
Communicate with state legislators - invite them to your school and meetings
Knowledge of issues and communication at federal level