Address Shortages of School Psychologists. The recommended ratio of students to school psychologists is 500:1. In Arizona, the current ratio is 969:1 (24-25). Policymakers should increase efforts to recruit and retain school psychologists, expand university-district partnerships, and increase graduate education opportunities. The shortage of school psychologists limits their availability to engage in valuable work for the benefit of all students. Shortages result in unmanageable caseloads, a narrow role limited only to special education evaluation and compliance efforts, and an inability to provide preventive services and effective consultation with teachers. 

Advance the Comprehensive Role of School Psychologists. School psychologists are specially trained to support students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach. They provide behavioral and academic supports, referrals, suicide risk assessments, and threat assessments. School psychologists are also skilled in data collection and analysis and can design and implement evidence-based interventions. School psychologists provide critical consultation, professional development, and other support to families, teachers, and administrators to help them best meet students’ needs. School psychologists help support efforts to improve teacher wellness, prevent stress, and reduce attrition. 

Support Effective School Safety Measures. Successful school safety requires an approach that balances physical and psychological safety. Efforts to prevent violence must align with efforts to improve school climate, overall safety, and learning. School safety initiatives should include positive school climates that facilitate trusting relationships among students and staff, trained multidisciplinary school safety and crisis teams, positive discipline practices, access to services from school-based mental health professionals, and strong school/community partnerships. In addition, we support policies that ensure that highly trained professionals, such as school resource officers, are the only armed persons at schools. 

Improve Student Wellness. One-third of Arizona students experience two or more adverse childhood experiences, and one in every five Arizona students is bullied. In 2017, an estimated 10,000 Arizona teens attempted suicide and nearly half of all child and teen deaths by gun are suicides. Comprehensive mental health services improve student well-being and learning. Policies should be adopted to provide adequate access to school-based mental health professionals; a continuum of services and interventions; professional development for school staff, parents, and community members; evidence-based threat and suicide risk assessment protocols and teams; and collaborative partnerships with community providers. 

Increase Investments in Education. A student’s zip code should not dictate the quality of their education. Investments that target funding and support for our most vulnerable students in high-poverty schools are critical. We support increased investments to support our most vulnerable students, increased investments for students with disabilities, increased investments in professional development programs, and increased investments in well-rounded curricula and access to comprehensive learning supports. 

For questions or more information regarding the Arizona Association of School Psychologists, please contact Ryan Rodriguez, President, AASP at (520) 780-0780; or Susie Cannata, Tier 1 Strategy at (602) 300-0358.

Advocacy is an important function of the Arizona Association of School Psychologists. To attain our key priorities, AASP engages in national, state, and local level initiatives and approaches. Through a continuum of “top down” and “grassroots” efforts, we strive to make a difference for Arizona children and their families. On this page, you can learn more about what we do and how you can help.

Key Advocacy Priorities

• Address shortages of school psychologists

• Support effective school safety measures

• Increase PK-12 students’ access to mental health services in schools

• Increase investment in education in Arizona

• Promote equity for all students

• Advance the Comprehensive Role of School Psychologists
  
  
  

What are the AASP committees that focus on advocacy?

Public Policy and Advocacy Committee (PPAC): Our AASP Public Policy Liaison, Susie Cannata and PPAC committee members regularly communicate with Arizona legislators, the Arizona Department of Education, the Governor’s office, and other policymakers. Susie Cannata is a lawyer with Peters, Cannata and Moody. She advocates for and supports organizations that focus on the well-being of children and individuals with disabilities.

·       Current PPAC chairs: Sheri Orrahood and Shannon Morse

·       ADE Liaisons: Jennifer Ostrom and Jamie Timmerman

Child and Family Advocacy (CFA): Our CFA committee meets monthly with involved AASP members to promote grassroots advocacy at the local level (e.g., school/district, school boards, communities, legislative districts). The committee engages in collaborative projects and organizes resources to assist AASP members.

·       Current committee chairs: Ovett Chapman and Sean McGlaughlin

NASP Delegate and Government & Professional Relations (GPR) Liaison: At the national level, our NASP Delegate and GPR Liaison represent and support our members in their leadership roles. They help us to be aware of policy issues impacting our profession and share our state and local stories with NASP leadership. Watch for their email and social media communications on ways to collaborate with the national association.

·       Arizona NASP Delegate: Claudia Weiss

·       Arizona GPR Liaison: Kristen Lilly

How can I get involved? 

• Contribute to funds designated to our advocacy work: Contribution Form.

• Contact a committee chair to find out how you can get involved.

• Share a story with us about how you successfully advocated an issue at the student, school, or district level.

• Write to your legislator on important issues that impact our profession and the children we serve.