Counselor Connection--May 1

Chelsea Sims from TLCA in Abilene was nominated by a colleague for the 2023-24 ESC Counselor of the Year. In the nomination, Chelsea was described as very involved with her students and working hard to make sure their emotional and school needs are met. She helps the district by assisting all the campuses in TLCA and works very hard. She assists in advocating for all counselors and helps counselors as needed, getting to know what to do as a counselor, and will even step in and help with different things that need to be done for each of the other counselors in our district.

She mentors the counselors in her district and coaches when needed. She will do Zoom calls to assist in any way and is willing to help with anything they need. She is in touch with the District Director over counseling and helped to set up our procedures for emergencies for the district. She strives to meet the needs of students and counselors alike. Chelsea contributes to professional development by attending and bringing information back for counselors. She helps implement new changes and is always willing to learn something new. Her nominator commented, "She advocates for our counselors and the job we do by getting input and utilizing it to make changes to help us."

Congratulations Chelsea!

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is working closely with the Department of Education (DoE) to add FAFSA filing status data to the ApplyTexas Counselor Suite. At present, the THECB does not have access to this data.

In the interim, please visit the DoE’s FAFSA Completion by High School and Public School District page and search the FAFSA data by State/Territory to view aggregate FAFSA submission and completion data by high school.

Upon integration of FASFA data, the Counselor Suite will provide filing status information for students completing the FAFSA or TASFA under a new section labeled Financial Aid Application.

Financial Aid Information Provided in the Counselor Suite

• Completed: A yes flag appears when an SAI index is calculated for a student.
• Completed Date: Date a transaction record for a student is received by the DoE.
• Processed Date: Date a transaction record is processed, usually within 1-3 days of the completion date.
• Selected for Verification: A yes flag appears if an applicant is selected by the DoE for FAFSA verification.

Additional FAFSA information:

https://tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/fafsa-completions-update-2024.pdf

https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/financial-aid-graduation-requirement-and-free-application-for-federal-student-aid-fafsa-updates

Attend on Wednesday from 9-12 with the McKinney-Vento Team and your travel for up to three nights, as well as mileage from your campus will be reimbursed. See flyer above for more details. Register Online.

Low-burden, high-impact strategies to increase well-being, belonging, and engagement in all areas of campus community by introducing a consistent structure for learning that promotes powerful relationship-building while also helping students find value in their learning. Training will include staff community building, research-backed classroom engagement, usable tools and strategies, meaningful and inspirational content, and practical problem solving. Register Online (this is for both days).

School counselors must negotiate the competing interests of the overregulated school environment, student’s need for confidentiality, and the legal rights of parents to be the guiding voice in their children's lives. Updates on these competing interests will be discussed through recent court developments. Legal rulings will be highlighted in areas such as sexually active students, bullying, academic advising, child abuse, educational records, and sexual harassment, First Amendment rights, and transgender youth. The goal is to facilitate participants’ legal literacy and provide guiding principles to support best ethical practice.

Call the Fredericksburg Inn and Suites at 830-997-0202 and ask for the rate for the ESC REGION 15 COUNSELOR RETREAT. It should be for $107 per night.

This isn't just about showing off your best green outfit (though we love that part!). It's a powerful movement to promote mental health awareness. By participating, you're helping us advance well-being through public education, research, advocacy, and direct service.

Why green? Green is more than just a color — it's the international symbol for mental health awareness. Representing fresh starts, optimism, and energy, green makes a bright and bold statement: "I care about mental health!"

💚 Ready to make an impact? Here’s how:

· Sign up: Haven’t joined yet? It’s easy and free to sign up! You can join as an individual or rally your friends to form a team.

· Set your goals: Whether you’re running a 5K, hosting a green bake sale, or dressing in green from top to bottom, pick your activity for May and set your fundraising goals. Every dollar makes a difference!

· Spread the word: Share your plans with friends and family. It can take someone seeing something 8-20 times before taking action. So the more you share, the greater the impact!

MHA’s Spanish Mental Health Month toolkit is here!

Mental Health America is excited to announce that our 2024 Mental Health Month toolkit is now available in Spanish !

By downloading the free toolkit , you will be able to access information, self-help tools, social media assets, and more to support yourself and the people you care about on the journey toward mental wellness.

You can also find other resources in Spanish on our website to learn more about how to support your mental health.

TEA has published an Early CCMR OB Counts by District 2022 Graduates file on the Performance Reporting Resources webpage and the CCMR OB Early Counts Student Listing within the TEA Login (TEAL) application.

Once data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is received and processed, a Final CCMR OB Counts by District 2022 Graduates file will be published within a few months and will be incorporated into the Summary of Finances (SOF) reports to settle up fiscal year 2023–2024 CCMR OB funding. The CCMR OB Student Listings file will be released to districts in TEA Login (TEAL) after final CCMR OB counts are available. In addition, TEA will be adding a CCMR OB report to the Texas Performance Reporting System (TPRS).

The Final 2024 Accelerated Testers Student Listing and explanatory materials are now available in the TEA Login (TEAL) application. Please note that the data in these reports are confidential.

Accelerated testers are defined as students who earn Approaches Grade Level or above standard on the Algebra I, English II, and/or Biology STAAR EOC prior to grade 9. For 2024 accountability, accelerated testers are also students who earned course credit for Algebra I, English II, and/or Biology in Spring or Summer 2020, and were granted a COVID testing waiver prior to grade 9. To fulfill federal testing requirements, these students must take a corresponding subject area SAT or ACT while in high school.

The students included in the final listing will be evaluated as accelerated testers for 2024 accountability reports. Chapter 2 of the 2024 Accountability Manual provides information on accelerated testers.

A TSA notification was delivered on April 5, 2024, to inform districts of the Final Accelerated Testers Listing and supporting documents are now available in TEAL.

Additional information on the inclusion of SAT/ ACT results methodology for accelerated testers is available on the Performance Reporting Resources page.

The CCMR Tracker is a tracking tool within the TEA Login (TEAL) application. This tool provides districts with a means to track CCMR indicator completion throughout high school for students reported as enrolled in grades 9–12 on the TSDS PEIMS October 2023 Snapshot. The CCMR Tracker will be released in two stages. Please note that thedata in these reports are confidential.

Part I was released on March 29, 2024, and will utilize the following data:

• CCMR indicators submitted via PEIMS through SY 2022-23
• OnRamps and TSIA results through SY 2022-23
• SAT, ACT, AP, IB, and level I/II certificate results through SY 2021-22

Part II will be released in Summer 2024, and will utilize the following data:

• SAT, ACT, AP, IB, and level I/II certificates updated through SY 2022-23

A TSA notification was delivered on March 29th, 2024, to inform districts that the CCMR Tracker and updated supporting documents are now available within TEAL.

Please note that corrections to the information presented in the CCMR Tracker cannot be submitted to TEA; this tool is for informational purposes only. If districts find errors, they are encouraged to work with testing vendors to make corrections.

The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is looking for young people that are passionate about educating their peers on the importance of living a healthy, drug-free life, increasing awareness about teen mental health concerns, and helping create positive school climates where friends and peers feel happy and safe. The TxSSC Safe School Ambassadors Youth Advisory Board will host awareness and prevention projects throughout the FY25 school year and work closely with Center staff to develop future trainings and events for youth to engage in school safety initiatives. Applications for the 2024-2025 Safe School Teen Ambassadors Youth Advisory Board are now open and due by May 31.

The American Lung Association published a variety of teen tobacco and education resources that offer tools to not only talk to kids about the dangers of tobacco but to help them quit if they have already become addicted. These resources provide valuable information and facts, as well as programs and training for facilitators interested in delivering educational programs in local schools. Please share this information with parents, teachers, and school administrators to help spread awareness and promote healthy habits among teenagers.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation created 5-Week Guides to help educators foster positive relationships and build a caring, supportive school community. These guides provide educators with resources used to co-create a caring, supportive in-person and/or virtual school environment. Access the guides to learn how schools can support staff, students, and families to build a caring school community.

Childhood anxiety disorders impact one in eight kids, making this a condition many families grapple with. But despite how common they are, anxiety disorders in kids aren't discussed a lot, leaving plenty of parents feeling unprepared and even helpless when it comes to raising an anxious child. Read more.

From Counselor Chelsey: While it's super important to talk to kids directly about mental health and teach about it in your lessons, it can also be helpful to share resources and information with the staff and families at your school.

These freebies are great for promoting mental wellness across your whole school community! Send them home with families, or use them directly with students. ⬇️

#1: Mental Health Awareness Handout

#2: Self-Care Tracker

#3: Worry/Anxiety Handouts

#4: Gratitude Mindfulness Scripts

#5: Anxiety Posters

Summary: The new section would implement Senate Bill 629, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, and adopt by reference the rules of the executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Publication in the Texas Register: April 19, 2024

Public Comment Period: April 19, 2024-May 20, 2024. A form for submitting public comments is available on the proposed commissioner of education rules web page.
Proposed Effective Date: July 30, 2024

Please see the TEA website to view proposed commissioner of education rules.

Though some colleges and universities are not requiring SAT or ACT anymore, these tests can help a student have an advantage in the college entrance process. The College Board (SAT) and KhanAcademy have a combined study plan that ensures that students are receiving study materials that fit their needs based upon their PSAT and previous SAT scores. Click HERE to get started!

The window for uploading the DD Form 4 for military enlistment closes on May 10th.

On April 5, 2024, districts received a To The Superintendent Addressed (TSA) notification to explain the opening of the DD Form 4 collection window, available within the TEA Login (TEAL) application. The submission window for 2023 annual graduates will occur from April 5th to May 10th, 2024. Explanatory documents and a how-to video for submitting this information are also available on the Performance Reporting Resources webpage.

A “check status” button is now available in the portal for LEAs to view the status of their uploads. Additionally, LEAs will be able to review data and correct errors during the Summer 2024 CCMR Verifier window.

Districts are strongly encouraged to establish a process for collecting and securely storing the DD Form 4 for each applicable student.

The JET program provides grants to buy and install equipment for career and technical education (CTE) courses that lead to a license, certificate, or postsecondary degree in a high-demand occupation.

The fiscal year 2024 (FY24) JET grant application is open for submissions. Eligible educational institutions can apply for JET funding through a competitive grant process. The complete FY24 RFA packet, which includes eligibility, requirements and submission documents can be downloaded from the TWC Procurement Portal website. Visit the JET webpage to learn more about the grant.

The CLNA opened on February 23, 2024, and will close on June 12, 2024. The CLNA must be submitted before a local education agency (LEA) can access the Perkins grant local application, which will be open from June 12 - September 3, 2024. To complete the CLNA, log in to the Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL) application, access the eGrants system, and click on the Special Collections tab. Authorized users will see the 2024-2025 SC5600 Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment link under the Special Collections Description heading.

A CLNA Guidebook (2024-25) is available on TEA’s CTE website to support CLNA completion and submission.

Through a partnership between the Texas Education Agency and Learning Undefeated, the Texas Mobile STEM Lab will provide STEM engagement opportunities for students during the 2024–2025 school year. Using a custom-outfitted STEM learning space, the mobile lab offers engaging, hands-on educational experiences for kindergarten through grade 8 students and teachers. The application window is April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. All Texas public schools that offer classes for kindergarten through grade 8 are eligible to register for a free visit during the 2023–2024 school year. At least one school district from each educational region will receive a visit. Click the video for more information.

Question: Which certifications from the 2022-2025 Industry-Based Certification List for Public School Accountability should be reported in PEIMS (POST-SECONDARY-CERTIFICATION-LICENSURE- CODE (E1640)) and what are the differences between IBCs earned, passed, and failed?

Answer: LEAs should report all IBCs from the 2022-2025 IBC List for Public School Accountability that were earned, passed, and failed by high school students between September 1 – May 31 in the PEIMS summer submission and all IBCs that were earned, passed, and failed between June 1 – August 31 in the PEIMS fall submission using the data element POST-SECONDARY-CERTIFICATION-LICENSURE-RESULT (E1733) in compliance with the Texas Education Data Standards. Definitions and examples as well as additional frequently asked questions can be found here.

As with all self-reported data submitted through PEIMS, LEAs should retain supporting documentation for a minimum of five years.

The Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators focuses on providing an overview of trauma, and its impact on student behaviors in the classroom. Attendees will learn about the role of mental health in daily functioning, how trauma impacts the brain, the importance of unrecognized executive function deficits, and the role neuro diverse complexities play in student behavior. Throughout the workshop, participants will be provided with concrete strategies that can be implemented in a school and/or classroom setting to support all learners through a trauma informed lens.

Specific strategies that will be discussed:

• How to identify changes in thoughts, feelings and behaviors
• Maintaining structure, routine, and consistency
• Using visual strategies to support routine and memory
• Adopting one Social Emotional Learning strategy or program
• Using calming and regulation strategies as a part of daily routines
• Practicing co-regulation
• Increasing movement during learning
• Breaking down tasks to support executive function deficits
• Using the concept of thinking errors and exposure ladders to address avoidant behaviors in students
• Utilizing Psychological first aid, 2x10, and If/Then plans with student

Please Note: This training is open to public ISDs, open-enrollment charter schools, junior colleges, school-based law enforcement, and state agencies that support Texas schools. Due to limited space, vendors and contractors are not permitted to register for this training.

The Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators-Elementary focuses on providing an overview of trauma, and its impact on student behaviors in the elementary (K-5) classroom.

You must attend entire training to be eligible to receive 5 hours Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Credit.

For more information about the Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators-Elementary, please email txssc_ticelem@txstate.edu.

The Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators-Secondary focuses on providing an overview of trauma, and its impact on student behaviors in the secondary (6-12) classroom.

You must attend entire training to be eligible to receive 5 hours Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Credit.

For more information about the Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators-Secondary, please email txssc_ticsec@txstate.edu.

If you are a school administrator, school-based law enforcement officer, educator, emergency manager, school safety specialist, first responder, mental health provider, or school board member, the 2024 Texas School Safety Conference is for you!

Join us June 23-27, 2024, at the beautiful San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter Hotel for a deep dive into current trends, best practices, and innovative, evidence-based approaches in school safety and security. Learn from leading experts in the fields of school behavioral threat assessment, emergency management, school-based law enforcement, and mental health, and hear from your peers throughout the state about strategies to effectively engage educators, law enforcement, and community members to promote positive cultures of safety and preparedness.

Come prepared to network, share ideas, and return to your community equipped with new knowledge, tools, and inspiration, to continue the essential work of creating safe and healthy environments in Texas schools and communities.

Conference Links

Learn More and Register

We've got some really great sessions this spring designed to support you this school year. You can simply click on any of the session links to register.

FACT: According to the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, employees engaged in professional development are also more likely to stay engaged in their work and to be enthusiastic about pursuing their goals.

General School Mental Health Resources: https://schoolmentalhealthtx.org/

Mental Health Resources Database: https://schoolmentalhealthtxdatabase.org/

Mental Health Best Practice Repository: https://schoolmentalhealthtx.org/best-practices/

This list is of known providers of particular services. The providers on the list are from a variety of sources. The list is being provided as a courtesy, for information only, and the user should understand that no assurances or guarantees regarding the providers on the list are being made by providing this list. We do not endorse, approve, or recommend any specific provider listed below. This list is not inclusive of all community agencies, services, or organizations that provide the particular service, and the omission of an agency, service, or organization from this list does not imply disapproval. It is the responsibility of the user of this list to determine whether any of the content is of value to them and whether or not the agency, service, or organization meets their specific needs.

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National

• Emergency: (24/7): 911
• Referral Services: (crisis counseling, housing, food, health care, family services): 211 | https://www.211texas.org/
• Suicide Prevention: 988 | 988lifeline.org
• Self-Injury/Cutting: 1-800-366-8288 | selfinjury.com
• Eating Disorders: 1-800-931-2237 | nationaleatingdisorders.org
• Runaway Hotline: 1-800-231-6946 | 1800runaway.org
• Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 | childhelp.org/hotline/
• Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 | rainn.org
• Domestic/Relationship Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 | thehotline.org
• Trevor Hotline for LGBTQ Youth: 1-866-488-7386 | thetrevorproject.org
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline | samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
• Other resources for developing healthy lifestyles, including mental and emotional help: helpguide.org

Email: mentalhealth@esc15.net
Website: https://www.esc15.net/
Phone: (325)658-6571
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Region15ESC/
Twitter: @Region15ESC