Counselor Connection--March 1

• Don't forget that AED training was added to the CPR requirement!
• FAFSA/TASFA (no cussing under your breath!)
• Proper interaction with a peace officer

Check out the TEA State Graduation Requirements page for more information.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board announces the launch of the 2024-2025 online Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). The application can be found by visiting the TASFA landing page, housed on the THECB's main website. For questions, contact Financial Aid Services at 888-311-8881 or CONTACT US.

Have students with a contributor (parent) without a Social Security number experienced FAFSA submission problems? If so, a solution is in the works!

• The Department of Education has committed to fix the FAFSA submission problems for students with a contributor (parent) without a Social Security number by the “first half of March”.

• The Workaround: Until then, students from mixed-status families can use a workaround to record a submission date to meet earlier deadlines for aid from institutions, scholarships, or state aid programs.
  • How does this workaround work?: The nine-step workaround process will result in a submitted incomplete FAFSA and will require the contributor(s) [parent(s)] without a SSN to return in the first half of March to correct and sign the online application.
• FSA ID Improvement for Non-SSN Contributors: The Education Department is improving the process for contributors without a Social Security number to create their FSA ID. If they can’t complete the TransUnion identity check, they’ll get an automated email with a case number and next steps. This should make it faster to submit required ID documents and reduce wait times for calls to the information center.

How should students and practitioners proceed with this workaround?

• The Department of Education (ED) and the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) both caution that the online workaround should only be used by those who have not already submitted a paper FAFSA.
• We encourage students and practitioners to reach out to individual colleges and university financial aid offices for guidance on this workaround in order to make an informed decision.

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.

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.

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.

Struggling to stay motivated and find balance? You’re not alone. Take a few moments for yourself – it’s time for some self-care!

It is important to remember to take care of your mental health. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health.

To help promote positive mental health and wellbeing here are 5 tips to consider from mental health experts:

1. Take care of yourself. Make sure to take regular breaks from technology, focus on eating healthy meals and getting enough sleep.
2. Spend time with loved ones who make you feel supported and understood.
3. Make an effort to talk about how you’re feeling with your partner or friends, rather than keeping things inside; this could help lift your mood by reducing stress levels.
4. Take time for yourself – consider investing in self-care activities like yoga or meditation that can help clear the mind and relax the body.
5. Finally, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or down, don’t be afraid to reach out for professional support; there are many mental health resources available which can provide confidential advice or therapy sessions to help address any issues that may arise during this time of year!

From LEGOS to llamas, grab some themed SEL check-in templates! Plus, learn how they benefit students’ social-emotional development.

On Monday, April 8, 2024, parts of Texas will experience four and a half minutes of total darkness during the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. More than one million people are estimated to visit Texas to view this rare, natural phenomenon. The TxSSC has created a situational awareness brief to help districts prepare for this event, ensure you are well informed, and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of remaining open that day.

Download the Brief

We want to hear what you, your school, district, junior college, or colleagues, are doing to create safe and healthy environments in your schools and communities! Nominations for the School Safety Spotlight program for the spring semester are due March 31. We recognize innovative programs in five categories:

• Collaborative Community Partnerships
• Staff Development and Training
• Positive Climate and Prevention Programs
• Student-Led Groups or Programs
• Outstanding Individual Service

Visit the School Safety Spotlight webpage to learn more about the program, view past recipients, and submit a nomination!

View Past Recipients

Submit a Nomination

Thank you to other ESC specialists, here are some resources to help you navigate the Texas First Diploma:

• Checklist
• Assessment List
• Diploma Graduation Checklist
• Canva Page

Statutory Update and School District Requirement

There have been updates made to the Texas First Diploma. School districts are now required, rather than permitted, to issue a high school diploma under the Texas First Early High School Completion Program if the student demonstrates mastery of and early readiness for college in accordance with Texas Higher Education Coordinating (THECB) board rules.

Additional Updates

• In addition to existing options and beginning February 10, 2024, high school students interested in early graduation through the Texas First Early High School Completion Program will be able to demonstrate mastery in languages other than English (LOTE) using the Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service (FLATS), an online test administered through Brigham Young University. Detailed information about the FLATS assessment, can be accessed on the FLATS Testing website.
• Effective September 1, 2023, the list of institutions that can award the Texas First Scholarship was expanded to include all Texas public institutions of higher education. Students who graduate with the Texas First Diploma may now use the Texas First Scholarship award at any Texas public college or university to which they have been admitted.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has resources to promote school connectedness. Schools play a critical role in encouraging student health and development by creating environments where all students feel that they are cared for, supported, and belong. When schools put in place strategies that create safe and supportive environments, including approaches focused on building school connectedness, youth are less likely to engage in risky sexual, violent, and substance use behaviors. Share this information with school staff today.

Alliance for a Healthier Generation and Kaiser Permanente Thriving Schools are hosting a monthly professional learning series dedicated to prioritizing staff well-being. Participants will share their experiences, practice strategies, and use implementation resources that can be used in their work settings. Topics covered will include relationship building, gratitude systems, operationalizing staff breaks, as well as a bonus session determined by participants. All school and district staff, regardless of position or title—including cafeteria workers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, teachers, and administrators—are encouraged to join this no-cost webinar series.

Feeling the heat of burnout? It's time to take a look at your workplace culture. If you often find yourself declining social invitations, overusing the phrase, "I'd love to, but I have to work," or generally feeling tired and unmotivated, you could be deeply entrenched in a culture of burnout. And if you're in the throes of burnout, your team members probably are, too.

There is emerging evidence that exercise is a treatment option for depression, according to a recent study. The study, published in "The BMJ," highlighted various exercises — such as walking, jogging, yoga, strength training, mixed aerobic exercises, tai chi and qigong — that reduced depressive symptom either independently or when combined with therapy and medications.

Affirmations are positive statements intended to promote self-belief and motivation. They have shown some effectiveness in improving self-esteem and resilience. Although some people may consider positive affirmations pseudoscience, the practice of using empowering self-talk for personal benefit has been researched in scientific studies, and researchers suggest there are benefits associated with this practice.

With the 80/20 requirement for school counselors in Texas, it can be difficult to navigate the requirements of SB 179. Region 12 designed a "Counselor Time Tracking Reporting & District Analysis Checklist" (based on the law) to help you with this process. Please click HERE to learn more about it and print/download for your own use. You may make aa copy of the Google doc for your own use.

The ESC Counselor Specialists also created a School Counselor Requirement & Resource Document that shows all the times that a school counselor is listed in statute (Texas Administrative Code and Texas Education Code). This was designed to help school counselors know and see when they are listed in statute. This was cross-referenced with what will be included in the upcoming 6th edition of the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs and includes everything except the federal statutes.

Families as Partners is a video series dedicated to empowering parents with the tools needed for effective communication and restorative practices at home. This series is designed to align home environments with the restorative approaches taught in schools, ensuring a consistent and supportive experience for children. It focuses on providing parents with resources and strategies to foster better understanding and relationships with their children, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between families and educational institutions. To learn more and view the series visit https://tea.texas.gov/rdp-families-as-partners .

Texas Education Code 39.003 (a)(15) authorizes a special investigation to be conducted when 10% or more of the students graduating in a particular school year from a particular high school campus are awarded a diploma based on the determination of an individual graduation committee.

If a campus is identified as not following IGC requirements and is graduating students who have not met graduation requirements, these data could also impact the state accountability system (TEC 39.003(a)(14)).

• It is important to ensure all IGC requirements are met. A few requirements that seem to be getting overlooked by LEAs include:
• Failure to maintain appropriate documentation to demonstrate compliance with all IGC requirements
• Not meeting all IGC requirements
• Incorrect or incomplete committee membership
• Unclear evaluation criteria
• Not conveying how projects/portfolios demonstrate subject area proficiency
• Lacking evidence of each committee member's decision

Check out the Updated Guidance document, FAQ document, and training opportunity provided by TEA to ensure districts are meeting IGC requirements!

• NOTE: the webinar is scheduled for March 7, 2024 @ 2:00 PM

Even as the proportion of Hispanic youth in U.S. schools steadily increases, too many are leaving high school before earning their diploma. Analysis of data from 681 fifth-grade Hispanic students in a southeastern U.S. school system revealed that those who had participated in a Student Success Skills (SSS) program improved not only their attendance but also their emotion regulation, a key factor in reducing test anxiety. According to the article published in the Journal of Counseling & Development, school counselors are uniquely positioned to plan and coordinate preventive programs and services, such as SSS, that support Hispanic students' needs. By providing high school students with the tools they need, the SSS program can promote academic success and reduce dropout.

Note: Full-text content from JCD is free to ACA members by logging into the ACA website, and is available on a pay-per-view basis to nonmembers.

The Purple Star Campus Designation recognizes Texas public schools and open-enrollment charter schools that show their support and commitment to meeting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families. This unique designation is awarded each fall.

Please join us for the Spring 2024 Purple Star Campus Designation interest meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 10am. During the webinar, we will discuss the following topics:

• Introduction to the Purple Star Campus designation program
• Program requirements and criteria
• Sample program exemplars
• Preparing for the application process
• Benefits of the Purple Star Campus designation and more!

The webinar is open to ALL Texas public school district and open-enrollment charter campuses across the state. Seating is limited, so you must register to attend this informative webinar.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, February 20th at 10am. Click the button below to register.

To subscribe to our listserv and receive important news and updates regarding programs throughout the Texas Education Agency, please visit https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXTEA/subscriber/new. Once there, subscribers can enter their email address and select from the list of programs. Be sure to click the box next to Military-Connected Students and Highly Mobile and At-Risk Programs.

According to statute, college prep courses are designed for students at the 12th grade level who have not succeeded on EOCs or are otherwise observed as not ready for entry-level college coursework.

In future accountability, only courses completed in the 12th grade will be eligible for CCMR credit through college prep. The graph below outlines this implementation. Additional information can be found here.

The Texas Education Agency’s Supportive Schools Division and our Project AWARE Texas partners will be hosting a series of monthly webinars to highlight resources and best practice strategies on timely and relevant safe and supportive schools topics. Topics will include school mental health, substance abuse prevention, school discipline, early mental health interventions, approaches to whole child student support, and building community partnerships to increase capacity.

You can join a webinar every 2nd Thursday of the month from 11:00 am CST to 12:30 pm CST from December until June. CPE credits will be made available to those who attend the full live session.

Register Below for the March 14th Webinar Session on

Tier 1 Approaches for Enhancing School Mental Health

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7yf6Ggn3R6CSaiBo20wfEg

Register Below for Upcoming Webinar Sessions:

Family & Caregiver Engagement- April 11th , 2024

Elevating Mental Health & Wellness- May 9th, 2024

Supporting the Mental Health of Special Populations- June 13th, 2024

• The Texas School Safety Center is collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security on School Safety Prevention and Management monthly lunch and learn sessions. Sessions will cover current topics related to how districts are addressing school safety, prevention, and management. Resources and strategies will be provided in these informative one-hour sessions with a Department of Homeland Security partner. Click Here to View Dates and Register Here
• 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. 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. Click Here to View Dates and Register
• 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. 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. Click Here to View Dates and Register

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.

Call for Presenters

The TxSSC is seeking dynamic and engaging breakout session proposals focusing on current school safety issues and best practices. Presentations should be relevant to a broad school safety audience including school administrators, educators, and school-based law enforcement. The deadline to submit an application to present is February 23, 2024.

Conference Links

Learn More and Register

Call for Presenters - Deadline 2/23/24

Call for Exhibitors

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