School Counselor Connection

A HUGE thank you to those that participated and presented at the ACTEAZ Summer Conference. Another successful year of school counselor track sessions! I enjoyed getting to see so many familiar faces. I hope you left feeling energized to begin another school year!

Welcome back to a new school year! Check out some great resources from The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) to help you prepare for a new school year. Check out their Back-to-School Resources to learn about School Counselor Program Basics, Closing the Gaps, Supporting Student Wellness, and ways to engage with ASCA. For additional support, connect with our state School Counselor Association, AzSCA. Are you a new school counselor or maybe you work with a new school counselor? Check out our new school counselor resources to help get connected to our statewide supports.

School Counselor Connection is brought to you by: Andrea Glenn, Director of Post-Secondary & Community Engagement and Emily Brown, School Counselor Director at the Arizona Department of Education.

The Arizona Department of Education, in collaboration with the Arizona Board of Regents and Education Forward Arizona, is thrilled to introduce the launch of our College and Career Readiness Roadshow. We are offering tailored professional development sessions lasting from 1 to 3 hours for your school counselors, educators, and administrators. The sessions will cover topics such as data, Education and Career Action Plans (ECAP), College and Career Readiness (CCR) resources both local and statewide, best practices for ECAP and CCR, and postsecondary matriculation support. Reach out to Andrea.glenn@azed.gov to book your session now!

ADE will be providing additional support to lead counselors by hosting quarterly meetings in which lead counselors can connect with others across the state in similar roles. We will have discussion topics set for each meeting, as well as time for networking and connection. The district/lead counselor may be someone who oversees the school counselors and student services staff, or is the point of contact for district college and career readiness initiatives. If you are a district/lead counselor and are not receiving communications regarding these meetings, please email Emily.Brown@azed.gov or Andrea.Glenn@azed.gov to be added to our list.

Please mark your calendars for our upcoming meetings which will be held on Zoom from 8:00 am - 9:00 am on the following Wednesdays:

2024-2025 Quarter 1: August 28

2024-2025 Quarter 2: November 20

2024-2025 Quarter 3: February 26

2024-2025 Quarter 4: April 30

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://azed-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErcuCoqzIvHNXx0ErqNbitqEiUVzXKjLdA

2024-2025 Education and Career Action Plans are due by April 30, 2025. Plans can be submitted at any time before the due date. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the Educational Monitoring Assistance and Compliance (EMAC) platform prior to the deadline as submitting plans is a multi-step process. To get to EMAC visit ADE Connect and click on EMAC under applications. For instructions on accessing EMAC follow along with the EMAC Administrator Guide. Review the EMAC Guidance Document for step-by-step directions on assigning and uploading the tasks.

Check out the ECAP resources on the ADE ECAP website for more assistance.

Sign up today to show your interest in attending the School Counselor Construction Career Day at Sundt Construction, 2630 S 20th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85034. This informational session will provide you with a tour of Sundt's facilities and an overview of career pathways and opportunities to share with your students and parents/guardians. You will get to participate in activities including: pipefitting, welding, concrete, and heavy equipment. This event will take place on September 30, 2024 from 9:00 am-1:00pm. It is advised to dress in layers with full length pants and closed toe shoes.

Complete the Sign Up Form today! More information will be given closer to the date via email.

The Arizona Department of Education's School Safety and Social Wellness Unit is excited to announce the launch of our new listserv dedicated to school-based mental health professionals (school psychologists, school counselors, school social workers, and school nurses). This platform is designed to foster communication, collaboration, and resource sharing among professionals committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of students.

By joining this listserv, you will:

1. Receive updates on the latest research, best practices, and information related to the field of school mental health.
2. Access a wealth of National and Arizona-specific resources and opportunities, including training opportunities, webinars, and conferences
3. Connect with fellow mental health professionals to share experiences, strategies, and support.

Please join the listserv by clicking here. In addition, please share this information with those who will find this beneficial.

We look forward to building a strong, safe, and supportive community of school-based mental health professionals with you!

Project A.W.A.R.E. is offering a variety of resources s as we begin a new school year.

SafeTALK: The safeTALK Suicide Prevention Training is a 4 hour in person training for

school staff, community providers, and the community large to learn how to be

suicide alert helpers.

Suicide Prevention Train-the-Trainer: The Suicide Prevention Train-the-Trainer opportunities include evidence based

workshop options to develop future suicide prevention and early intervention trainers

throughout AZ.

PREPaRE: PREPaRE educates multidisciplinary teams of school professionals on how to

comprehensively plan for both the physical and psychological needs of

students and staff members in the aftermath of a crisis impacting the school

community.

School Mental Health Champion: The School Mental Health Champion Application is a space for those in the

field to apply for schools and districts that are going above and beyond to

support comprehensive school mental health systems.

Scan the QR codes on the flyer for more information

ADE/ESS is excited to announce the opening of registration for Arizona’s 2024 IDEA Conference: Expect, Engage, Achieve. This year’s conference will be held from September 4–6, 2024, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix. Please visit the IDEA Conference website to learn about our keynote speakers: Valerie Williams, Perry Zirkel, Pamela Schuller, and Dr. Erik Carter. Additional national speakers and exciting conference events will be shared soon.

The conference registration fee for professionals is $575 per person and can be paid by credit card, check, or purchase order. ADE/ESS is aware that PEAs may have approaching procurement deadlines related to issuing purchase orders, so please do not delay in registering for the conference. Registration is anticipated to fill quickly.

Register for the 2024 IDEA Conference in the Arizona Professional Learning and Development System (APLD). Interested participants must have an ADE Connect account to complete the registration. See the APLD Learner Guide for detailed steps to complete registration.

Please visit the IDEA Conference Registration web page to learn more about registering, including making a Save My Seat request, Lodging, and Frequently Asked Questions.

ESS appreciates this opportunity to learn with each of you and looks forward to this year’s conference. Stay informed by visiting the IDEA Conference website for updates, including announcements about keynote speakers. Questions can be emailed to the IDEA Conference inbox

The CAP Training schedule for the upcoming school year is now available for individuals to register. All courses are eligible for graduate credit for salary advancement (district determined) OR to resolve the 6-credit certificate renewal requirements for Option B or C.

FIRST COME — FIRST SERVED: CAP Training scholarships are available courtesy of recent grant funding for any (or all) of the three Fall 2024 Financial Aid courses. Professionals who complete the three Financial Aid courses will receive an Arizona Financial Aid Specialist certificate through AzCAN.

We have officially expended more than half of the dedicated grant funds, so be sure to register ASAP!

The first two courses of the 2024-2025 school year kick off on Monday, August 5th so register ASAP if you are interested in participating in one or both:

• Financial Aid I: Introduction to Financial Aid

• Creating Postsecondary Opportunities for All Students

The AzCan and Ask Benji team are excited to invite you all to our Fall 2024 Lunch & Learn virtual events. We will host an event once a month with special topics & speakers.

Topics below with the registration Zoom links (to save your spot)!

Wednesday, August 14: Postsecondary Planning Resources and Updates

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMuc-mrrDwqE9S9M-jaF9kUULdLoiVMNDeB#/registration

Wednesday, September 25: FAFSA Completion Secrets Unlocked

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckde2sqD4uHdNLuOdTZv6G_wNVebbU9by2#/registration

Wednesday, October 23: Addressing Basic Needs

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItf-GtqDspGdQ377aifWtqamDCcBUMoO6Z#/registration

Wednesday, November 20: Innovation in Postsecondary Advising with Limited

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtd-GtrjMqGdZzd_orb0j56hCVfOTi_Pqs

• Advancing Equity Conference for School Counselors - December 11, 2024
• Closing the Gap: An Action Research Cohort - September 2024 through April 2025 (five 1-hour webinars!)
• Use of Data in School Counseling Institute: Overview & Foundations - 3 dates to choose from!
• New School Counselor Institute - October 3, 2024
• Use of Data in School Counseling 7-Part Series - September 2024 through May 2025 (register for individual workshops or the entire series!)

Check out our virtual events webpage for the full 2024-2025 calendar and event details!

We offer two options for removing the 6 semester hour deficiency from your certificate.

• Hatching Results: Hatching Results partners with California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) to offer courses for school counselors for continued education. These courses allow Arizona School Counselors to complete the 6 semester (credit) hour deficiency to renew their certificates in the three-year window who apply for certification under options B, C, and D.

• AZCAN College Access Professionals Training Courses: AZCAN partners with Lindenwood University to provide CAP Training Courses. Arizona School Counselors can complete the 6 semester (credit) hour deficiency to renew their certificates in the three-year window who apply for certification under options B and C. If using the CAP courses to remove deficiencies, there will be an option to pay Lindenwood University $75 for each course to receive one graduate semester (credit) hour starting January 2024.

Option B: Completion of a graduate program in counseling, social work, or psychology; or Option C: A valid license as an associate counselor, professional counselor, master or clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist issued by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

Options B and C require completion of six semester hours of courses in any of the following areas: school counseling, college and career guidance, or academic advising. These courses would fall under the categories of college and career guidance or academic advising.

The courses would not be accepted for the Standard School Counselor certificate under the

Option D: Completion of a graduate program in academic advising. This option requires six semester hours of courses in any of the following areas: social and emotional development, mental health counseling, trauma and disaster counseling, multiculturalism in counseling, theories of counseling, the foundation of school counseling, or child and adolescent counseling.

For additional certificate questions check out the ADE Certification Unit website.

The University of Arizona, Southwest Institute for Research on Women, is offering FREE presentations for students, educators, and counselors promoting the increase in gender nontraditional enrollment in Career and Technical Education. Topics for the presentations include:

• Gender, CTE, and Nontraditional Career Success (students and parents)
• Stopping Sexual Harassment (students, educators, & counselors)
  
• Digital Citizenship & Cyberbullying (students, parents, educators, & counselors)
  
• Recruitment & Retention of Nontraditional Students (educators & counselors)
  

Please view the flyer below for more information.

We are thrilled to invite you to the 2024 FAFSA and College Readiness Symposium on Friday, September 13! This event, formally known as the AZ FAFSA Kick-off, is specifically tailored for high school counselors, college and career specialists, and college access professionals.

This symposium is an excellent opportunity to equip yourself with the latest knowledge and resources to support Arizona seniors and families as they prepare for their education beyond high school.

EVENT DETAILS

DATE: Friday, September 13, 2024

Time: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM (Check-in begins at 8:00 AM)

LOCATION: ASU Tempe Campus, Memorial Union

Get registered today!

Do your students doubt their abilities when they experience challenges? Do they understand how to put forth effort and to make progress toward their goals? Self-efficacy instruction can increase students’ belief in themselves and can develop their ability to persist through learning challenges.

The Arizona Department of Education/Exceptional Student Services, in collaboration with the University of Kansas Research Collaboration, is offering the College and Career Competencies Project, a free, one-year professional development series that includes:

• Free access to self-efficacy curricula at the primary, intermediate, and secondary levels with 25+ evidence-based instructional activities that teach 10 self-efficacy strategies.

• Virtual training across the school year to all staff, based on your PD calendar.
• Assessments to show student growth.
• Coaching support throughout the implementation process.

The College and Career Competencies Project is accepting 3 more schools (elementary, middle, or high) for the 2024–2025 school year!

To participate, have an administrator from your district complete the CCCs Project Interest Form, and schedule a 30-minute conference call about the project.

View our self-efficacy infographic, which includes the definition of self-efficacy and student impacts resulting from instruction.

For any questions, email Pattie Noonan.

Join us for the 2024 ACT College and Career Readiness Workshops—our annual, free professional development events for K-12 educators. Connect in person with ACT subject matter experts and peers to discuss what’s working in K-12 education.

Let’s Meet Up!

In-person workshops start in August 2024 and are your opportunity to network and learn from each other and our ACT experts. We will also dive deeper into some topics we cover in-person and offer them online in the fall. Save your seat to join us and fully understand how ACT can support you and your students in the 2024-2025 school year.

AZ workshops include:

• 8/13/2024 - Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University-Skysong - Registration Time 8:30 AM / Start Time 9:00 AM
• 8/14/2024 - Flagstaff, AZ, Coconino Community College - Lone Tree - Registration Time 8:30 AM / Start Time 9:00 AM
• 8/15/2024 - Tucson, AZ, University of Arizona - Registration Time 8:30 AM / Start Time 9:00 AM

Register on the ACT website today to save your seat!

Counselor Workshops

Before you head out for the summer, don’t forget to register for the 2024 Counselor Workshops. We’ll make sure you start the school year off right with all the latest on College Board programs and resources. Learn more and register today.

New Counselor Modules

New to school counseling? Use a little bit of your summer to continue to build your professional foundation, and come back in the fall prepared with new and enhanced skills. Register for our free modules for new school counselors.

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming FREE webinar, Proactive Strategies For Creating a Welcoming and Inclusive School for All Students, presented by Derek Francis.

Date & Time: September 20, 2024 at 9:00 am PT

Webinar Overview: This session is designed for school counselors, district leaders, building administrators, and school leaders who are dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and welcoming school climate. In today’s educational landscape, it is essential that schools provide a space where every student feels welcomed and affirmed, recognizing and celebrating both similarities and differences.

For more information and to register visit this website.

ADE/ESS Assistive Technology Team offers a short-term loan library to test out assistive technology devices, including fidgets and sensory tools. School personnel can loan the items for up to a month and parents can loan items for their students for up to two weeks. Please view the flyer below for contact information.

The National Center for Construction Education and Research created a FREE career exploration tool for careers in the construction field. Students are able to start their construction career exploration journey by taking the career interest assessment which will match them to careers within the construction field. They can explore careers, see training and employment opportunities, and get connected to a mentor. Check out the CareerStarter website today!

The Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe is an evidence-based program that provides children with the skills to identify, prevent, and interrupt all forms of child abuse: physical, emotion, as well as neglect, bullying, cyber-bullying, and internet safety.

Thanks to a grant from the state, we are able to provide the curriculum for free—all the staff has to do is watch a module and then the scripted lesson plans, power point, and ‘swag’ box are provided.

The bonus: teachers and staff can earn the much needed Professional Development hours!

I’ve attached some information for you to look at—if you think this would be a fit for your school, we can set up a Teams meeting and I can answer any further questions you have! Please also check out these links for more detailed info:

http://joom.ag/gGKp

2023 CH SUBS Impact Report

www.childhelp.org/speakupbesafe

A huge shout-out to our amazing professional organizations in the collaboration of this one-page document outlining the roles of mental health providers within schools. The document was a collaborative effort of the Arizona School Counselors Association, the Arizona Association of School Psychologists, the School Nurses Organization of Arizona, the School Social Work Association of Arizona, and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. We hope you find this document useful in trainings and meetings with various stakeholders.

Join College Depot at their Educational Resource Expo on Thursday, August 8 from 4:30pm-6:30pm. For more information and to register, please click on the flyer below.

The Be a Leader Foundation Annual Taking Steps Toward College Success Summit will be held on September 13 at the Phoenix Convention Center from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. This event includes: sessions, a resource fair, scholarship raffle, dorm room makeover raffle, and a t-shirt and bag will be given out to all participants. For up to date event information and to register your school to participate, please visit bealeader.org/takingsteps

We are excited to announce that the sign-up form for the Arizona College- Going Events is now open!

Arizona College-Going Events are initiatives of the Arizona Board of Regents and play a crucial role in helping students navigate the college application process, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and celebrating their plans after high school by ensuring they have the support and resources needed to pursue higher education. Your involvement makes a significant impact on students' futures by fostering a college-going culture within your school.

Why Sign Up?

• Support Your Students: Provide essential guidance and support to students during the college application process and FAFSA completion process.
• Free Swag: By signing up, you will receive free swag to enhance your college-going events and motivate students.
• Community Impact: Join a statewide effort to increase college access and success for all Arizona students.

Sign Up Here:

Arizona College- Going Event Sign Up Form

We look forward to your partnership in making college dreams a reality for students across Arizona. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to student success!

Arizona College Application Campaign

The Arizona College Application Campaign is a state initiative aimed at increasing the number of students who pursue postsecondary education. By hosting AzCAC events, schools provide essential support to seniors as they navigate the college application process, ensuring that every student can apply to at least one college. To maximize the impact of these events, educators are encouraged to check out the updated toolkit available at https://collegereadyaz.com/arizona-college-application-campaign/, which offers valuable resources for planning and executing successful campaigns.

Additionally, educators can kick off the college application season by participating in #WhyApplyDay 2024 taking place on Friday, September 20, 2024. The event is designed to inspire students to take significant steps toward their college goals. To celebrate college application season and support your students, we encourage you to use the attached WhyApplytoCollege sign to share your reason for applying! Don’t forget to post on social and use the hashtag #whyapply.

In alignment with the goals of the nation's CHIPS Act, NAU is committed to developing a future-ready workforce that fuels microelectronics innovation and bolsters domestic production capabilities. Through our unregistered and registered Arizona Apprenticeship Programs in Phoenix and Flagstaff, we offer exceptional training opportunities for individuals seeking careers in advanced manufacturing metrology, quality assurance and calibration roles, including:

• Calibration Technicians

• Quality Control Analysts

• Semiconductor Processing Technicians

Please click here and view the flyer below for more information.

FREE to all Arizona high school and home school students. Tuition, fees, books and instructional materials covered. Tribal colleges are fully accredited and meet the accreditation standards ensuring credits can be transferred to other post-secondary institutions. For more information, visit the Tribal College Dual Enrollment Program website.

• Save the Date: FAFSA Symposium, September 13 at ASU -Tempe

• Save the Date: NCAN Conference, September 16-18 at the Los Angeles Convention Center

• Save the Date: ACT State Conference, December 9-10 at ASU -Tempe

• FAFSA Resource Hub: Regularly updated resource hub for school counselors, educators, college access professionals
  

• 1:1 FAFSA Completion Workshop: Saturday June 15th, 10:00am-2:00pm at the Capital One Cafe

• Governor Hobbs' Announcement of Investing $500L for Summer FAFSA Initiatives

Make sure you are tracking your school's FAFSA completion progress on Arizona College Connect! If you haven't yet gained access, it's easy to set up!

· Step 1: Have your principal set up a Data Sharing Agreement

· Step 2: Set up Authorized Users

· Step 3: Access your FAFSA Data

If you no longer want to receive these emails, please email me at Emily.Brown@azed.gov

Do you have colleagues who didn’t receive this email? Please use this form to add/update their information in our database.

Email: Emily.Brown@azed.gov
Website: https://www.azed.gov/cte/counselors
Location: Arizona Department of Education
Phone: 602-542-5353

Email: Andrea.Glenn@azed.gov
Website: https://www.azed.gov/ccr
Location: Arizona Department of Education
Phone: 602-364-4799