February  2017
Register Now for TCA Advocacy Days!    
TCA serves as your eyes and ears, but we will need YOUR voice in order to have a positive impact this session. Take a moment now to figure out who represents you, and put their numbers in your cell phone. Schedule time off and plan to attend at least one Advocacy Day, and participate in the other two virtually. 
 
Keep on the lookout and respond quickly when you receive an Action Alert from TCA. YOUR voice is essential to our success this session. 
TSCA President Matt Smith on ASCA     

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recently decided, after partnering with TSCA for 50 years, that because of the unique partnership between TSCA and TCA to support students in Texas, TSCA is not an ideal fit for them.

I can assure you that ASCA's choice will not impact TSCA or the services and support that TSCA provides for all professional school counselors and their students.

Texas is a unique state in many ways, often charting its own course to meet the diverse needs of those who live here. We tend to do things differently than the national way - often with better results.

When asked about being a part of TCA, TSCA members spoke of the benefits of the close partnerships between school counselors and the community counseling services represented by TCA's 12 divisions to better support the whole child. They spoke of the amazing impact on public policy when the 7000 members of TCA speak with one voice to support school counselors, LPCs, college counselors and more!

I am grateful for the unique way that Texas works to ensure that counseling is a strong and vibrant profession, connected in all settings for students and clients across our state. TSCA appreciates your support.

TSCA is celebrating our 50th Anniversary this year. We are more than 2500 members strong. TSCA is a healthy and vibrant association that delivers the resources that you need! 

To celebrate 50 Years Strong, we are offering a 50% discount on membership.  I hope you will join or renew today.
Find Your Voice: Advocacy Video     

Ready to share your great ideas on good public policy? 

TCA can help! Whether you want to weigh in on effective school counseling programs or access to mental health services, this video will help you find you voice and use it. 

Get tips from the staff in our Texas House and Senate offices, and learn how other TCA members have engaged in the process and impacted policy. 

Check out this NEW Advocacy Training video on TCA's YouTube Channel. 
Call for Programs Now Open
2017 Professional Growth Conference 
   
The call for programs is now open for TCA's 61st Annual Professional Growth Conference in Galveston, TX, November 15-18, 2017.

This premiere professional development event attracts more than 2,000 professional counselors and features a diverse selection of 150+ programs.

Persons in all areas of the counseling profession are invited to submit a proposal. Conference program lengths include 1.5-hour sessions, 3-hour sessions, poster displays, 6.5-hour Learning Institutes and post-conference programs.

Students presenting must have a college professor as a co-presenter.

All presenters must be members of TCA and register for the conference by July 1, 2017 unless they reside outside Texas or are not mental health professionals. Visit www.txca.org/CFP to submit your program proposals. 
Counselors for Computing
Helping Students Prepare for Computing Careers 

Computing careers are in great demand, and Texas schools are offering new courses that help all students prepare.

Learn more about CS4TX and local initiatives that have direct implications for counseling practice at:

Counselors for Computing@DFW
February 24, 2017, 9 am - 3 pm
State Farm at CityLink in Richardson, Texas

The $20 registration fee supports the Texas School Counselor Association (TSCA).

YOU will receive a $20 Amazon gift card upon completion of the day.

Lunch and professional development certificates are provided.
 
Space is limited.   Register NOW. 
TACES Mid-Winter Conference
March 2-3, 2017

The Austin Holiday Inn Midtown will once again be the location for the 2017 TACES Mid-Winter Conference, Bridging a Divide: Be st Practices in Creating Healthy Communities.

Registration is now open.

The deadline for reserving a room at the Holiday Inn Austin Midtown at the conference rate has been extended until February 20.
 
On Thursday, March 2, 2017, we begin a new tradition with our first Grad Day activity. This focused track will consist of breakout sessions on topics pertinent to graduate students.

Please plan to attend the TACES Mid-Winter panel discussion on Thursday, March 2, 2017, from 7 to 9 p.m. The theme for the panel discussion is Healing a Troubled World: Promoting Ways to Honoring & Understanding Diverse Experiences .
New NCHE Web Page: Children of Incarcerated Parents

While not always the case, the incarceration of a parent may leave a young person with no safe and stable place to stay and in the physical custody of someone who is not their parent or guardian. These young people may be struggling with a variety of difficult emotions and questions about what has happened to their parent and what will happen to them as a result of their parent's incarceration.

To equip schools and service providers to support these young people, NCHE has created a new Children of Incarcerated Parents (COIP) | Incarceration web page.

Resources include the following new tip sheets from Youth.gov:
Tip Sheet for Providers: Supporting Children Who Have an Incarcerated Parent
Tip Sheet for Teachers: Supporting Children Who Have an Incarcerated Parent
Tip Sheet for Youth: Youth Supporting Fellow Youth Who Have an Incarcerated Parent

The NCHE Children of Incarcerated Parents (COIP) | Incarceration webpage also includes sample caregiver affidavits used for purposes of school enrollment by states and districts across the country. We hope this new NCHE webpage will help you in your work.
TWC Funds Pilot Program for Foster Youth

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is seeking education partners for a pilot program to help increase the number of Texas foster youth who graduate from high school.

TWC announced the availability of $1.5 million in funding for the Foster Youth Dropout Recovery and High School Completion pilot program, which will help current and former 16- to 25-year-old foster youth earn a high school diploma or its equivalent, with the opportunity to gain workforce skills and a pathway to employment or postsecondary education.
More Information

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