February 21, 2023

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced awards of more than $188 million across 170 grantees in over 30 states to increase access to school-based mental health services and strengthen the pipeline of mental health professionals in high-need districts.

“I am incredibly proud of our members for the work that they are doing to support mental health and wellness for the students and staff in the schools that they serve. This funding will support educational service agencies (ESAs) so they can hire school-based mental health providers that will work in local schools. Finding high-quality mental health providers is challenging work, especially in the rural parts of our states; but every day I

see ESAs stepping up to fill this need” said Joan Wade, Executive Director for AESA.

Integrated Marketing Plans

When: February 28, 2023

Time: 2 pm Eastern (1 pm Central; 12 noon Mountain; 11 am Pacific; 10 am Alaska)

See registration and information below:

KEDC staff will share information on their integrated marketing plan that includes social

media initiatives intended to derive reputation branding, as well as efforts to build brand

ambassadors. Learn how they are using social media campaigns that allow them to be the

voice of their own story, and the role brand ambassadors can serve in expanding

marketing efforts.

Join us May 15-17 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as we explore research-

based strategies and resources that integrate social and emotional learning

(SEL) skills building into daily work with students and your personal and

professional growth.

Tara Thomas

Policy Analyst, AESA and AASA

Compiled this resource - thank you!

Have you heard about the $4.5 million Energy CLASS Prize that is now open for submissions? Phase 1 submissions are due on February 28, 2023, by 5 p.m. ET.



The Energy Champions Leading the Advancement of Sustainable Schools (CLASS) Prize was launched by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) State and Community Energy Program Office (SCEP). The Prize will provide training and cash prizes to school districts working to make energy management a sustainable feature of their communities.

The Prize is designed to position Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to make meaningful infrastructure improvements that will reduce utility costs, improve indoor air quality, and improve learning environments long-term. A total of $4.5 million in awards is available, including $3.75 million in cash prizes for selected LEAs to fund energy management professionals-in-training, and an additional $750,000 in technical assistance from Energy CLASS Training Network partners. Experts in the Energy CLASS Training Network will

provide professional development and support to Energy CLASS participants throughout the program.

Want to know more?

1. Check out the prize FAQs or watch the Energy CLASS Prize Informational Webinar for further information. 

2. Follow the Energy CLASS Prize on HeroX to stay up-to-date on all prize-related news.

GOOGLE FORMS, More Than Just Surveys

Professional Learning Opportunity

Thursday, March 9, 2023

2 pm Eastern; (1 pm Central; 12 noon Mountain; 11 am Pacific; 10 am Alaska)

Creating and sharing forms created with Google Forms is simple and easy. While the first applications that come to mind are surveys, some of the most effective uses are for forms that we create for ourselves or for our teams. We will explore many of the capabilities and examine simple and practical uses. The best forms are easy to use and appealing to the eye. Data from a google form seamlessly port to Google Sheets, making it easy to organize and sort results. There are also many opportunities to use forms for collaboration between office staff and teams or an administrator.

Cost: $50 per person

Members of the AESA Executive Assistant to the CEO Community of Practice receive a 50% discount. Contact Ann Fiene for the discount code.