Gloria A. Jean
NYSSCA Government Relations Co-Chair
518-573-8333
GovernmentRelations@nyssca.org
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
NYSACAC is sponsoring a Legislative Advocacy Day in Albany on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012, to encourage the legislature to continue to support opportunity programs and the Tuition Assistance Program for New Yorkers. They are also excited to support Assembly Bill 8689, which would create the DREAM fund commission.
All are welcome to join in this event and to bring students if possible, especially to the 10 am rally.
There is no registration cost to attend the 2012 NYSACAC Advocacy Day.
Breakfast will be provided at the hotel and lunch vouchers will also be provided.
NYSACAC will be sponsoring a bus from New York City to Albany on Tuesday, February 7th at 7am. There will be no cost for taking the bus. The bus will leave from The Cooper Union, 41 Cooper Square New York, NY 10003 (corner of 7th street and 3rd Avenue). Closest subways are 6 to Astor Place and the N/R to 8th Street. Register Here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VQHW5H8
Agenda:
8:00 am - 8:30 am: Breakfast and Check-In at Holiday Inn Express - Albany Downtown - 300 Broadway Albany, NY 12207
8:30 am - 10:00 am: Legislative Priorities Review and Lobbying Preparation
10:00 am - 11 am: Join the rally in the Legislative Office Building, "The Well"
11:00 am - 2:00 pm: Meetings with key legislators
3:00 pm – Program ends, bus to NYC leaves
If you wish to stay in Albany on Monday, February 6th, the Holiday Inn Express is holding a block of rooms for NYSACAC. You can book a room by calling 518-434-4111. Rooms are $104. Mention group code “ACA” or say that you are with NYSACAC. Parking is complimentary and there is a free shuttle from the Amtrak train station.
December 2011 |
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On your behalf, I met with John Green and Kristan Connolly at NYSUT’s offices in Latham, NY, on December 1, 2011, to explore ways NYSUT can support NYSSCA’s advocacy efforts. It was an exciting meeting with lots of promise for a future of mutual support.
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NYSUT believes they can support NYSSCA several different ways: |
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Help us draft legislation
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Communicate with legislators to help find our supporters
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Promote school counseling through NYSSCA developed “fact sheets”
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Provide research and data on New York State education related issues and topics
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Provide meeting space and guidance for regional advocacy efforts
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To do this effectively, there are things NYSSCA needs to do first. Their recommendations are:
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The role of the school counselor in NY and why students need school counselors
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The impact of recent budget cuts including school counselor to student ratios issues
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What is The Model and how will it help education and students in New York State?
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Gather data on school counselor related topics and issues
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Develop regionally based “Advocacy Teams”
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Develop relationships with each of NYSUT’s regional offices and PACs (political action centers)
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Participate on NYSUT state-wide events, e.g. Committee of 100 – April 2012
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John and Kristan suggested I have a follow-up meeting with Larry Waite at NYSUT on how to advocate for school counselors through the Department of Education and Board of Regents. This meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at 10 am in the NYSUT Latham offices. If you have any questions or comments you would like me to share during this meeting, feel free to contact me. |
Following this meeting I will be submitting an Advocacy Action Plan to the NYSSCA Board for discussion and approval. Please continue to send your comments and individual stories to keep us on track regarding your concerns and needs as a school counselor in New York State and as a NYSSCA member! |
How To Contact Your Elected Officials
from your NYSSCA Government Relations Committee
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Find out who represents you by going to www.assembly.state.ny.us and www.senate.state.ny.us and providing your address/size code. Representatives split their time between Albany and their local offices. You can obtain their local addresses,
access their individual web pages, contact them via e-mail, look up committees and bill information, and find out what’s going
on in the State Legislature at these websites.
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You can write to your Assemblyperson, Senator, Education Committee chair and/or members in both the Assembly and the Senate and any sponsors of bills that you may be supportive of. Here are some tips to improve the effectiveness of your letter: |
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Salutation should read, “Honorable Senator/Assemblyman/Assemblywoman (state the name),”
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State your purpose upfront. If the letter pertains to a certain piece of legislation, identify it that way by using the bill number or title.
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Stick to one issue. Be concise and brief; at most, one page.
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Be courteous, use examples to support your position, include personal experiences when appropriate.
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Ask legislators to do something (like support a Bill) or thank them for what they did do.
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If you disagree, tell him/her why, yet always be polite and respectful.
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Refer to your organization and/or school area.
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Write legibly or type your letter.
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Provide your name, title (School Counselor), email and address in the message.
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Contact the office if you have not received a reply within six weeks.
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| Mailing addresses for Albany |
Senate: Honorable Senator (NAME)
New York State Senate
Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
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Assembly: Honorable Assembly Member (NAME)
New York State Assembly
Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
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Other information:
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Our NYS certification is “School Counselor”, not guidance counselor.
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The accepted ratio of school counselor to student is 1:250 as supported by both the American School Counselor Association and the New York State School Counselor Association.
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The “Children’s Plan” introduced by the NYS Office of Mental Health in October 2008 stated, “school districts need to implement social and emotional development programs at the elementary and secondary levels as prescribed in paragraph (b) of subdivision one of section 3 of the Children’s Mental Health Act of 2006.” School counselors are uniquely qualified to provide these programs.
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If you’d like to participate on the NYSSCA Government Relations Committee, email GovernmentRelations@nyssca.org
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