There are a number of initiatives that OSPA will undertake this year, but I will focus on three here. First is our role as school psychologists in the comprehensive school-wide prevention and intervention model known as the Ohio Integrated Systems Model for Academic and Behavior Supports (OISM). This model establishes support systems for addressing both academic and behavioral needs of all students; consequently, OSPA sees school psychologists as vital to the implementation of this model as we have unique expertise in these areas. OISM will require us to reconceptualize the role and function of the school psychologist. This will require us to move beyond the narrow scope of assessment for purpose of eligibility determination of students with disabilities toward comprehensive mental health service delivery for all students. OSPA is working with the Office for Exceptional Children to promote this model of service delivery across the state. Please see George Csanyi’s article in the latest issue of The Ohio School Psychologist for more information. (And join me in thanking George for all he is doing to help lead OSPA’s efforts in this important endeavor)

The second initiative on which I am focusing is the ongoing effort for OSPA to continually use available technologies to improve our networking with each other. As a primary purpose of OSPA is to facilitate communication and dialogue among its members across the state, the use of technological applications will become increasingly important. With this in mind, OSPA launched its website (www.ospaonline.org) and listserv several years ago. We are currently examining a number of options for the website and listserv, some of which include online conference registration, expanded webpages for local affiliates, voting for OSPA officers, and purchasing OSPA merchandise. If you have expertise in listserv management, website development, etc., and would be willing to assist the OSPA Technology Committee, please drop me a line.

The third initiative is to continue to promote participation on any of OSPA’s several committees. These committees, in many ways, are the lifeblood of our organization. OSPA committee members are the ones who take large-scale ideas, break them down into concrete steps, and take action. There are any number of committees on which you could serve that might match your talents and interests. I heartily encourage you to explore some of them on the OSPA website and ask around at the fall conference. Your level of participation is entirely self-directed, but if you’ve ever thought about “giving back” to the profession and/or getting involved in your state organization – now is the time!
I want to close by thanking some individuals. OSPA simply does not work without the contributions of so many dedicated professionals. First, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our Past President, Janet Brunecz. Janet and I both came from the same regional affiliate and, from the first day I became involved, she has been a constant source of mentorship and support. I want to express my appreciation for Dr. Kristine Quallich, who has really taken our OSPA journal, The Ohio School Psychologist, to the next level. She has dedicated countless hours to making this publication what it is today – please join me in expressing your appreciation for her efforts! I want to thank Ann Brennan, our Director of Legislative Services, for her tireless advocacy on behalf of our profession and Ohio’s students. I am grateful beyond words that our voice at so many statewide meetings comes from someone that is so very dedicated, talented, and professional. Ann, thank you. Finally, I want to thank Cheryl Van den Berge. OSPA simply would not function as an organization without her. She has been a steady support and has provided me with invaluable insights and counsel as we move OSPA forward. I am so very appreciative of all you are doing for me and for our profession – thank you, Cheryl!

Finally, I want to thank you again for your membership in OSPA. We live in challenging times. Meeting these challenges requires, among other things, developing an educated citizenry, helping the next generation compete in the global economy, and engaging all members of society in working to together to solve common problems. Thank you for all you do every day to help Ohio students meet these challenges.

Warmest regards,

Robert J. Kubick Jr.
President – Ohio School Psychologists Association

OSPA COMMITTEES – GET INVOLVED!

The most frequent question I get from OSPA members is, "How can I become more involved in OSPA?" The easiest way to get more involved in OSPA and to assist our organization in its mission is to join one of our many committees. The accumulated committee members of OSPA are truly the “lifeblood" of the organization. The committees are not only charged with the day-to-day tasks that come with running a professional organization of our size, but are often called upon to assist with the leadership in charting the future direction of school psychology in Ohio.

I have asked the chairs of the various OSPA committees to provide you with a brief synopsis of the role/function of their committee. They have also included contact information for members who would like further information. Membership in OSPA committees is open to any interested OSPA member and completely voluntary on your part. You may participate at your own level of comfort with respect to time commitments and duties/responsibilities. Our committee chairs are very flexible in terms of matching your experiences, talents, and desires to specific committee work. Committees are run as team enterprises, and contributions are encouraged from across the spectrum of professionals in our state.

The professional practice of school psychology involves seemingly innumerable commitments, but if you've ever considered deepening your involvement with OSPA, then I urge you to give strong consideration to this overture and make contact with one of our committee chairs. We look forward to hearing from you!

Rob Kubick
President
Ohio School Psychologists Association

Awards Committee

The purpose of the Awards Committee is to review and recommend recipients for the awards presented to OSPA members in recognition of their outstanding achievement in the field of school psychology. The Awards Committee also submits nominations to NASP for those who hold dual membership.

Chair: Kristen Prough
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(330) 636-3081

Child Advocacy Committee

The role/function of Child Advocacy Committee is evolving at the present time, and ideas for the future direction of the committee’s work are open for discussion.
Currently, anyone who might be interested in being a part of this committee will be given information on local groups in their area that are involved with Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success. The Network, which has six different regions in Ohio, is funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Ohio Department of Education. OMHNSS has a website with additional information for anyone interested. Please visit: http://www.units.muohio.edu/csbmhp/network/index.html

Chair: Gayle Vonderembse
 

Crisis Committee

The Crisis Committee is one of the newest committees for OSPA. Over the last few years, committee members have worked hard to organize volunteers from around the state who would like to learn crisis intervention skills, network with other professionals in regards to crisis interventions, and sharing this information with other OSPA members.

The mission of the OSPA Crisis Committee is to facilitate student and staff psychological well being, in order to enable schools to resume normal activities after a crisis, which would maximize educational performance.

The OSPA Crisis Committee would like to assist school psychologists in their response to students and families in crisis situations by:

(1) Gathering information about crisis prevention, intervention, and postvention and making this information available to OSPA members.

(2) Providing a supportive network of professionals to increase knowledge and skills in crisis situations.

(3) Increasing collaborative involvement in regional / state teams in preparation for possible response to a region / state crisis.

(4) Providing on-sight crisis assistance.

The Crisis Committee is always looking for volunteers who would like to be a part of this exciting committee. You do not have to be an expert in the field of crisis intervention, you just need a desire to help others in times of crisis. The Crisis Committee offers training opportunities and materials to OSPA members.

Team Member Contact: Brian Hill

Ethics and Professional Standards Committee

The role of the "Ethics Committee" is to provide information and education about issues related to the ethical practice of school psychology. The committee responds to inquiries received from members, and disseminates information about topics of likely interest to members, including independent practice issues. While the committee does not itself address complaints or allegations of ethical misconduct on the part of OSPA members, it can make referrals to organizations or agencies that have regulatory authority. The Ethics Committee also advocates appropriate professional practices, and periodically reviews the OSPA Code of Ethics for potential revisions.
Chair: Kathy McNamara

Fall Conference Committee

The mission of this committee is to coordinate the planning of the annual Oscar fall conference. This includes selecting speakers/presenters for the conference, determining the location of the conference, and providing on-site logistical support.

Co- Chairs: Susan Johnston Jay Bahnsen

Legislative Committee

The purpose of this committee is to formulate OSPA's legislative platform, and to also serve as part of OSPA's Legislative Action Network. Members meet twice a year at both the Fall and Spring OSPA conference, and sometimes meet once in the winter, in
Columbus. Members have been active in developing OSPA's legislative positions,
consistent with OSPA's Mission and the broader legislative platform. Members are
called upon to write letters to legislators on bills of interest to OSPA, and also asked to keep their state legislators informed about the profession of school psychology, the school psychology intern program, and the services school psychologists provide to students. New members are always welcome, as they provide valuable input into this
dynamic committee.

Co-Chairs: Barb Scholl Ann Brennan
 

Nominations and Elections Committee

The purpose of the committee is to solicit nominations for various OSPA offices
and regional representatives, as well as for the State Board of Psychology and School Psychology Examination Committee positions. Through this process, OSPA members elect, annually, a President-Elect and a Secretary. Every three years the Treasurer and those regions whose representatives’ terms expire are re-elected or replaced as well. In summary, the officials serve as follows:

President-Elect - 1 year before assuming the Presidency
Secretary - 1 year
Treasurer - 3 years
Regional Representative - 3 years

The committee typically meets during the OSPA Fall and Spring Conferences to develop a timeline of activities, prepare goals for the upcoming year, and assign responsibilities. During the spring general election, committee members meet (outside of the fall and spring conference time periods) to count ballots and subsequently notify of Executive Board and candidates of the outcome prior to announcing the results to the general membership during the Business Meeting of the OSPA Spring Conference.

Since School Year 2005-2006, the Nominations and Elections Committee has solicited nominations for President-Elect, Secretary, and other officers as appropriate during the conference in the fall. Regional representatives were not included because it is the responsibility of OSPA’s regional affiliates to provide nominations. During School Year 2006-2007, the Nominations and Elections Committee agreed to allow the membership to suggest OSPA members from their regions for the position of OSPA regional representative. The names submitted would in turn be given to the regional president. It remains the responsibility of the regional affiliate to submit names to be placed on the ballot.

The Nominations and Elections Committee members desire to have members from as many regions throughout Ohio as possible, so that the membership of the Committee is representative of the Association. Apart from the two meetings at conferences, there is very little time required to serve on our committee. Most of our work is done via phone or email, so come join us and learn more about OSPA!!!

Co-Chairs: M. Reuben Mosidi, Ph.D. George M. Csanyi, Ed.D.
 

Spring Conference Committee

The mission of this committee is to coordinate the planning of the annual Oscar spring conference. This includes selecting speakers/presenters for the conference, determining the location of the conference, and providing on-site logistical support.

Co-Chairs: Sal Karanough-Schuler Elaine Semper
 

OSPA Technology Committee

The role and function of the OSPA Technology Committee is to facilitate electronic communication and disseminate information to members, potential members and/or the general public. This is currently achieved through the OSPA website and listserv. This committee is also available to assist the organization in maintaining or choosing appropriate equipment, software, or support services. The Technology Committee is an ideal opportunity for those in the organization who wish to use their technological skills and knowledge in facilitating the mission of OSPA.

Chair: Jeff York