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President's message - Conclusion to a successful year
I admit to mixed feelings about writing a concluding statement
for this year. This year was both very satisfying and very
frustrating. I believe that OSPA achieved much during the
past year. That I had at least a small part in that is very
satisfying. On the other hand, my limited mobility and my
district's unwillingness to give me release time for functions
was very frustrating.
The main reason OSPA is successful year after year is that
OSPA is not just one person, but a collection of highly
dedicated and committed individuals that see what needs
to be done and then do it.
At this time, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to
the following:
First, I want to thank all of you that work with the families
and students of Ohio on a daily basis and go above and beyond
just because it's the right thing to do. Next, I want to
thank the Executive Board members for their wisdom and ability
to work together. Outgoing Executive Board members Gail
Fadel (membership co-chair) and Ralph Pajka (Cleveland Rep)
served admirably for many years. George Csanyi and MaryAnn
Teitelbaum ended their terms as Past President and Cleveland
Rep., but are staying on as co-chair of Nominations and
Elections and OPA Liaison respectively.
I have a special thank you for Margaret Golledge and the
School Psych Team of the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center
for their support the past three years.
Cheryl VanDenBerge and Ann Brennan provide the supporting
structure that sustains OSPA. Ann's dedication and attention
to detai lhelp pave the way for OSPA's small numbers to
have a large impact in the legislature. Cheryl's grasp of
the business end of OSPA activities is a huge help. It's
difficult to tell how much someone does until you have a
chance to see the situation first hand. I can tell you we
are very lucky to have Ann and Cheryl!
I would be remiss if I didn't give a huge thank you to
Janet Brunecz whose presidential duties started much earlier
than she anticipated. Thank you Janet for representing OSPA
at those functions that I couldn't attend.
Most of all I wish to thank my wife and best friend, Carol
for all her help this year. She was my personal chauffer
during the months I was not allowed to drive (and I didn't
even have to pay her extra!). Her work schedule had to revolve
around mine, which included the intern training and fall
conference.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Due to the efforts of many people OSPA had many highlights
this year:
1. The June Planning Conference was very productive as
the attendees experienced three school-based mental health
services models. The Crisis Team gave us an update during
lunch. The afternoon was spent brainstorming ways to promote
mental health services in the schools. The collective wisdom
of the group's efforts was posted on the website.
2. After some hardware and software problems (Erich's home
computer crashed in September and the Kent State servers
had some conflicts that put the OSPA website down for several
weeks last fall) Erich redid the 1500 or so files for the
website and it came back better than ever. We are moving
steadily toward the reality of using credit cards for services
such as registrations and membership renewals.
3. The Crisis Team presented and OSPA was a co-sponsor
of Joining Forces, a two day event that showcased Ohio's
behavioral response resources to react to a disaster such
as an epidemic, a terrorist attack, a weather disaster,
etc.
4. At the NASP Annual Convention in Atlanta, Alex Thomas
received the NASP Lifetime Achievement Award and Rebecca
Dingeldein was a finalist for the NASP School Psychologist
of the Year.
5. OSPA is growing! A new regional, the North East Ohio
School Psychologists Association (NEOSPA) was born.
6. The Crisis Team is now a standing committee.
7. OSPA had an extremely successful Fall Conference that
greatly improved our financial situation.
8. OSPA ended the year with 833 members, an increase over
last year.
As I look to the future I see three issues that will profoundly
impact our profession for the next few years:
1. RTI vs. Process - oriented assessment. The gauntlet
was thrown down at NASP with a panel discussion including
Dr. Naglieri and Dr. Kovaleski. At the 12th Annual institute
for "Psychology in the Schools" in Washington,
D.C, Dr. Naglieri and Dr.Reynolds will debate Dr. Reschley
and Dr. Shinn on August 17, from 1:30 to 5:30. This whole
subject will be hotly debated many times I'm sure. Additional
information can be found in the Communiqué`. My hope
is that the two extremes can be combined to provide a better
process to help kids.
2. The School Psychologist shortage vs. the $ shortage.
It's hard to imagine a more difficult time for schools trying
to live up to NCLB and SPED law when resources and programs
are being stripped away just to keep the schools open. Lack
of money causes people to make strange decisions sometimes.
This situation doesn't look like there is any viable solution
in the near future.
3. The School Psychologist as Assessor or Mental Health
provider. As has been stated before, School Psychologists
are generally the most highly trained mental health providers
in schools. In many districts, School Psychologist's ARE
the mental health providers. Are we going to be known as
the Assessment experts or the Mental Health experts? I believe
that it is possible to do both. After all, we are trained
to provide both services.
A final highlight - My daughter Brianna was recently accepted
into the School Psychology program at Miami of Ohio. Cool.
As I write this we are finalizing arrangements for her move
to Oxford. I couldn't be more proud!
Lastly, I thank you so much for the opportunity to serve
as OSPA President. This year has been a great experience
that I will always treasure. I look forward to continuing
to work with you in the coming years.
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