The 2024 legislative year featured a complex array of policymaking actions that will alter the practice landscape for Ohio school psychologists. In an hour’s time in a convenient virtual webinar, you can learn about Ohio’s new legal requirements related to fitness to return to school, threat related exclusionary discipline, and challenges to safe and affirming educational settings for LGBT+ individuals.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will identify at least 5 key areas of federal Ohio legislative activity over the past term that has been enacted and whose statutory language could impact how schools provide affirming environments for LGBT+ students.
2.  Attendees will review current risk assessment recommendations for threat assessment and begin to conceptualize new requirements towards fitness to return to school evaluations as required in updated Ohio legislative action.
3.  Learners will begin to establish an action plan for their professional practice that encompasses both the changes to Ohio's LGBT+ educational landscape and risk assessment practices.

Presenter:  Erich Merkle, PhD, EdD, NCSP

Erich Merkle, PhD, EdD, NCSP, is central office school psychologist for Akron Public Schools in the District’s Office of School Counseling & Student Wellness. In this work, Dr. Merkle emphasizes comprehensive services for students with social-emotional and behavioral health needs as well as youth identified as multisystem involved. Dr. Merkle holds an APA accredited- and NASP-approved doctorate in school psychology and psychology, an Ed.S. in educational administration and leadership, an M.Ed. in mental health counseling, and an M.A. in human development, all from Kent State University. Dr. Merkle serves on several boards. He was OSPA President in 2014-15 and Ohio Psychological Association President in 2019-20.

1 Ethics Hour Earned

Because of our Community of Practice grant this year, OSPA is able to provide this webinar for FREE to members.  Non-member cost is $15.

Please click HERE to purchase. (must be logged in)

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There are no copyright restrictions on this document. However, please cite and credit the source when copying all or part of this document. This document was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, (Award Number H027A210111, CFDA 84.027A, awarded to the Ohio Department of Education). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, and no official endorsement by the Department should be inferred.