March 28, 2023
FSCA Comment Posted for FL DOE Draft School Counseling Standards
The Florida School Counselor Association (FSCA) Advocacy Committee is concerned that the new school counseling standards do not follow Florida statute (FL St 1011.62-(13) (b) 1) regarding mental health services in schools. The state statute listed school counselors as mental health service providers in schools. Yet, the new Florida school counseling standards do not define school counselors as mental health services providers, which contradicts the state statute.
FL St 1011.62-(13) (b) 1 states the following:
“Direct employment of school-based mental health services providers to expand and enhance school-based student services and reduce the student-to-staff ratio to better align with nationally recommended ratio models. These providers include, but are not limited to, certified school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and other licensed mental health professionals.” (FL St 1011.62-(13) (b) 1).
Given their expertise and training in this area, we are doing our PK-12 students a disservice if we do not incorporate mental health services facilitated by school counselors. School counselor training incorporates many of the same classes as clinical mental health professionals, including counseling theories and techniques, human development, group counseling, assessment classes, and an intensive internship process in PK-12 schools.
The FSCA Advocacy Committee agrees with the characteristics of resilience as defined in the FL DOE Definition (6A-1.094124 (4)) Required Instruction Planning and Reporting). However, resilience does not address how to support students’ mental health issues in schools through resources such as short-term counseling and group counseling, which all certified school counselors are qualified to facilitate as part of their roles. Additionally, school counselors refer parents to community agencies for long-term therapeutic support.
In closing, the FSCA Advocacy Committee would like to work closely with the individuals creating these standards to assist in better alignment with current student issues and needs. Additionally, we request that the standards are congruent with (FL St 1011.62-(13) (b) 1, which states school counselors are school-based mental health providers.
Sincerely,
Dr. Erik Hines and Dr. Robert Pincus, FSCA Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
Additional Names Supporting Letter from FSCA Board of Directors, Executive Committee
Dr. Carmen Larson, FSCA Board Chair
Veronica Kirby, FSCA Board Assistant-Chair
Dr. Cindy Topdemir, Former FSCA Board Chair
