Ψ SCASP Ψ

SCASP Steering Committee Meeting Dates for 2010-11 School Year

This message is to update you on the outcome regarding the school psychologist exemption in APA’s newly adopted Model Act for State Licensure of Psychologists (MLA). We are very pleased to report that, earlier today (February 20, 2010), the APA Council of Representatives voted to retain the right of both specialist and doctoral level school psychologists credentialed by State Education Agencies to use the title “school psychologist.” 
 
Please see the e-mail below from Bonnie Nastasi, President of APA Division 16. We appreciate the APA Council’s serious attention to this issue and the efforts of Division 16, and look forward to a shared commitment to ensure appropriate mental health services for children and families.
 
Of course we could not have achieved this outcome without you. On behalf of the entire NASP leadership, thank you for your membership and your role in enabling NASP to so effectively represent school psychology. 
 
Sincerely,

Patti L. Harrison, PhD, NCSP
NASP President

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From: Bonnie Nastasi [mailto:bonnastasi@yahoo.com] 
Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2010 1:51 PM
To: Harrison, Patti
Subject: Letter from President Division 16

Colleagues,

The Division of School Psychology was able to successfully negotiate the following language, passed by the APA’s Council of Representatives (CoR) today 2/20/2010. This language acknowledges that State Education Agencies credential and title practitioners who work in the schools (that may or may not hold a doctoral degree) and acknowledges that State Boards of Psychology credentials practitioners for independent practice (where a doctoral degree is required).

Nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent (cite relevant state education authority or statutory provisions) from credentialing individuals to provide school psychological services in those settings that are under the purview of the state education agency. Such individuals shall be restricted in their practice and the use of the title so conferred, which must include the word "school", to employment within those settings. This provision is not intended to restrict the activities of licensed psychologists.

We are proud of the leadership of our CoR representatives, Cindy Carlson, Frank Worrell, Beth Doll and MLA Task Force Liaisons, Deborah Tharinger, Randy Kamphaus and Tammy Hughes, as well as the support from Steve DeMers from ASPPB on behalf of the school psychology community. 

Sincerely,

Bonnie K. Nastasi, PhD
President, Division 16, APA
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
2007 Percival Stern Hall, Tulane University
New Orleans, LA 70118