GASP - Legislative Advocacy

Jeanne Pound, GASP legislative Chair, Katie Edwards, GASP President, and Bruce Rogers, GASP legislative monitor, went to Washington DC June 27-29, 2004 to receive training from the NASP (PPI) Public Policy Institute. NASP's PPI is similar to school psychologists political lobbyists on a more national level. Libby Nealis is the NASP contact person and spokesperson for many upcoming bills and statutes coming up for a vote. With the reauthorization of IDEA coming up for passage again it's important that we have a voice in the IDEA mix on how best to identify children with disabilities.

Libby Nealis speaking on Day 1 of PPI

Dr. David Egnor, OSEP Special Assistant

Key speakers heard during the training included David Egnor, Special Assistant to the Director of the Office of Special Education Programs. We also were able to hear from congressional staff from the offices of Senator T. Kennedy, Senator T. Osborne and Senator H. Clinton.

The training was comprised of 2 days of intensive sessions covering a variety of topics including upcoming IDEA issues (such as LD assessments), mental health in schools, evidence based practice of mental health, medicaid issues, NCLB, grant writing and advancing the profession. Jeanne was a co-presenter for advancing our profession and NCSP.

The final day comprised visits with legislators in the senate and the house. GASP probably had more visits than many. We were able to meet (LA) legislative assistants in both senators offices and also met with house members Majette, Gingery, Norwood and Burns.

When visiting with the LA's were able to communicate what school psychologists do in the schools and how we are different from other personnel in the schools. We also discussed how we serve the school community from single students to whole schools and from teachers to parents. GASP was also tasked to convey key pieces of legislation up for consideration and our (NASP's) interest on specific language to be used in the law.

Katie and Jeanne in front of Saxby Chabliss's Office

Washington Monument

It was a FULL 3 days with little time for anything beyond a quick meal or a rushed site seeing trip. The PPI is held every 3 years and has delegates from most of the state associations in attendance. Some smaller or more rural states only had one person as representative and GASP was fortunate to have 3 voices speaking for us!