CSCA Advocacy Toolkit

Introduction

The Colorado School Counselor Association (CSCA) Advocacy Committee plays a crucial role in promoting and protecting the interests of school counselors across our state. This toolkit is designed to empower Colorado school counselors to become effective advocates for their profession and the students they serve.

Understanding Advocacy

Advocacy is a key component of being an effective school counselor. It involves:

Promoting the school counseling profession
Educating stakeholders about the role of school counselors
Influencing policies that affect school counseling and student well-being

Colorado-Specific Resources

Colorado Legislative Process Overview
List of Colorado State Legislators and Contact Information
Colorado Department of Education School Counselor Resources
CSCA Position Statements on Key Issues

Advocacy Strategies

Local School & District Advocacy

Prepare and present your counseling department plan to administrators
Develop an annual agreement with your school principal
Create a school counseling advisory council
Utilize National School Counseling Week as an advocacy opportunity

State-Level Advocacy

Participate in CSCA's annual advocacy events
Attend public meetings with your local legislator
Respond to CSCA action alerts
Engage with CSCA's team of lobbyists monitoring potential legislation

Tools and Templates

"The Role of the School Counselor in Colorado" presentation
Sample emails/letters to legislators
Data collection templates to showcase your impact
Social media advocacy campaign materials

Research and Data

Colorado-specific student-to-school-counselor ratios
Impact of the Colorado School Counselor Corps Grant Program
National research on school counselor effectiveness

Success Stories

Highlight of the successful advocacy for additional $2 million for the Counselor Corps Grant Program in 2021
Testimonials from Colorado school counselors on successful advocacy efforts

Get Involved

Join the CSCA Advocacy Committee
Attend CSCA advocacy training workshops
Participate in CSCA's annual conference advocacy sessions

Stay Informed

Subscribe to CSCA's advocacy newsletter
Follow CSCA on social media for real-time updates
Regularly check the CSCA website for new advocacy resources

Remember, your voice matters! By using this toolkit and actively participating in advocacy efforts, you can help shape the future of school counseling in Colorado and ensure that all students have access to comprehensive school counseling programs.