NASP CHILDREN’S FUND
ANNUAL REPORT
2005-06
Presented to NASP Delegate Assembly, July 2006
Updated August 2006
Jeffrey S. McNish, President, Children’s Fund
ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S FUND
The NASP Children’s Fund, Inc., was founded in 1986 as a tax-exempt, non-profit, independent
501©3 charity that is affiliated with the National Association of School Psychologists. The Fund
accepts and disburses monies for charitable purposes that are consistent with the Fund’s priorities.
Information about the Fund can be obtained through the NASP office during regular business
hours at:
4340 East West Hwy #402
Bethesda, MD 20814-9457
301/657-0270 (phone)
301/657-0275 (fax)
The Children’s Fund home page can also be accessed at:
www.nasponline.org/about_nasp/childfund.html, or by linking through the NASP homepage.
ORGANIZATION
Membership is open to members of NASP. Current dues are $10 and must be specifically
noted as membership dues when made with additional donation amounts. Attendance and
purchases at the annual auction is separate from membership. The Board of Trustees directs
all Fund activities and is a separate entity from the NASP Board.
BECOMING A TRUSTEE
There are presently two Trustees from each of the four geographical regions of NASP, plus two
At-Large Trustees. Any Fund member may nominate another Fund member for a position on the
Board. The full Delegate Assembly votes on the At-Large positions, while the regional Trustees
are chosen by the delegates from the region they represent. Elections are held during the Spring
Delegate Assembly. Trustee terms are four years in length and begin July 1. Trustees elect CF
officers annually.
OBJECTIVES AND GIVING POLICIES
The purpose of the Children’s Fund, Inc., shall be to:
• Advocate for the essential rights and welfare of all children and youth;
• Promote learning environments that facilitate optimal development;
• Research effective interventions that address distressing circumstances of children and youth;
• Embrace individual differences in children and youth.
Historically, the Fund supported collaborative research into promising programs through competitive
grants. Later the Fund broadened its scope to include requests for service projects and proposals for
assistance with the aftermath of disasters. The Fund presently also distributes a number of Tiny Grants,
Mini-Grants, and Mental Health Grants designed to quickly fund important activities. All grant
application forms and procedures can be downloaded on the website.
Board Structure & Terms Effective July 1, 2006
Children’s Fund
Mission: To promote the welfare of children through the specialty of school psychology,
accomplished by receiving gifts and donations, investing the assets of the corporation, and
awarding funds for projects specifically related to children.
President:
Jeff McNish (NE; 2005-2009)
nisher@comcast.net,
603-226-3708
Vice President:
Mark Roth (NE; 2004-2008)
mmroth1@verizon.net
207-941-6230
Secretary:
Joelene Goodover (W; 2006-2010)
joelene_goodover@gfps.k12.mt.us
406-761-1970
Treasurer:
Judy Martin (C; 2003-2007)
martijud@salem.k12.wi.us
262-843-4708
Trustees:
Delores Terry (SE; 2006-2010)
djterry1@comcast.net
804-264-5609
Fulvia Franco (at-large; 2003-2007)
fulvia.franco@jordan.k12.ut.us
801-572-0287
Dixie Bryson (SE; 2005-2009)
dbryson959@aol.com
501-343-3334
Joe Gerard (at-large; 2003-2007)
jgerard@gci.net
907-745-3369
Michael Forcade (C; 2003-2007)
forcade_m@hcesc.org
513-745-9298
Susan Freeman Compton (W; 2004-2008)
slfc1@aol.com
719-547-1120
Delores Terry(SE) replaced Leigh Armistead (SE) whose term expired June 30, 2006.
JoeleneGoodover (W) retained her seat on the Board for a second term.
The board is very grateful to Leigh for all his efforts on behalf of the CF.
CHILDREN’S FUND SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENSES
(*Fiscal Year is from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006)
Income:
Auction
AGS Contribution
Dues
Contributions
Misc.
From Reserves
$15,105.90
10,000.00
14,545.00
17,727.50
130.88
2772.46
*Totals:
$60,261.74
Expenses:
Meetings (Convention/Summer) 6946.65
Auction
14,879.81
Allocations
37,697.76
Audit
42.79
Annual Report/Org. Expenses
52.72
Membership
246.35
Recognitions/Honorariums
64.95
Bank Expenses
113.95
Misc.
216.76
*Totals:
$60,261.74
Submitted by Judy Martin, Treasurer Children’s Fund.
*Children’s Fund participated in an audit this past year and information is available to the
Delegates upon request. Please contact Judy or any of the Trustees with any questions.
CHILDREN’S FUND REPORT SUMMARY, 2005-06
In fiscal year 2005-06, NASP Children’s Fund allocated over $37,000 in the form of
grants and disaster relief donations to help school psychologists and other advocates help
children. Katrina Relief efforts generated over $12,000 that was distributed among the
three hardest hit states. Service Projects, Mini-Grants, Mental Health Grants, and Tiny
Grants totaled approximately $24,000, and the “I Like Me” project was another great
success at a cost of approximately $3000. Funding for these projects was provided by the
generosity of hundreds of people attending the Children’s Fund auction, dues of
membership, and donations not earmarked for disaster relief. In all, expenses for this
fiscal year totaled $60.261.
Hurricane Katrina efforts were a primary focus for a good part of this year. Through the
dedicated efforts of Dixie Bryson (CF-SE region), who coordinated with regional
leadership in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, the CF was able to channel monies
directly to communities in need. NASP provided the conduit through donation links on
the web-site and CF was able to distribute all funds earmarked for Katrina victims to
affected areas. In this manner CF was able to ensure, to the greatest degree possible, that
funds were appropriately distributed. Thanks to all who donated and helped in ways we
will never know. Rest assured your efforts are still being realized.
This year’s CF auction marked the first year for new auctioneer Fred Provenzano, who
did a wonderful job replacing the long time incumbent Alex Thomas. Fulvia Franco and
Joe Gerard also did an excellent job organizing the auction this year as Shelvie Cole
retired from the CF Board last year. Their hard work and willingness to donate time to
this effort is greatly appreciated. Sports memorabilia, celebrity signed items, jewelry,
and fine artwork headed the items generating the most excitement, and greatest revenue.
As in the past CF received a very generous donation of $10,000 from Pearson
Assessments (formerly AGS) to use towards the auction. We have recently heard that
this donation will be doubled next year ($20,000) for the auction in New York City and
our sincere thanks goes out to Pearson Assessments for their generosity! The CF Board
would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of those who have volunteered, attended,
and contributed to the auction over the years!
CHILDREN’S FUND REPORT SUMMARY, 2005-06 (Continued)
The “I Like Me!” project was again successful and Board members and others were
delighted at the children’s responses as they received and read through their books!
Many wonderful thank you cards recently arrived from the students and overwhelmingly
they expressed their excitement at seeing their own name, and the names of their friends
and teachers, in the books they received. Given the repeated success and enthusiasm
generated by this project, CF and NASP will be looking to expand the concept on a
greater scale in the future.
The Children’s Fund Board has made significant changes in fund allocations the past few
years and trustees continue to assess past, present, and future projects. Please feel free to
share ideas and provide feedback to your regional representatives throughout the year.
Thanks again to all who have participated in CF, and to all of the Trustees and volunteers
who gave their time and support throughout the year!
MEMBERSHIP
The NASP-CF is working on establishing consistent procedures for membership, as it has
been difficult to track exact numbers in the past. CF will continue to work with NASP
office staff to find an efficient method of record keeping for CF membership. CF will
continue to recruit new members, especially among the delegates and students.
KATRINA/DISASTER RELIEF
Given the tragedy from hurricane Katrina in the Gulf region NASP and CF worked to
provide a process for donations to be made that would be channeled back to victims of
Katrina. The scope of the event and its ramifications are still being realized, and CF
worked with the state delegates in identifying local schools and communities where
monies and supplies can be donated. The Board thanks those who made donations. The
NASP-CF maintains a permanent link to reflect “Disaster Relief” for any future donors,
as it is with your support that we are able to make at least a small difference in people's
lives during times of tragedy. Nothing will ever make up for what is lost, but as we have
learned from past experiences, every little bit counts.
NASP-CF collected a total of $12,692.00 dollars for the Katrina Relief Fund. The funds
were allocated as follows:
LA---$7000.00
MS---$4,270.41
AL---$1,300.00
S/H Plush Animals---$121.59
The NASP-CF received great feedback from the Katrina affected southern states as to
what the CF efforts meant to them. There have been several heartwarming accounts;
however, these areas are still in need. CF will continue to provide assistance at the
request of delegates as best it can.
Susan Ratterree (Delegate-LA) provided a breakdown of monies spent in her state that
gave an idea of the types of assistance donations were able to provide. Included were gift
cards for food and clothing and supplies and uniforms for school.
Additionally, Evansville School District in Evansville, Indiana was hit by deadly
Tornadoes and the NASP-CF provided assistance with disaster relief funds that were not
earmarked for Katrina.
NASP Children's Fund Service Projects 2005-06
For the 2005-06 year, the NASP Children's Fund approved and funded three service
projects for a total of $4148 ($6741.22 including carryover from last year’s grants).
An application submitted by Dr. Rivka Olley of the Timber Grove Elementary School,
Owings Mills, Maryland, for a project called Read Across America: Raven's Night at
Timber Grove, was funded in the amount of $1000. This innovative project, focusing on
increasing reading opportunities for both children and their parents, featured the
appearance of several players from the Baltimore Ravens football team at the kickoff
event, Reading Night at Timber Grove. With this event, "the project brings more
families to the school for activities related to reading; uses identification with athletes as
readers; and connects reading, fun, and families."
Another application, submitted by Leena Weaver, Ed.S and Traci Grover, M.Ed., of the
Boise, Idaho School District called Youth Empowerment Project, was approved for the
amount of $648. This project focuses on connecting children with emotional disabilities
to their community, by "helping them to build leadership skills, empowerment skills,
social competencies, and a sense of purpose……..by teaching them the value of service
to [sic. other] children in their community." As a by-product of the project, students
were also taught research and writing skills that will be of benefit to them in the future in
school.
The Children's Fund board of directors also funded the continuation of a project called
NO OFFENSE, submitted by Dr. Lauren P. Jones of the Payne Elementary School of the
District of Columbia Public Schools in the amount of $2500. This project, funded by the
Children's Fund for the 2005-06 school year involving Tai Chi as an alternative to
violence, is being expanded to include a population of special education students.
Funding a continuation of a project is consistent with Children's Fund policy of providing
grants for a one-time renewal of an existing project.
NASP Children’s Fund
Online Grant Program
This year, the Children’s Fund had two grant programs administered entirely online—the
popular TinyGrants program and the newly created Practitioners’ Mental Health Startup
Grants. With both, applicants applied using online forms on the NASP web site and all
correspondence was by email. This has proved to be an effective way to administer
these programs which dispense relative small amounts of money to a large number of
recipients.
TinyGrants: This Children's Fund program provides small grants--up to $150--directly to
NASP members to help meet children's welfare, educational, or mental health needs.
TinyGrants began in 2003. There are two categories of TinyGrants:
Children's Needs: Items to help meet basic needs of children at school are
acceptable. Examples: clothing, eyeglasses, book bags, school supplies, etc.
Mental HeaIth: These enable school psychologists to enhance their own
capabilities to provide mental health services within their schools. Acceptable
purchases included therapeutic video tapes and games, relaxation tapes,
classroom guidance materials, group counseling resources, books for
bibliotherapy, etc.
TinyGrants are not provided for continuing professional development, academic
intervention materials, assessment materials, or for professional libraries. In most cases,
program operating expenses including costs for behavioral intervention reinforcers are
not funded.
Publicity efforts for TinyGrants have included handouts to state delegates, articles in the
Communiqué, and announcements on the NASP web site in NASP Announce, an online
newsletter. The administrative aspects of TinyGrants are simplified and efficient: receipts
serve as requests for reimbursement and are mailed to the Children's Fund Treasurer.
For 2005–06, $10,000 was budgeted for mental health grants and $5000 was budgeted
for basic children's needs.
Outcomes:
Total number of grants
Regular members
Student members
Other members
94
69
20
5
Number of mental health grants
Number of basic needs grants
Number of states represented
Amount allocated for mental health grants
Amount allocated for basic needs grants
Total allocated
58
36
30
$8275.00
$5350.00
$13625.00
The exact amounts granted will not be determined until all receipts are submitted for
reimbursement. The amounts granted for mental health purposes are lower than in
2004–05. It is recommended that regular notices be made in NASP Announce next year
in order to promote these grants.
Practitioners’ Mental Health Startup Grants: New for 2005–06, this grant program
provided six $500 grants to support the provision of mental health services in schools.
These grants were not competitive and were not limited to new practitioners. They were
awarded to the first six NASP members who submitted compelling applications. Funds
were not provided for assessment materials, only for materials related to prevention and
intervention. Applicants were required to demonstrate that their proposed interventions
were evidence-based. As with TinyGrants, these grants were submitted online and
administered by email. Recipients of this year’s grants were:
•
Sara Vondracke, Hamilton City Schools, Hamilton, OH, to develop a crisis
response toolkit.
•
Bryony Rowe, Madison County Schools, Richmond, KY, for a bullying prevention
program.
•
Wanda Heath, Marietta City Schools, Marietta, GA for a high school counseling
program.
•
Christine Montesi, Jockey Hollow School, Monroe, CT for a "connecting with
parents" program.
•
Roberto Mercado, Kelvyn Park High, Chicago Public Schools, for
a prevention/early intervention program.
•
Laura Luna, Lawrence Public Schools, Lawrence, MA, to implement the Second
Step program.
Comments from this years' grant recipients:
Thank you for the tiny grant. It was put to good use this year, as always. A single mom
with four children moved here from VA. Her husband had passed away a few months
ago. She was looking for employment, but asked if we had any food to assist the family.
Three bags of food for the family was sent home, thanks to your assistance. Another
single mom of a 16 year old boy, whose mental age is <1 month, asked for baby wipes
for a Christmas gift. A container of baby wipes is sent home weekly, thanks to your
generosity. I am proud to be part of this association who do so much for the children.
Sincerely,
Fran Gadue
I received the TinyGrant prior to Christmas and was able to use it to purchase needed
clothing for a family within our school district. This family is experiencing financial
difficulty and consists of five children, ranging in age from preschool to eighth grade.
With the TinyGrant, the school social worker and I were able to purchase a pair of pants
and shirt, as well as, new socks and underwear for each child. We delivered the clothing
to the family on the last day of school prior to Christmas break. It appeared that the
clothing was going to be given to the children as their Christmas presents. The younger
children looked excited to see us bringing something for them. It was so nice to be able
to provide this family with things they needed for the holidays. Thank you for the
TinyGrant. It was greatly appreciated and very helpful.
Susan
Gillenwater
I received a Tiny Grant in the amount of $100.00 several months ago. I purchased The
Talking, Feeling, Doing Game by Richard Gardner, MD and Skillstreaming for the
Elementary School Skill Cards by Dr. McGinnis and Dr. Arnold P. Goldstein. I will be
using both items to build social skills with my elementary school counseling groups. As
an intern, these items are a great addition to the start of my resources. Thank you for
your generosity.
Sincerely,
Lynne Levande, M.S.
Thank you so much for the TinyGrant! Being an internship student this year, I did not
have many resources at my disposal during the start of the year. The TinyGrant enabled
me to purchase some very valuable tools to use with students I worked with both
individually and in group counseling situations. I used the grant to buy materials
addressing areas such as expressing emotions, coping skills, social skills, and anger
management, and I am very pleased with the library of materials I have started--they've
been a hit with the students! Thanks again!!!
Hanna
Sizemore
With the use of my TinyGrant I was able to purchase materials that have helped me
work with anxious children and children that need more help identifying feelings and
linking those feelings to situations. It was recommended to purchase the book “Worried
No More” by Aureen Wagner and now I'm recommending it to my colleges. It has great
suggestions and has been very useful. Thank you for offering this program.
Angie Nelson, Ed.S.
School Psychologist
This year, I used the $150 Tiny Grant to buy winter clothing for three students, all of
whom have a substantial economic need. One student, whom I bought a jacket for, had
all of his clothing destroyed when raw sewage leaked into the basement where the
family's winter clothing was stored. This family has nine children and is currently without
consistent shelter. The Tiny Grant inspired impromptu smiles, hugs and much
appreciation from these students and their families.
It also helps to forge stronger school-parent relationships and sheds positive light on the
discipline of school psychology.
Thanks much,
Julie Seligson
Shields
My name is Jessica Junglas and I am an intern school psychologist in the Cleveland
Municipal School District (Cleveland, OH) this year. I received a NASP TinyGrant to
purchase resources for the Intervention Based Assistance teams that I am a part of. I am
currently a member of the IBA team in two different K-8 buildings. We have used the
resources purchased with the TinyGrant funds to help us implement scientifically-based
intervention plans and to implement more systems-level (rather than individual-child
level) interventions. For example, we have started a peer-tutoring program in a third
grade to target reading fluency and we have implemented a class-wide behavior plan in
a first grade homeroom; these plans came out of what began as referrals to the team for
individual children. I am also planning on running at least one social skills group (using
the Tough Kid Social Skills program) in the elementary building where I work! ll be
starting to work in April. The resources we purchased with the TinyGrant funds have
been invaluable and will be useful to intervention teams far into the future. Thank you
for this opportunity!
Sincerely,
Jessica
Junglas
Thank you for awarding Steller Secondary School (Anchorage, Alaska) a TinyGrant.
Our student's benefited by receiving basic needs such as hats,scarves, etc. I wound up
getting an additional discount through REI, an outdoor recreation clothing store, which
allowed the grant monies to stretch further. The students we selected were in grades 711, identified by counselors and teachers as students "in need," were distributed with a
degree of
confidentiality, and in a discrete manner. I have heard through the teachers that every
item was appreciated, and have seen several of the items being worn by students.
Thank you
Erik Viste
School
Psychologist
There are three very happy children in one of the small upstate New York rural schools
in which I provide school psychology services. They had never been in a real shoe store,
and had never been properly fitted for shoes. Each of the three children in this family
(5,7,9 years of age) desperately needed snow boots that fit their feet. My special
education chairperson and the special education teacher who works with these children
took them out to a good shoe store and had them fitted for the boots of their
dreams. The children and parents were so delighted and thankful. They were then
treated to hot chocolate on one of those cold blustery days in upstate New York in
November (that treat we owe to the wonderful teacher and special education director).
Thank you to all who contribute to this fund. You made 8 people smile.
Steve Hull