Illinois School Counselor Association
a state branch of the American School Counselor Association
a division of the Illinois Counseling Association
Kris Wheatley, LCPC, Past-President
Ray Piagentini, President-Elect
Christina K. Nolan, NCC, LCPC, President
Venisa Beasley-Green, President-Elect-Elect
Daniel Stasi, Executive Director
ISCA Annual Report
ICA Governing Council Meeting
November 13, 2008
Membership
Membership continues to grow in our association. As of November 4, 2008, our
Executive Director, Dan Stasi reported that we have a hearty 540 members and room for
many more. This is due in no small part to the ongoing outreach activities provided by
our leadership.
Conferences
ISCA leadership is actively engaged in preparing for the April 17, 2009 ISCA Annual
Conference to be held at Northeastern Illinois University. Jeff Edwards and Nan Giblin,
faculty at NEIU, have been instrumental in helping ISCA in this planning process. Ray
Piagentini, President-Elect, leads the conference planning committee. We are
anticipating over 500 conference attendees on April 17, 2009. In addition, ISCA has
responded to the growing need to provide professional development downstate. We are
hosting an ISCA conference on April 24, 2009 to meet our colleague’s needs. For more
information check out http://www.ilschoolcounselor.org/iscaspringconference.cfm
Strategic Plan
The Illinois School Counselor Association leadership has diligently worked on the
Strategic Plan for 2008-2011. Five goals have been identified to support and enhance the
role of the ‘professional school counselor’. The five goals are as follows: (a) Promote the
Identity of the Professional School Counselor, (b) Support Developmental School
Counseling (Illinois Developmental Model in conjunction with the ASCA National
Model, (c) Demonstrate Efficacy of School Counseling Programs & Practices, (d)
Facilitate Networking, Professional Development & Resources which Support &
Encourage Professional School Counselors, and (e) Target & Respond to Changing
Needs & Trends in the Communities We Serve. Each goal has specific action steps and a
timeline as to when the goals will be completed. Strategic Plan Attachment provides
details on how these goals will be addressed.
Sample of Initiatives Completed and Ongoing
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State Articulation Meetings – Amy Thompson was instrumental in coordinating a
statewide effort to have ISCA representatives present at the IACAC sponsored
State Articulation Meetings. This provided school counselors throughout the
state, an opportunity to be exposed to the value of membership in ISCA.
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Recertification – As of July, 2008 IL Type 73 certificate bearers are now required
to engage in professional development in order to renew their certificates. More
information available on the ISCA homepage www.ilschoolcounselor.org
Banner and Bookmarks – An official ISCA Banner has been approved, designed
and purchased. It has already been to many conferences and meetings because of
its easy carrying ability. Check it out at the ISCA booth. In addition, utilizing the
same design, bookmarks have been created for purchase.
Professional Development Task Force – Dr. Toni Tollerud is focusing efforts on
providing workshop and conference opportunities for the professional school
counselor
Advocacy – Maria McCabe continues her unflagging efforts in bringing the
mental health issues of school children in Illinois to the forefront of
consciousness. She is spearheading a data driven survey which will include
school counselor’s perceptions on services we provide, along with other school
service personnel providers. A panel of experts will be convened to study and
interpret the results of this survey. This will provide direction for Goal 5 – Target
& Respond to Changing Needs
Public Policy & Legislation – ISCA is determining the benefits of a personal
ISBE & legislative outreach in collaboration with IACAC for spring, 2009.
Leadership has been actively engaged this fall with networking and presenting. A
sample of meetings attended are:
o South Suburban Counselors Mtg.
o Lake County Chapter
o CPS/CE Collaborative
Respectfully Submitted,
Christina K. Nolan, NCC, LCPC
President, ISCA 2008-2009
November 4, 2009