NASP Advocacy Request

Over the next few months, NASP will be updating our federal policy platform and developing advocacy plans for the 119th Congress and the next presidential administration. Your input is crucial to these efforts.  NASP will continue our efforts to secure federal investments for public education and efforts to remedy the shortages in school psychology, but we want to know what which other school psychology and education related issues you want the federal government to focus on and what challenges you want them to address. 

Please complete this confidential survey to share your thoughts and I would be grateful if you could share this with other school psychologists, graduate students, and graduate educators in your state.  You can access the survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/7LimrquzqM

The deadline to respond is Friday, October 11th. 

School Psychologist Shortage highlighted by Channel 13 I Team

Recently Stephanie Grindley interviewed Erin Frazier, Lisa Backman, and Mary MacLennan about the shortage in Maine. Her report was shown on Fox 23 on Tuesday during the 10:00 PM news.

Here is a link to the report and the presentation:

https://wgme.com/news/i-team/barely-coping-northern-maine-faces-worst-school-psychologist-shortage-in-the-northeast

MASP Fall Workshop

Friday, November 1, 2024

Registration begins at 8:00 AM

Workshop begins at 8:30 AM

Morning Session

Bringing CBT Alive: Using Data, Case Conceptualization, and Creative Strategies

Providing psychological services to children and adolescents is more complex than knowing and applying techniques or strategies to an individual case. This is especially true when improving mental health and wellness. The key for clinicians in providing high-quality, evidence-based services is knowing when, for whom, and at what times to apply specific interventions or approaches. This model will explain how to use evaluation and test data to look beyond diagnosis to formulate a case conceptualization that drives evidence-based intervention using a “Funktional Assessment.” The presenter will review specific  interventions from a transdiagnostic treatment approach and discuss how to enhance buy-in through metaphor, pop culture, sports, superheroes, and improv. Participants will be able to discuss and actively work through a case example.

Afternoon Session

Pruning Unhealthy Media and Device Use Habits At The Roots

Over the past decade, media and device use (MDU) has surged, with U.S. smartphone ownership rising from 30% to 85% between 2011 and 2021. This increase has significantly impacted children and adolescents, negatively affecting responsibilities like schoolwork and socialization. Harm reduction strategies, such as those used for substance abuse, can be paired with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to address unhealthy MDU. Harm reduction focuses on reducing negative impacts without expecting complete elimination of the behavior. Understanding a student’s cognitive and executive functioning is crucial before setting behavior change goals, as reduced executive functioning can hinder decision-making. CBT addresses cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral factors, offering peer support and accountability. This workshop will provide an overview of unhealthy MDU and discuss specific CBT strategies that can be used to increase healthier digital relationships.

Presenters

Ray W. Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP, is a licensed psychologist and a certified school psychologist, a nationally certified school psychologist, and a nationally registered health service psychologist. His expertise encompasses both clinical and school psychology, with a board certification in behavioral and cognitive psychology. Operating an independent practice in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Dr. Christner also extends services across 39 states as an authorization holder of the APIT (Authorization to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology) and the TAP (Temporary Authorization to Practice). His professional services include psychotherapy, psychological/neuropsychological assessments, and consultative services, providing services to a diverse clientele ranging from children to adults across various psychological, developmental, behavioral, and educational continuums. An esteemed author and speaker, Dr. Christner has contributed extensively to his field through numerous publications and presentations. His book, Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Educational Settings: A Handbook for Practice (now in its 3rd edition), has been translated into Japanese, Korean, and Romanian. He is currently in production of a new psychological test, Christner Behavior and Adaptability System (C-BAAS), which will be published by Psychological Assessment Resources (PAR) in 2025. Additionally, Dr. Christner shares his insights as the cohost of the podcast Psyched to Practice and has garnered attention from prominent media outlets such as Today, Parents, Newsweek, Lifehacker, ABC, Fox, Special Education Connection, and Authority Magazine, to name a few.

Jessica L. Stewart, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the United States. Throughout her nearly 30 years in the field, Dr. Stewart has worked in intensive residential, group home, community mental health, and medical settings and has worked as a school psychologist for over 20 years. She currently maintains a private practice in Providence, Rhode Island, providing psychotherapy to adolescents, college students, and adults through the lifespan, with a particular focus on goal setting, identifying strengths and values, personal empowerment, and distress tolerance through transitional challenges. She specializes in anxiety, trauma recovery, depression, ADHD, executive functioning and self-regulation, and building emotional competency and resilience in youth. In addition to conducting neuropsychological and psychological evaluations, Dr. Stewart incorporates her expertise in cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) and case conceptualization into her work, consulting with local private and public schools to help inform intervention. Dr. Stewart is a recognized author and presents nationally and locally, including within volunteer work providing mental health resources and presentations for community organizations and as a mental health volunteer with the American Red Cross.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel, you must submit written notification to MASP at least 10 days in advance for a full refund. Cancellations with less than 10 days notice will receive a refund less the cost of food (typically $75) and a $25 processing fee. Please email your request to maineasp@gmail.com.

Schedule for the Day:

Registration: 8:00 AM

Am: 8:30 to 12:00 PM

Lunch: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Annual Meeting 12:30 PM

PM: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Pricing:

MASP member - In Person $200.00

MASP member - Virtual $175.00

Non-member - In Person $225.00

Non-member - Virtual $175.00

Student/Retirees - In Person $150.00

Student/Retirees - Virtual $125.00

MASP Fall Workshop 11-1-2024.pdf

Register

IMPORTANT UPDATE from DOE

Chapter 173 was signed by the Governor and became effective immediately in April of this year, changing some wording in MUSER: 

• Hearing Impairment has been changed to Hard of Hearing
• Emotional Disturbance has been changed to Emotional Disability. 

 

The following forms have been affected and can be found on the DOE website.  

• The IEP form can be found here: Special Services - IEP - 7.1.2024.pdf.  
• The Specific Learning Disability form here: Special Services - Specific Learning Disability Eligibility Form - 7.1.2024.pdf
• The updated Procedural Manual can be found here: PROCEDURAL MANUAL - 7.1.2024.pdf. 

Time for some rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation!

Enjoy summer in Maine!

USM Survey about the practice of School Psychology in Maine 

MaineSchoolPsychSurvey_Recruitmentemail.docx.pdf