Counselors From Grand Forks Public Schools Amy Geinert, Bernie Houdek, and Melissa Mickelson Moving Forward: A Process of Implementing the ASCA 3.0 Model

Grand Forks Public Schools K-12 Comprehensive Counseling Program *No District Director of Counseling Services *12 Elementary Schools - 8 Counselors (2 Part-time) *4 Middle Schools - 6 Counselors (1 shared with Elementary and 1 Part-time) *3 High Schools - 9 Counselors (1 Part-time) *2 Career Educators and 2 Career Facilitators (High School) *2 Counseling Secretaries (High School)

Motivate and Encourage 1. How did we get started? 2. Year One Review 3. Year Two Progress 4. Sustainability (support) 5. Hurdles & Challenges Goals For Today!

How did we get started? *Study and Review Process – requirement of GFPS *Steering Committee formed by district (co-chairs) *Strategic Planning Committee (Savvy 7 +1) created by counselors – volunteer basis in summer of 2012 *ASCA conference in 2012, info on ASCA 3.0 Model *”Top Ten list” from counselors

Why the ASCA 3.0 Model? ★ WHY … do you want to implement the program? ★ WHY … is it important? ★ How … are students different as a result of the school counseling program?

ASCA National Model Where we started! FoundationManagementDeliveryAccountability Garner Support Collaborate/ Admin. Annual Agreement Develop Counselor Evaluation Tool Develop Beliefs/Vision Use of Time Assessments Data Analysis Mission Statement District & Schools Calendaring Yearly/Monthly/Weekly Program Results APRIL CELEBRATION Program Goals District & Schools Student/Counselor Ratio/Assignments Make Decisions For Future Improvements SMART Goals (Counselor Goals) Use of Data - SchoolProfiles Student Standards & Competencies Develop Goals and Action Plans Counselor Competencies Advisory Council Ethical Standards Branding/ Marketing Public Relations

Going to a New Method of Operation ★ Implementation of the model is not just a program … it’s a way of doing business! ★ It’s a fluid … decision making process ★ Continuous program evaluation and improvement

Know the Model ★ What are the components? ★ What do we currently have? ★ What do we need? ★ What results do we want?

Garner Support What supports are needed? EVERYONE! ★ Superintendent / School Board ★ Other key Central Office Personnel ★ Local School Administration ★ Counselors within the district/department ★ Faculty & Staff ★ Students, Parents, & Community

Be the Tortoise! ★ Slow & steady wins the race ★ Less is more! ★ You have one chance to get it right ★ Many hands make light work ★ “STICK WITH US … It will be PAINLESS!”

Have your ducks in a row! ★ We must be sure of the path we’re on ★ Identify obstacles & hazards before they’re a problem ★ If this means delaying … SO BE IT! ★ Reconvene, Reflect & Regroup

5 Steps To A Strategic Plan How Are We Doing? According to Forbes … 1. Determine where you are. 2. Identify what’s important 3. Define what you must achieve 4. Determine who is accountable 5. Review. Review. Review. (It’s never over.)

1. Choose our 4 Main Goals (Easy … ASCA’s 4 Program Components) 2. Review & Learn the ASCA National 3.0 Model Compare it to our existing GF Counseling Program 3. Assess our strengths and weaknesses by using the Program Audit 4. Under each MAIN GOAL …Identify gaps & ASCA “Criteria” needed 5. Under each CRITERIA – Brainstorm ideas and activities 6.Sort it all out: Organize, Prioritize, and Set a TIMELINE of activities Strategic Plan – Getting Started(2012 – 2013)

ASCA Model 3.0 Program Components ◆ Foundation ◆ Management ◆ Delivery ◆ Accountability

ASCA Graphic … Another Look ☺

Year 1 … Checklist ❑ Semester 1: ❑ Beliefs Statements ❑ Vision Statement ❑ Mission Statements ❑ Training - ASCA ❑ Training on Use of Data ❑ Program – SMART Goals ❑ Closing the Gap Action Plans ❑ Use-Of-Time Consensus ❑ Annual Agreement ❑ Semester 2: ❑ Branding & Marketing ❑ Calendaring ❑ Advisory Council ❑ School Data Profile ❑ Use of Time Assessments & Program Assessment ❑ Crosswalking K-12 Stud. Standards/Competencies ❑ Counselor Competencies & Evaluation

Year 2 … Checklist ❑ Semester 1: ❑ Use-Of-Time and Program Assessment ❑ SMART Goals & Interventions ❑ Annual Agreement ❑ ASCA Presenter – Work on Use of Data ❑ Closing the Gap Action Plans ❑ Crosswalking K-12 Student Standards/Competencies ❑ Marketing/Branding - Website ❑ Semester 2: ❑ Crosswalking K-12 Stud. Standards/Competencies ❑ Branding & Marketing ❑ Calendaring ❑ Advisory Council ❑ Counselor Competencies & Evaluation ❑ Use-Of-Time Assessment & Program Assessment ❑ School Data Profile

Summer Work Preparing for Year 2 ▪Developed a “Strategic Plan for Year 2 ▪Revised the “Crisis Response Manual” ▪Developed a Brochure for the GF Counseling Program ▪Attended the ASCA National Conference – Philadelphia ▪Scheduled our ASCA Trainer for ▪Compiled the results of our Program Assessment ▪Reviewed the Annual Agreement & Counselor Performance Appraisal Form ▪Set up committees for the coming year ▪Updated Googledocs and Firstclass for Counselors

The Million $ Question…. What do we need from the administrative group at the district level to keep the process moving smoothly?

Garnering Support Continued (Year 2) 1)All counselors should be delivering core curriculum to ALL students. 2)Based on our School Profiles (data collection) generated last year, each counselor will be working on at least one “closing the gap” goal this year. They will also collect data once the goal is implemented. Results reports will be written and given to their principal upon completion. These goals are focused around achievement, attendance or behavior and are data driven. 3)Each counselor will complete an annual agreement with their principal in the first 2 months which will include their goal/s. 4)GFPS Counselors will be able to show you how they make a difference with students through sharing their results reports!

1.Continued Funding 1.Work Day Release with Principal/District Level Support 1.Sharing Expectations with Principals/Counselors

Sustainability *principal support *updating/informing principals and head admins *providing “just in time” training for principals *expectation – reading, must produce work, work days *strategic planning committee – summer work *committees (include all)

Hurdles/challenges *Finding time *Commitment for change (new way of thinking, change) *Administrator support (varies) *Money *Technology *Team building *Individual accountability *Data collection *No director

A special thank you to … All GFPS Counselors Middle School Sharon BranvoldScott Bommersbach Pam R. CarlsonBill Chase Bernie HoudekKim Kuhle High School Kim BaileyNick CichyGeoff Gaukler Amy Geinert Jen LubinskiDenise McCarty Melissa MickelsonMarilyn Ripplinger Carol Torgerson Elementary Ginny BlakeSharon Branvold Diane JonesJill Landry Denise LoftusLeigh McNichols Lori RingTana Thorfinnson

Questions?

Thank You! Amy Geinert Bernie Houdek (701) (701) Melissa Mickelson (701)