Congratulations to New Jersey’s 2019 RAMP School:
Jefferson Township Middle School in Oak Ridge, NJ

This month's ASCA member highlight is Brian J. D'Ottavio, a school counselor at Delsea Regional High School in Franklinville, N.J.

Click here to read more!

Click here to read the April 2019 Issue of Counselor News: Student Substance Abuse

• President’s Letter: Substance Abuse Issues – Where to Start? by Mindy Hall

• Take the Lead on Alcohol Awareness Month By Rebecca Balaguer and Jessica Smedley

• The Opioid Epidemic By Richard Tench

• DEA’s Drug Prevention Education Programs By Cathleen Drew

• Beyond “Just Say No” By Molly Lotz, LCSW

• What Works: Substance Abuse Prevention By School Counselors Across the U.S.

Save the Date! The NJSCA Fall Conference is October 3 - 4 2019 at the Pines Manor in Edison, NJ.

Click here for the Call for Programs, to Learn how to become a conference sponsor, and to exhibit with us!

Guidance Counselor vs School Counselor - What is the difference between these two titles?
In the past, the title “guidance counselor” was used to describe counselors working in a school. Their role was primarily focused on "guiding" students to post-secondary education and scheduling. Their days were filled with tasks like sending out transcripts, writing letters of recommendation, etc... The title "school counselor" recognizes that counselors today address the needs of the whole student. They are proactive, data-informed leaders in the school community. Watch this video and learn more! about the difference in roles!

bit.ly/SchoolvsGuidanceCounselor

Are you looking for a school counseling job and not sure where to get started?
Check out our NJSCA Job Search Page!

Wth the increased emphasis on social-emotional learning, preventive services, and counseling geared toward classroom instruction, the role of the school counselor is changing. But how does that impact secondary school principals? Read more in “School Counselors and Principals.”

The ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies state that counselors "Develop a yearly professional development plan to ensure engagement in professional growth opportunities related to relevant professional standards and competencies and personal limitations" (B-PF 4.d).
Get started by reviewing School Counselor Professional Resources!

Click here to view NJ Open Houses

Click here to view PA Open Houses

Click here to view DE, DC, MD, NY, and VA Open Houses

The School Counselor intern guide and School Counselor Guide provide School Counselor interns, new School Counselors, counselor educator site supervisors, and school supervisors of School Counselors a resource document to help new staff become acclimated at a school site. 

The Documents Checklists for Supervisors lists recommended resources for school counselor interns and new school counselors. 

Mandy Savitz Romer, senior lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, shares misconceptions about the profession, and how the school counselor role should change to better support children.

Link to Podcast Episode

Gap Year Resources

Your @NJSCA County School Counselor organization is a resourceful connection in your local community!

Learn more ➡️ njsca.org/countypresidents

Hear 2019 School Counselor of the Year Brian Coleman’s acceptance speech at the awards gala.

Click here to read the 2019 ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies