Legislative Action Alert - Urge Representatives to Sign the Langevin Letter Requesting ESSCP Funding

 

Urge Representatives to Sign the Langevin Letter Requesting ESSCP Funding One of ASCA’s priority issues is increased funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP), which is the only federal program that provides school districts with the resources to provide comprehensive school counseling services. Adequate access to school counseling services is proven to help improve students' academic achievement and school safety. ASCA took the lead in urging Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) to once again distribute a “Dear Colleague” letter to all the members of the House of Representatives urging his colleagues to sign a letter requesting the House Appropriations Committee to provide $75 million for this essential program in fiscal year (FY) 2008. By funding the ESSCP program at $75 million, monies will be made available to both elementary and secondary schools to provide comprehensive school counseling services. This is due to ESSCP's statuary funding trigger, secondary schools (i.e., middle and high) are not eligible to participate in the program until total funding exceeds $40 million. In fiscal year 2007, Congress appropriated $34.65 million for ESSCP. This year, the president's budget again calls for the elimination of all funding for the ESSCP. Therefore, it is critical to show congressional support for the ESSCP by having as many representatives as possible sign the Langevin letter. ACTION NEEDED Call your representative and urge him/her to show support for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP) by signing onto the Langevin Dear Colleague Letter, which requests the House Appropriations Committee to provide $75 million for this essential program in fiscal year 2008. What should you say? When you call your congressional office tell them your name and where you are from – they may ask you for your name and number. Since you're one of their constituents, they are very interested in your call. Then ask to speak with the education legislative assistant because you want the congressman/woman to sign on to the Dear Colleague letter being circulated by Rep. Jim Langevin requesting that the House Appropriations Committee provide $75 million in funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program in FY 2008. If congressional staff have any further questions, they can contact Amy Judge in Rep. Langevin's office at (202) 225-2735. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact ASCA’s government relations team of Ellen Fern or Krista Heckler. PLEASE DO THIS TODAY! DEADLINE FOR SIGNATURES IS TUESDAY, MARCH 13. American School Counselor Association email: ascaaspects@schoolcounselor.org web: http://www.schoolcounselor.org