*Legislative Session*
The 2017 session has officially begun and the committee is working hard to track, follow, and engage with bills relating to students, families, educators, mental health, etc.
The MSPA Legislative Committee works year round on:
~Grass roots advocacy to promote school psychology
~Making connections with legislators across the state
~Monitoring bills that impact all aspects of education
To learn more information about getting involved with the MSPA Legislative Committee please contact the committee chair, Shannon Cassidy directly! Legislative@mspaonline.org
Grassroots Advocacy Tips!
Before sitting down to talk with or write to your legislator be sure to:
Gather the facts on the issues you want the legislator to support.
It is often a game on numbers for legislators so prepare statistics and data that show how they can impact a large group within their district.
Gather information to help the legislator connect to the issue.
By putting names and stories to the data regarding your issue the legislator will be better able to make a connection the concern.
Customize your message to the legislator.
When you review your legislators biography online it gives you the opportunity to learn things about them that you can connect with on a person level or relate to yourself.
Provide the legislator with information so they value your vote.
If you tell your legislator that you affiliate with the same party (if it is true), that you are a constituent either by where you live or work, how many people in your home vote in their district, and your job title as well as work location it will give them incentive to hear your perspective.
Connecting with your Legislators!
Find out who your legislators are.
Visit MDelect.net to learn who your legislators are based on where you live and work.
View NASPs tips to communicate with legislators.
Visit NASP Advocacy to read their tips on engaging in effective communication with your legislators.
Know the legislative timeline.
September - December: get your legislators attention during the fall months when they are not in session and as they are starting to prep for the upcoming sessions. Begin to build your relationship during this time so that they know who you are.
January - March: During the session legislators are very busy and not as easy to contact so keep correspondence during this time to highlight important issues that are being discussed,
Educate your legislators on school psychology.
By sharing what the role of a school psychologist is with your legislators connections can be made on how we as a profession can support legal issues within education.
Bill Monitoring!
When the 2017 Legislative Session begins the committee will be actively monitoring bills pertaining to education, mental health, and children & families. As action is taken the information will be noted below. If you would like more information about the bill monitoring process and our outreach to legislators please contact the committee's Advocacy Liaison, Audrey Potter, at advocacy@mspaonline.org.
To learn more about bills go to http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/ and search for the appropriate bill number.
