Bill > S1784

This bill establishes program requirements for school counselor certification, clarifies the role and duties of school counselors, mandates professional development for them, and creates the position of School Counselor Liaison within the Department of Education (DOE). Specifically, it defines a school counselor as someone holding a New Jersey standard educational services certificate with a school counselor endorsement and working under its authority. The bill outlines the counselor's role in recognizing and responding to mental health needs, promoting social and emotional wellness, and designing comprehensive counseling programs to support student achievement. It expands the scope of school counseling services to include charter schools and renaissance school projects, detailing duties such as addressing academic, career, social, and emotional development, individual planning, classroom lessons, short-term counseling, referrals, collaboration with stakeholders, attending student-focused meetings, and data analysis. Furthermore, the bill requires the State Board of Education to establish professional development for school counselors, including training in mental health awareness, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, trauma-informed practices, cultural competency, the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports (NJTSS), social and emotional learning, and college and career readiness. It also mandates that school counseling programs at accredited universities incorporate the American School Counselor Association's national model or a state-approved alternative, along with training in social and emotional learning and postsecondary/career planning. Finally, the bill establishes a State School Counselor Liaison within the DOE, who will hold specific certifications and experience, to facilitate best practices, promote professional development, monitor relevant information, and conduct research related to school counseling and student mental health, reporting annually to the Governor and Legislature.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1784