HR0517 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0517 LRB102 20977 LAW 29877 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Children and youth learn best when they are healthy, supported, and receive an education that enables them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally; and

WHEREAS, Schools can more effectively ensure that all students are able to learn when they meet the needs of the whole child and provide integrated, multitiered supports; and

WHEREAS, Children's mental health is directly linked to their learning and development, and the learning environment provides an optimal context to promote good mental health through connectedness within the school and community; and

WHEREAS, Sound psychological principles are integral to instruction and learning, school safety, social and emotional development, prevention, early intervention, and support of culturally diverse student populations; and

WHEREAS, School psychology has more than 60 years of well established, widely recognized, and highly effective practices and standards that are clearly articulated in the Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychological Services by the National Association of School Psychologists; and

WHEREAS, School psychologists are specially trained to foster and deliver, in the school and community, a continuum of mental health services and academic supports that lower barriers to teaching and learning; and

WHEREAS, School psychologists help children thrive by nurturing their individual strengths across both personal and academic endeavors; and

WHEREAS, School psychologists are trained to assess student and school-based barriers to learning and individual strengths, utilize data-based decision-making, implement research-driven prevention and intervention strategies, and evaluate outcomes and improve accountability; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois should recognize the vital role that school psychologists play in the personal and academic development of our State's children; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare November 8 to November 12, 2021 as School Psychology Awareness Week in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Illinois School Psychologists Association with our sincere appreciation for their efforts.