The Counselor Connection

Start Strong

Advocate for Your School Counseling Program

The first weeks of school are a whirlwind of welcoming students, supporting families, and helping staff transition into a new academic year. While it is easy to get caught up in these immediate demands, this critical window is also your prime opportunity to advocate for your school counseling program. By proactively communicating your role, defining your program’s scope, and aligning your goals early, you build vital partnerships from day one. This clarity ensures educators, families, and administrators understand the measurable impact of school counseling and see you as an essential driver of student success. Don’t forget the CT Comprehensive School Counseling Framework!

Seven Ways to Get the Word Out Early (ASCA Aspect)

1. Present at a faculty meeting-Share school counseling program priorities and opportunities to collaborate with teachers.
2. Be part of school communications-Secure space in school newsletters or weekly emails so updates reach families through existing channels.
3. Create a visible program display-Use a bulletin board or other high-traffic area to highlight services, events and student supports.
4. Connect with parent groups-Attend an early PTSA meeting and discuss how families can partner with the school counseling program.
5. Update your webpage-Provide easy access to resources, career and college planning information, scholarships and family supports.
6. Share your annual calendar-Help education partners understand upcoming lessons, events and initiatives throughout the year.
7. Meet with your principal early-Schedule your annual administrator conference within the first 60 days to review goals, data and program priorities.

Why It Matters

Proactive advocacy helps build understanding, strengthen partnerships and ensure education partners recognize the full scope of the school counseling program’s impact.

Save the Date

College Goals: Navigating FAFSA & College Access Event

A statewide event designed to help counselors navigate FAFSA and college access with confidence.

• Date: November 3, 2026
• Register for the College Goals: Navigating FAFSA & College Access Event

Student Support Series: Professional Learning for Youth Mental and Behavioral Health

The Student Support Series is returning in two weeks! Our first webinar for 2026-2027 is:

Anxiety-Based School Avoidance: SPACE-Informed Strategies to Support Students and Strengthen Engagement

• Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
• Time: 9:00–10:30 a.m.
• Register for the Anxiety-Based School Avoidance webinar

CSDE Secondary Success Community of Practice Series, September 2026 Meeting

We invite you to join us for the launch of the 2026-2027 Secondary Success Community of Practice (SSCOP) series. These monthly meetings give participants—primarily secondary school educators, postsecondary readiness leads, school counselors, and workforce development staff—an opportunity to share expertise and best practices. Our primary focus areas include:

• Developing and expanding career pathways, including dual credit and industry-recognized credentials;
• Enhancing preparation and opportunities for postsecondary education through partnerships with businesses, industries, and higher education; and
• Creating social and emotional programs to help students acquire essential skills for future readiness

Throughout the year-long series, participants will hear from public school districts, institutions of higher education, workforce development boards, and others whose work aligns with our focus areas.

Join us on September 16, 2026, as we welcome CSDE’s Chief Performance Officer, Ajit Gopalakrishnan, and Renee Savoie, NAEP State Coordinator. During their presentation, “Postsecondary Readiness Measures – Data Update,” you will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about how data is collected, interpreted, and used to improve student outcomes.

Please feel free to share this invitation with your colleagues; all are welcome to attend.

• Date: September 16, 2026
• Register for the Webinar: CSDE Secondary Success Community of Practice Series, September 2026

Reminders

FAFSA Completion Graduation Requirement

Pursuant to sections 9 and 10 of Public Act 24-45, starting with the high school graduating class of 2027, school districts shall not permit a student to graduate from high school unless the student has completed the FAFSA, other institutional financial aid application for those without legal immigration status, or a waiver developed by the CSDE. This waiver can be completed by the parent/guardian or the student (if 18 or older or an emancipated minor). On and after March 15, a principal, school counselor, teacher, or other certified educator may complete such waiver on behalf of any student if they affirm that they have made a good faith effort to contact the parent/guardian or student on at least three (3) occasions about completing the FAFSA or other institutional aid form. Regardless of this graduation requirement, CSDE’s focus remains on increasing FAFSA completion rates. Below is the waiver in other languages: Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish.

Immigration Guidance

Guidance and Resources Pertaining to Immigration Activities—As the new school year begins, please see the memo about state guidance and resources pertaining to immigration activities.

Student Discipline

Effective July 1, 2026, Public Act 26-1 restricts the use of out-of-school suspension for students in preschool through second grade to situations where the student’s conduct on school grounds caused “serious physical harm”—a heightened standard from the prior threshold of mere “physical harm.” The Act also requires school districts to offer an alternative education opportunity for students between the ages of 16 and 18 who are expelled for the first or second time, provided the student complies with conditions established by the board of education; previously, this requirement only extended to students expelled for the first time. In addition, school districts must now notify parents of a student placed in physical restraint or seclusion on the same day it occurs.

Reminder Regarding State Statutory Requirements for School Discipline

What’s New

School Counselor Community of Practice (CoP)

Join colleagues, collaborate, exchange ideas, focus on evidence-based practice, and build collective capacity at the 2026-2027 School Counselor Community of Practice meetings.

• Meetings begin in October, held on Thursdays of every month from 1–2 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
• Dates: 10/15, 11/19, 12/17, 3/11, 4/8
• Meeting link coming soon

State of the Profession Summary Reports Released

Earlier this year, ASCA released the comprehensive 2025-26 State of the Profession report, offering a national snapshot of school counseling across roles and settings.

Mental Health Resources for Schools

Throughout September, schools will receive a “Mental Health Resources for Schools” kit with information and resources to support your work, your students, and families. Keep an eye out for the bag!

School Mental Health Webpage

I am excited to share that the CSDE has a new School Mental Health webpage.

Suicide Prevention Month

September is also Suicide Prevention Month. Prevent Suicide CT, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and SAMHSA are all great resources for materials on promotion and prevention!

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI): CONNECT IV

CONNECT IV is continuing to recruit new schools through April 2026. Is your school or district looking to enhance mental health programming? CONNECT IV gives schools and districts no-cost tools to enhance their school mental health services through:

• Connection to community mental health services and other districts working towards similar goals
• Training on evidence-based practices, trauma, and behavioral health for the whole school community
• A SHAPE needs assessment, screening tools, and ongoing data analysis with CHDI staff
• Funding incentives based on each school or district’s level of participation

Think CONNECT IV could be a good fit for your school? Click the link to learn more and contact CHDI.