Episode 54: Advocacy in Action: State Leaders Strengthening the School Counseling Profession

<img class=" wp-image-4702 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ep54_social_media_1080x0180.jpg" alt="" width="373" height="373" /> <p style="text-align: center">In this special live episode of I Hear You Say, recorded at the 2025 ASCA Annual Conference in Long Beach, Calif., host Leisl Moriarty, CMP, CAE, ASCA’s director of affiliate relations, brings together advocacy leaders from four state school counseling associations. Joining her are Amy Baltimore, Ed.D., board chair of the Tennessee School Counselor Association; Lauren Mendez, CEO of the Washington School Counselor Association; Ashley Seeklander, government relations chair for the South Dakota School Counselor Association; and Becky Lins of the Iowa School Counselor Association. Each leader shares how they first became involved in advocacy, the legislative challenges they’re navigating and the proactive initiatives shaping their states. They also highlight successful campaigns that have advanced and protected the school counseling profession. Throughout the conversation, the guests emphasize the importance of relationship-building with legislators, staying proactive rather than reactive and the vital role state associations play in creating community and providing resources for school counselors nationwide.</p> To view a full list of the school counselor associations (SCAs) please visit the following <a href="https://schoolcounselor.org/About-ASCA/State-Territory-Associations">link</a>. At the state level, ASCA supports <a href="https://schoolcounselor.org/About-ASCA/State-Territory-Associations">state school counselor associations </a>in developing effective and sustainable advocacy programs to advance state-specific issues affecting school counseling and K-12 education. School counselors are encouraged to actively participate with their state association as one way to increase their civic engagement. For more information on local advocacy efforts in your district and state, please contact your state association and get involved.

<a href="https://schoolcounselor.org/About-ASCA/Legislative-Issues">https://schoolcounselor.org/About-ASCA/Legislative-Issues</a>