Article archive / December 1, 2011
Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 4. Source pages: 1, 4, 5.
The 31st Annual Louisiana School Psychological Association Conference was held in Lafayette November 2 – 4, 2011.
Dr. Kevin Jones, President of the association, noted to the Times that this year’s turnout for the conference was very strong. “Attendance was very high – 231,” he said. “Among these, 134 were practicing school psychologists and trainers, 57 students, and 40 others. We were especially pleased with the high number of students from various institutions – Tulane University, Nicholls State University, LSU Shreveport, LSU Baton Rouge, and the LAS*PIC internship program in New Orleans.” Dr. Jones explained that highlights of this year’s program included two of the nation’s best speakers on behavioral disorders in childhood and adolescence, Dr. Patrick Friman, ABPP, Director of Boys Town Center for Behavioral Health, and Dr. William Jenson, University of Utah. The Keynote address was delivered by Dr. Kathleen Minke, past president of the National Association of School Psychologists.
Dr. Jones explained that the Keynote address by Dr. Minke was an important event because the national association’s Professional Practice Model was introduced.
“Certainly, the most important highlight was the Awards Luncheon,” Dr. Jones said, “which gave me the opportunity to present the School Psychologist of the Year award to Mr. Stephen Arnold [Iberia Parish School Board].”
Mr. Arnold also won Member of the Year. “It was the first time anyone could remember two awards going to the same person, but Stephen is made from a different fabric, and is the most tireless and dedicated professional I have ever met,” Dr. Jones remarked.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Dr. Thomas Fagan at the University of Memphis. Dr. Fagan “… has provided critical support to Louisiana’s school psychologists and our organization for the past 30 years,” said Jones.
Ms. Shereen Naser, doctoral candidate at Tulane University, received the Will Bergeron Award. Jones noted that her faculty mentor, Dr. Stacy Overstreet, nominated Ms. Naser. “This award is granted to the state’s most outstanding student,” Jones said, “and it was a privilege to honor Ms. Naser’s exceptional accomplishments.”
The theme of this year’s conference was On Higher Ground. Dr. Jones explained that the theme communicates the state’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. “We had several presentations that crossed traditional disciplinary boundaries, both within the school setting and across school-community settings. Several state department initiatives were presented, including the Coordinated Systems of Care [by Jody Levison-Johnson] and Comprehensive Learning Supports [by Tavia Crumpler].” Among the many excellent presentations, this year’s program included topics from presenters across the state.
Dr. Alisa Lowery from LSU Health Sciences Center presented “Evidence Based Practices in the Schools: Treatment of Autism.”
Dr. Alan Coulter, also from LSU Health Sciences Center, presented a “provocative session” titled “Collaboration in Bulletin 1508/RTI: Is It Collegial or Conspiratorial?”
Dr. Debra Duhe from the State Department of Education, Dr. George Hebert from LSU Health Sciences Center, and Drs. Michael Welch and Kevin Jones from Louisiana State University, along with Rachel Magee from the Rapides Parish School Board, presented “Value Added Portfolios (VAP): A Case Study Approach to Documenting Effective School Psychological Services.”
Dr. Rebecca Nolan from LSU Shreveport presented, “Common Medications Prescribed for School-Age youngsters Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Depression.” Janice Crump from LAS*PIC (Louisiana School Psychology Internship Consortium) presented “The Triad of Bully, Victim, and Bystander: Identifying Components that Support Harmful Behaviors.”
Dr. Robert Wright, Louisiana State University at Alexandria presented “Behavior Planning for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Competing Pathways Model for Functional Behavior Assessment and Interventions for a Successful Classroom.”
Dr. Stacy Overstreet, from Tulane University, and Dr. Bonnie Nastasi, also from Tulane, presented, “Childhood Trauma.”
Following the Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Dr. Diana Jones from the Louisiana Department of Education presented “RTI in Louisiana: Concerns and Updates.”
Brittany Bates, LAS*PIC, presented “Alternative Education and Transitioning: How Can They Coincide?” Jeffery Chenier, LAS*PIC, offered “Methods of Evaluating Single-Case Design Research (Graphs).”
Current President of association, Dr. Kevin Jones, told the Times that he is enjoying his role as president. “I very much appreciate the role of this organization and the hard work of our Executive Council,” he noted.
“The term is a three-year commitment, and I actually enjoyed being President a little more than President- Elect, due to the increased opportunity to work on structural changes to the organization, such as our lobbying efforts, financial resources, and elements of the very successful annual convention.”
“As Past-President,” he explained, “I will devote most of my time to advancing a model of professional accountability, value added assessment, that is reasonable, proactive, and permanent.”
He said, “In the future, I would very much like to see greater collaboration and shared decision making between community and school-based mental health agents. Recent changes in state laws and policy initiatives have created the opportunity for a transformation in service delivery. Louisiana is large enough to be a national model of systems reform, and small enough to actually do it.”
“One of my colleagues, in fact, has already proposed the conference theme for next year,” Dr. Jones said.
“’Right place. Right time. Right state.’”
Dr. Alan Coulter (L), LSU Health Sciences Center, talks with Dr. Thomas Fagan, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for his support to LA school psychologists. (Photo courtesy LSPA.) Dr. Kevin Jones, President of the Louisiana School Psychological Association speaks to attendees at the recent conference held in Lafayette. Dr. Jones is Director of the School Psychology program at LSUS. _________________________________________________________________ The Louisiana School Psychological Association’s “Parade of Posters.” Researchers from Tulane, LSUS, Nicholls State, LSU Health Sciences Center, and LAS*PIC, presented a host of interesting studies for attendees. (Photo courtesy LSPA.)
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