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The NASP Children's Fund
Purpose
The NASP Children's Fund is a tax-exempt, non-profit, independent charity.
The Fund accepts and disburses monies for charitable purposes that are
consistent with the Fund's priorities. These include:
1. Advocating for the essential rights and welfare of all children and
youth;
2. Embracing individual and group differences in children and youth based
upon gender and diverse ethnic, cultural, language, and experiential backgrounds;
3. Promoting learning environments which facilitate optimal development;
and
4. Producing effective interventions that address both learning and social/emotional
issues that impede a child's success and happiness.
Structure
The Children's Fund is administered by a board of ten trustees elected
by NASP Delegates at Delegate Assembly that occurs in conjunction with
the NASP annual convention. Two representatives
are elected from each of four regions and two others are elected as at-large
members. Trustees serve staggered four-year terms.
For more information about the NASP Children's Fund, please consult the NASP Children's Fund Annual Report (PDF) or contact one of the current members of the Board
of Trustees listed below.
Donations and Membership
Anyone may donate to the Children's
Fund. The Fund accepts cash donations
and gifts of goods or services for their auction at the NASP annual convention.
NASP members may add a cash donation to their NASP membership application/renewal
form or send a check payable to the "NASP Children's Fund" to
NASP, 4340 East West Highway, Suite 402, Bethesda, MD 20814.
There has been some confusion in the past regarding how to become a member
of CF.
The easiest way to become a member is to send $10 to Judy Martin,
CF Treasurer, stating that you want to become a member. A donation alone
does not constitute membership in CF. The same can be done through the
NASP office as long as a statement of intent to become a member is included.
Board of Trustees
Northeast Region
Jeff McNish (New Hampshire) nisher@comcast.net
Mark Roth (Maine) mmroth1@verizon.net
Southeast Region
Delores Terry (Virginia) dterry1@comcast.net
Dixie Bryson (Arkansas) brysond@comway.afsc.k12.ar.us
Central Region
Juliette Madigan (Ohio) Julmadigan@aol.com
Judy Martin (Wisconsin) MARTIJUD@salem.k12.wi.us
West Region
Susan Freeman Compton Slfc1@aol.com
Joelene Goodover (Montana) Joelene_goodover@gfps.k12.mt.us
At-Large
Fulvia Franco (Utah) fulvia.franco@jordan.k12.ut.us
Joe Gerard (Alaska) jgerard@gci.net
Current Projects
Community Outreach
In 2002, during the Chicago Convention, the Children's Fund initiated
a project in Chicago to give something back to the community in which the
NASP convention takes place. With the cooperation of school psychologists
from Chicago, two schools were located and over 250 books were distributed
to preschool and primary level students. Each book is personalized
with the name of the first name of the student, two friends, the child's
teacher, school and principal. Board members and NASP leaders visit
the schools to hand out the books, and if possible spend time in the classrooms
reading and visiting with students.
The project was so successful that the Board decided to do the same thing in Toronto, Dallas, Atlanta, Anaheim, and New York City. The Board decided this year that funds in New Orleans would be directed towards a project that would have a lasting impact on the community. CF will be the lead sponsor for a playground build that will be conducted during the New Orleans Convention week in February 2008. The Board is excited to participate in this event with community leaders, NASP members, and the children and parents of the area designated for the build. Specific information will be communicated throughout the year via this website, the Communiqué, and the NASP listserv. Those wishing to make donations can do so via the link at the top of this page.
Youth Empowerment Mini-Grants
The Children's Fund continues to support student-initiated projects based
on the work of Peter Benson and the Search Institute. Youth Empowerment
Mini-Grants are designed to support student projects that promote asset
development.
Benson's research identified 40 "developmental assets"
embedded in relationships, supports, and values that youth experience in
their homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Youth who possess 30 or more
of these assets are highly likely to be successful and less at risk for
making bad decisions. On the other hand, a higher risk for difficulty
in life is associated with access to 10 or fewer assets. The Children's
Fund believes that young people are acutely aware of the strengths and
needs of their community but may not have the resources or encouragement
to effect change. The intent of the Mini-Grant Program is to empower
youth to build better communities by giving them the means to design
and implement ideas that will create access to assets. If you have
questions, contact Susan Freeman Compton. Click
on the links to read a brochure, see a list of the assets,
or download a copy of the application.
Tiny Grants for Kids
Tiny Grants provide small grants - up to $150 directly to NASP members
to help meet children's welfare, educational, or mental health needs.
Items that help meet basic needs of children at school are acceptable:
such things as clothing, eyeglasses, book bags, school supplies, etc. Mental
health Tiny Grants are intended to encourage school psychologists to enhance
their own capabilities to provide mental health services within their schools.
Acceptable purchases could include therapeutic video tapes and games, relaxation
tapes, classroom guidance materials, books for bibliotherapy, etc. To
learn more about Tiny Grants and to complete a brief online application,
click here. As long as funds are available
and your intent is within guidelines, you will receive an e-mail acknowledgement
within a day or two. That e-mail will explain a simple reimbursement procedure.
Service Project Support Available from NASP Children's Fund
The NASP Children's Fund encourages school psychologists and others to
apply for funding (up to $2,500) for service projects that directly benefit
children. Download the application (PDF) or contact Mark
Roth (Service Projects Chair) or any
Children's Fund Board member for more information. Proposals may be submitted at any time
although funding for accepted projects will depend on availability of funds
at the time of acceptance. Watch the Communiqué for articles from
recipients describing their projects. Please see the 2006-07 Annual
Report for last year's funded grants.
Children’s Fund Summary (2006-07 Overview)
In fiscal year 2006-07, NASP Children’s Fund allocated over $25,000 in the form of grants and donations to help school psychologists and other advocates help children. Although this was lower than last year’s amount of $37,000, the difference was the Katrina Relief efforts of $12,000.00 that were given out during the previous year. This year, Tiny grants which included basic needs grants and mental health grants totaled just over $12,000.00. Another success was the “I Like Me!”
project which provided books for students in two New York schools for the cost of $4,582. Other allocations included Service Projects, Mental Health Start Up, and Disaster Relief. In all, allocations to school psychologists and advocates within the school setting accounted for more than half of the Children’s Fund’s expenses.
During the annual convention in NYC four Board seats were voted on by the NASP Delegates. Juliette Madigan (C) was newly elected while retaining their seats were Judy Martin (C), Fulvia Franco (at-large),
and Joe Gerard (at-large). For information on the election and how
to become a candidate, please contact Joelene
Goodover, Nominations and Elections
Chair.
Katrina Relief Efforts
Hurricane Katrina efforts were a primary focus for a good part of last year. Through the dedicated efforts of Dixie Bryson (CF-SE region), who coordinated with regional leadership in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, CF was able to channel monies directly to communities in need. NASP provided the conduit through donation links on the web-site and CF was able to distribute all funds earmarked for Katrina victims to affected areas. In this manner CF was able to ensure, to the greatest degree possible, that funds were appropriately distributed. All funds were distributed.
This year CF is sponsoring a playground build and donations can be made through the website link. This is in recognition that continuing efforts are needed to assist the region so devastated by Katrina.
Continued information will be made available regarding this project in the next few months outlining it's progress.
Children's Fund will again be collecting teddy bears, or other stuffed animals, at this years convention. The animals are distributed to children who may have experienced difficulties and loss, as in the case of a hurricane or other storm. Past responses from the children and comminities have been very positive and the Board decided to reinstate this old tradition. Those wishing to donate can bring new condition stuffed animals to the CF booth in the exhibit hall in New Orleans.
Auction Fundraiser
The second largest expense area was the Children’s Fund auction. The old saying, ‘you have to spend money to make money’ is true. The auction, supported by AGS/Pearson Assessments, again provided a major funding source for CF activities. Although expenses were slightly higher this year in some areas, the bottom line was within the budgeted total for the auction. We want to thank AGS/Pearson Assessments for increasing their donation to $20,000.00. Their generosity and participation in the auction is greatly appreciated.
The auction continues to be a fundraising effort and a social activity connected to the NASP convention. It is a way for state associations and individuals to highlight products/works of art from their state or our profession. We encourage people who are making significant donations to please let the CF trustee’s know in advance so that it can be promoted and well publicized. The beautiful pieces of jewelry, pottery and artwork are always fantastic contributions. Tastes of Chicago, the south, and the east coast were again big hits with fellow sc hool psychologists. Autographed memorabilia and electronithe live auction, hosted for the second year in a row by NASP’s one and only Fred Provanzano. Thanks to all who made the auction a success!
Community Outreach Project
Children’s Fund would like to thank the NASP 5K participants for their generous donation to the I Like Me! project. Almost $2,500 was donated towards the personalized books given to students in two New York schools. It is great to see the students so excited about their name in print along with their friends’ names and teacher’s name. The teachers were also excited about the special activities that come in the teacher’s guides for each grade level.
The “I Like Me!” project was again successful and Board members and others were delighted at the children’s responses as they received and read through their books! Many positive remarks and thank you's from the children and school staff were received from each of the buildings visited in Brooklyn. Given the repeated success and enthusiasm generated by this project, CF and NASP will be looking to expand the concept on a greater scale at future conventions.
*The Children’s Fund Board has made significant changes in fund allocations the past few years and trustees continue to assess past, present, and future projects. Please feel free to share ideas and provide feedback to your regional representatives. Thanks again to all who have participated in CF and to all of the Trustees and volunteers who gave their time and support throughout the year. Finally, please consider becoming a member of the CF if you presently are not. Detailed information on how to become a member, activities of the Fund, contact information for Trustees, and grant information and application forms
can be found on the NASP website.