[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 202 (Friday, November 19, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8760-S8761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

 SENATE RESOLUTION 459--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE 
  WEEK BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER 8, 2021, AS ``NATIONAL SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY 
                                 WEEK''

  Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Ms. Smith) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 459

       Whereas all children and youth learn best when they are 
     healthy, supported, and receive an education that meets their 
     individual needs;
       Whereas schools can more effectively ensure that all 
     students are ready and able to learn if schools meet all the 
     needs of each student;
       Whereas learning and development are directly linked to the 
     mental health of children, and a supportive learning 
     environment is an optimal place to promote mental health;
       Whereas sound psychological principles are critical to 
     proper instruction and learning, social and emotional 
     development, prevention and early intervention, and support 
     for a culturally diverse student population;
       Whereas school psychologists are specially trained to 
     deliver mental health services and academic support that 
     lower barriers to learning and allow teachers to teach more 
     effectively;
       Whereas school psychologists facilitate collaboration that 
     helps parents and educators to identify and reduce risk 
     factors, promote protective factors, create safe schools, and 
     access community resources;
       Whereas school psychologists are trained to assess barriers 
     to learning, utilize data-based decisionmaking, implement 
     research-driven prevention and intervention strategies, 
     evaluate outcomes, and improve accountability;
       Whereas State educational agencies and other State entities 
     credential more than 35,000 school psychologists who practice 
     in schools in the United States as key professionals that 
     promote the learning and mental health of all children;
       Whereas the National Association of School Psychologists 
     establishes and maintains high standards for training, 
     practice, and school psychologist credentialing, in 
     collaboration with organizations such as the American 
     Psychological Association, that promote effective and ethical 
     services by school psychologists to children, families, and 
     schools;
       Whereas the National Association of School Psychologists 
     has a Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School 
     Psychological Services that promotes standards for the 
     consistent delivery of school psychological services to all 
     students in need;
       Whereas the people of the United States should recognize 
     the vital role school psychologists play in the personal and 
     academic development of the Nation's children; and

[[Page S8761]]

       Whereas the week beginning on November 8, 2021, would be an 
     appropriate week to designate as National School Psychology 
     Week: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of National School Psychology 
     Week;
       (2) honors and recognizes the contributions of school 
     psychologists to the success of students in schools across 
     the United States; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that 
     promote awareness of the vital role school psychologists play 
     in schools, in the community, and in helping students develop 
     into successful and productive members of society.
  Mr. PADILLA, Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the 
National School Psychology Week, which I introduced today.
  Children and youth learn best when they are healthy and supported, 
physically and mentally. Learning and development are linked to the 
mental health of children, and a supportive learning environment is an 
optimal place to also promote mental health, social and emotional 
development, and prevention and early intervention.
  Our school psychologists are able to deliver mental health services 
that lower barriers to learning, identify and reduce risk factors for 
mental illness, and create safer school environments for our children.
  I am proud to recognize the vital role school psychologists play in 
the personal and academic development of our children by designating 
the week beginning on November 8, 2021 as ``National School Psychology 
Week.''
  School psychologists and other mental health professionals play a 
critical role in helping students develop into successful and 
productive members of society. They can empower children to grow their 
social skills, empathy, and compassion for others, as well as problem 
solving, goal setting, and study skills.
  Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the student mental health crisis 
has only intensified and further highlighted the need for comprehensive 
mental and behavioral health supports and social-emotional learning. 
School psychologists can provide important mental health services, 
including counseling, suicide risk assessment and intervention, 
behavior management, and threat assessment and interventions. We need 
to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that 
strengthen connections between home, school, and the community
  I want to thank Representatives Fitzpatrick, Panetta, Katko, and Chu 
for introducing this bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join 
us in support of this resolution.

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