What Government Policy Makers Need to Know About School-Based Counseling

Abstract

Rationale and processes for adopting or adapting a government or agency sponsored model for school-based counseling are presented. Essential elements for favorable conditions for expanding a government- or agency-based model for school-based counseling are identified. A case study of a more than 20-year initiative in one state in the USA for implementing a highly successful model for school-based school counseling is presented. Conclusions include: It was essential to have a written state model of school-based counseling that promoted common understanding of the work of school-based counselors across the state and local levels. It was essential for the State Department of Education to pay careful attention to fostering favorable conditions for the development and expansion of school-based school counseling, and it was essential for the State Department of Education to use program evaluation to identify the tangible benefits of school-based counseling to the public good in order to leverage political and fiscal support from the legislature.