11/16/2021 THIS MEETING IS POSTPONED – STAY TUNED FOR A NEW DATE School Psychologists as Advocates: How to use Our Voices as Effective Change-Makers

Posted: November 11, 2021

Date: 11-19-2021

Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: Zoom

Topic: School Psychologists as Advocates: How to use Our Voices as Effective Change-Makers

Presenter: Julia E. Szarko, PhD, NCSP

Presenter Bio:

Julia E. Szarko, PhD, NCSP, is currently a school psychologist in the Central Bucks School District in Doylestown, PA. Julia completed an MS and PhD in School Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University in 1996 and 2000, respectively. She has a background in testing performance and behaviors of children with autism and related developmental disabilities, and she has extensive experience in student and system level intervention and support.

Julia joined Central Bucks School District in 2005 after spending 8 years practicing as a school psychologist in Virginia. As a 16-year veteran of Central Bucks School District, Julia has risen to be a leader in the school psychology department and within her schools. Overall, Julia’s leadership has been evident through her work in MTSS, suicide prevention and intervention, early intervention, gifted education, staff development, support, and advocacy as well as supervision of graduate students in school psychology.

Julia’s effectiveness as a leader is also evident at the state and national levels. Julia has served on the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania (ASPP) legislative board since 2007, including positions of Legislative Chair, President, Past President, Secretary, and organizer for the association’s annual member receptions at the NASP conventions. Her most recent work includes being actively involved in updating the PA State Certification as well as the evaluation rubric to mirror the 2020 NASP Practice Model. Additionally, on behalf of ASPP, she represented school psychologists expertise in school safety and mental health, through activities including working with State Senator Jay Costa’s office in supporting language for SB 997, legislation outlining ratios for school mental health professionals. At the national level, Julia is a Northeast Representative on NASP’s Government and Professional Relations Committee. She routinely participates in the NASP “Hill Day” in Washington, DC as an ASPP and NASP representative. Julia also facilitated the development of a Pennsylvania school psychologist “Hill Day” in conjunction with PSEA that took place in June 2019. Julia has also been actively involved in the collaborative drafting of legislative bills to address the school psychologist shortage and, most recently, the federal Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act of 2021.

In addition to her effectiveness as an advocate, Julia has received awards and honors in recognition of her dedication, service, and advocacy on behalf of students, families, and the profession of school psychology. She was named Pennsylvania School Psychologist of the Year in 2019. Additionally, in 2011, the National Association of Social Workers in Pennsylvania named her the Colleague of the Year, attesting to her strength as a collaborator. Most recently, she was recognized as the 2021 School Psychologist of the Year by the National Association of School Psychologists.

Program Description

During this workshop, attendees will learn the basics of grassroots advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels with specific application to School Psychology. The interactive workshop will provide background on the importance of advocacy, steps to influence outcomes and change, and key messaging to use when communicating with decision makers. Policy updates will also be provided related to state and federal initiatives that impact school psychologists.

Learning Objectives: Participants will:

1. Identify the basic components of grassroots advocacy

2. Understand the current legislative initiatives related to school psychology

3. Develop personal advocacy action steps



Julia E. Szarko, PhD, NCSP, is currently a school psychologist in the Central Bucks School District in Doylestown, PA. Julia completed an MS and PhD in School Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University in 1996 and 2000, respectively. She has a background in testing performance and behaviors of children with autism and related developmental disabilities, and she has extensive experience in student and system level intervention and support.

Julia joined Central Bucks School District in 2005 after spending 8 years practicing as a school psychologist in Virginia. As a 16-year veteran of Central Bucks School District, Julia has risen to be a leader in the school psychology department and within her schools. Overall, Julia’s leadership has been evident through her work in MTSS, suicide prevention and intervention, early intervention, gifted education, staff development, support, and advocacy as well as supervision of graduate students in school psychology.

Julia’s effectiveness as a leader is also evident at the state and national levels. Julia has served on the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania (ASPP) legislative board since 2007, including positions of Legislative Chair, President, Past President, Secretary, and organizer for the association’s annual member receptions at the NASP conventions. Her most recent work includes being actively involved in updating the PA State Certification as well as the evaluation rubric to mirror the 2020 NASP Practice Model. Additionally, on behalf of ASPP, she represented school psychologists expertise in school safety and mental health, through activities including working with State Senator Jay Costa’s office in supporting language for SB 997, legislation outlining ratios for school mental health professionals. At the national level, Julia is a Northeast Representative on NASP’s Government and Professional Relations Committee. She routinely participates in the NASP “Hill Day” in Washington, DC as an ASPP and NASP representative. Julia also facilitated the development of a Pennsylvania school psychologist “Hill Day” in conjunction with PSEA that took place in June 2019. Julia has also been actively involved in the collaborative drafting of legislative bills to address the school psychologist shortage and, most recently, the federal Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act of 2021.

In addition to her effectiveness as an advocate, Julia has received awards and honors in recognition of her dedication, service, and advocacy on behalf of students, families, and the profession of school psychology. She was named Pennsylvania School Psychologist of the Year in 2019. Additionally, in 2011, the National Association of Social Workers in Pennsylvania named her the Colleague of the Year, attesting to her strength as a collaborator. Most recently, she was recognized as the 2021 School Psychologist of the Year by the National Association of School Psychologists.

Program Description

During this workshop, attendees will learn the basics of grassroots advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels with specific application to School Psychology. The interactive workshop will provide background on the importance of advocacy, steps to influence outcomes and change, and key messaging to use when communicating with decision makers. Policy updates will also be provided related to state and federal initiatives that impact school psychologists.

Learning Objectives: Participants will:

1. Identify the basic components of grassroots advocacy

2. Understand the current legislative initiatives related to school psychology

3. Develop personal advocacy action steps

FEE: Members – Free ($75 yearly membership payable to DCASP), Guests – $25 payable at meeting. For Act 48 credits please register on WebReg/My Learning Plan. The fee for Act 48 credits is $15, which can only be paid online through WebReg/My Learning Plan.