January 30, 2025
Dear Michigan colleagues,
As we embark on landscape changes in public policy, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate MASP’s commitment to upholding school psychology best practices that align with ethical and legal considerations. NASP President, Dr. Peter Faustino, recently provided a letter to NASP members. As MASP president, I would like to echo many of Dr. Faustino’s and NASP’s sentiments in this letter to MASP members.
First, MASP remains committed to our purpose and vision that centers upon student mental health and best practices which ensure that students have access to safe and supportive schools. Members have reached out regarding concerns for students who are from minoritized and marginalized backgrounds, including the future for students who may be impacted by policies ranging from immigration to climate change, and from LGBTQ+ rights to gun violence prevention. Social justice is key to our profession and is a throughline in MASP’s vision and mission. As such, MASP is unwavering in our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in pursuit of this ideal. As school psychologists, it is our duty to provide the support and care that students need to thrive across all settings, including school, home, and the community, as well as throughout life.
As of late, President Trump has signed a number of executive orders and issued federal directives that will impact schools and communities in a multitude of ways. There are many unanswered questions regarding the full implications of these orders and how they will be implemented, and we expect to learn more details over time. We will share more information about any impact on the practice of school psychology in the state of Michigan. In the meantime, I encourage all MASP members to continue to engage with your MASP regional representatives regarding any concerns. Additionally, please visit NASP’s website to review their existing Position Statements, Resolutions, and Policy Platform. Please continue to utilize MASP’s website for resources, including those related to immigrant and refugee students and LGBTQ+ youth, and stay tuned for additional communications.
MASP is a nonpartisan organization. Just as we did throughout the first Trump administration and over the last four years under President Biden, MASP will continue to advocate for our professional and public policy priorities at the state level while offering additional support to region members. We believe that every student is entitled to a comprehensive, well-rounded public education that affirms and validates the diversity of their cultural and individual differences, fosters resilience, and facilitates well-being and positive academic and mental health outcomes. We will continue to advocate for policy and practice aligned with this core belief.
I encourage every MASP member who wishes to engage in individual advocacy efforts to use NASP’s Policy Playbook as a guide. I also recommend getting involved with local advocacy work through your regional representative and at the state level with MASP. A large part of MASP membership dues go toward Capitol Services, a lobbying firm, who continues to keep MASP abreast of any new legislative actions or policy that may impact schools, students, and school psychology services. I would also like to highlight how important it is to prioritize self-care while simultaneously engaging in any aspect of advocacy.
The work of school psychologists remains critical, and your membership makes this advocacy possible. Thank you for all you do and your continued support of MASP.
In solidarity,
Lauren Mangus
MASP President