The Arizona Association of School Psychologists (AASP) is seeking donations for our yearly silent auction and raffle during  the 56th Annual Conference on November 7th and 8th.  You can learn more about our organization by visiting our website www.aasp-az.org.  AASP is a nonprofit organization supported mainly by dues from members and the annual conference registration fees.  School psychologists work in public schools assisting students, teachers, and parents with the social/emotional health, learning and behavioral challenges children present in the classroom setting.  School psychologists recognize that meeting children’s behavioral health needs is a wise investment as prevention and earlier intervention are more cost effective than remediation, incarceration, or lost productivity.  School psychologists help students and their families’ access community resources as well as implement research-driven prevention and intervention strategies in the schools.

This year, the proceeds from the silent auction and raffle donations will help fund the AASP Mini-Grant Program for school psychologists working with students in Arizona.  The local AASP mini grants are designed to encourage school psychologists to provide social/emotional health services within their schools.  Grants can be used for therapeutic or educational curricula, resource books, or expenses for conducting workshops on behavioral health topics.  School psychologists may use funds to initiate or maintain support groups for students on campus, giving students direct access to a skilled and caring adult in their lives.  Funds may also be used to provide items to students that simply meet their basic needs – backpacks, glasses, toiletries, etc.  Additionally, excess funds not used for mini-grants will support efforts aligned with our strategic goals relating to advocacy.   

We are asking that your business or organization donate to AASP so that we can continue to expand the work our members are doing to address the mental health and educational needs of students in Arizona.  We are asking for gift baskets, gift cards, books, tickets to events, and/or merchandise which will be used in a silent auction or raffle during our fall conference.