The following is a press release from the North Carolina School Psychology Association
The North Carolina School Psychology Association (NCSPA), a non-profit professional organization that supports and advocates for school psychologists across North Carolina, announced today that it has selected Catherine Truitt, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, as the winner of the NCSPA Legislative Award for 2021.
This award is given by NCPSA to an individual who influences legislative and public policy decisions, but it is not necessarily given every year. The legislative award is especially reserved for recognition of an individual’s contributions and shows thanks for efforts on behalf of school psychologists in North Carolina.
Truitt’s support, recommendations and priorities helped address school psychology recruitment and retention efforts across the state. North Carolina school psychologists address the unique needs of students in schools so that they may thrive in and out of the classroom, at home, and in life. Her efforts supported school psychologists across North Carolina in moving toward a more comprehensive model of providing psychological services in all NC public schools to all school children.
“I am incredibly honored to be receiving this award,” Truitt said, “however, this wouldn’t be possible without the incredible team we have here at the agency. We know how important serving the whole child is to students’ growth both in and out of the classroom and school psychologists play a pivotal role in this daily. With more school psychologists available to serve students, they are better prepared to pursue success in the academic setting and beyond.”
NCSPA advocates to increase school psychological services for students by increasing the number of school psychologists in every school across North Carolina. As a result, eligible college students interested in becoming a NC school psychologist can apply now and before March 1, 2022 for loan forgiveness through the North Carolina Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS). NCSPA will continue to advocate for recruitment and retention of more NC School Psychologists to serve our students and their mental health needs. For more information about NCSPA, please see the webpage.
