Task Force Members:

Ovette Chapman, Jennifer Eilliot, Asheeki Elmore, Kristen Lilly, Shannon McCarthy, Dawn Molina, Shannon Morse, Jean Skiles, Marsha Spencer, Ryan Rodriguez, Jamie Timmerman

The AASP Fundraising Task Force was appointed in Spring 2024. The purpose of the task force is to identify and implement methods to generate increased funding to support AASP’s advocacy efforts. As our profession strives to fully implement the 2020 NASP Practice Model, a goal is to increase policymakers’ awareness of our profession and key priorities. However, doing so effectively, has required professional representation, which is a substantial expense to our operating budget. 

Recently, AASP has invested in contracting with a public policy liaison, Susie Cannata, to represent the association at the state-level. As a result, the AASP Board has gained seats at important meetings and garnered professional relationships and collaborations with state legislators, governor’s office staffers, Arizona State Board of Education and Department of Education staff, and leaders in other education associations. Susie Cannata keeps us informed about bills and policy changes that impact our work. These connections have provided policymakers with an awareness of the comprehensive role and functions of school psychologists using the NASP Practice Model as a frame of reference. It has also provided us with opportunities to provide valuable evidence-based contributions to public leaders and decisionmakers.  

In Spring 2024, AASP Members-at-Large were surveyed to gauge their support of the AASP Board’s advocacy involvement. Forty-nine members responded with 94% supporting or highly supporting AASP to engage in advocacy for the profession and for Arizona schools. 

 In order to maintain our representation with these key policymakers, the AASP Fundraising Task Force is involved in the following:

• Set an annual goal for fundraising to support advocacy efforts. This year’s goal is a minimum of $3,000.00.
• Increase AASP members' awareness of our advocacy work.
• Explore creative ways to raise funds directed to advocacy.