Reps. Ananich, Hovey-Wright, Haines, Liss, Brunner, Smiley, Nathan, Lane, Stapleton, Tlaib, Bauer, Lindberg, McCann, Yonker, Darany, Olson, Womack, Brown, Barnett, Constan, Denby, Geiss, Heise, Kandrevas, Knollenberg, Lori, Price, Segal and Slavens offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 151.

            A resolution to declare November 14-18, 2011, as School Psychologists Week in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Children have a natural desire and propensity to learn and the inalienable right to an education and it is imperative that society invests in education to adequately support the needs of children and youth; and  

Whereas, This year’s theme: "Every link matters. Make a connection" helps our students and school focus on creating positive connections within the school community, their academics, and their lives; and  

Whereas, Children's mental health is closely linked to their successful learning and development, including their ability to compete for good jobs when they reach adulthood. Schools must apply sound psychological principles to instruction and learning, cultivate children's intellectual, social, and emotional development, meet the needs of culturally diverse student populations and promote prevention and early intervention; and

Whereas, Schools must ensure a safe healthy learning environment for all children and be able to recognize and respond to their emotional and psychological needs, including those caused by personal or societal crises; and 

Whereas, Appropriate prevention and early intervention strategies and adequate support services minimize negative outcomes, such as academic failure, social and emotional difficulties, behavioral problems, bullying and school violence, mental health problems, suicide, and dropping out; and

Whereas, School psychologists are specially trained to help parents and educators identify and reduce risk factors, create effective caring schools, access helpful community resources, and implement research-driven prevention and intervention strategies to foster healthy child development and academic success; and

Whereas, School psychologists do important work delivering needed mental health services and academic support in the natural context of school where children are comfortable and familiar. It is appropriate to recognize the important vital role that school psychologists play in the personal and academic development of Michigan's children; and

Whereas, The Michigan Association of School Psychologists has lent their expertise to state policymakers on issues important to children and families such as parental involvement in education, the appropriate use of psychotropic medications, the prevention of bullying, and access to special education services; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Michigan House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare November 14-18, 2011, as School Psychologists Week in the state of Michigan. We urge all of our citizens to observe this occasion; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Association of School Psychologists.