New Hampshire Association of School Psychologists Blog - In The News

New resource for Members Only: 2026 NH Legislative Activities

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 19:15:50 GMT

NHASP has a new resource to help members keep track of current state legislative activities which have direct bearing on the education and/or well-being of children. This resource primarily represents the work of our Chair for Government & Professional Relations, Emily Russell. If you would like to reach out and thank Emily for her efforts, you can find her email address in the Member Directory!

The spreadsheet linked below contains information including bill numbers and active hyperlinks, docket status, committee status, and voting results. It also contains instructions for how to advocate regarding legislation in various ways, if you are inclined to do so. The spreadsheet can be found in the Members Only section of our website here.

Please note that as an organization, NHASP does not take positions to endorse or oppose legislation. Instead, we hope that this resource helps you to amplify your voice as an advocate for issues that you feel passionate about.

Thanks for all you do on behalf of children!

NHASP Live Webinar with Dr. Tovah Klein (FREE to our Members): Lessons from her book Raising Resilience

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 03:12:27 GMT

NHASP Live Webinar with Dr. Tovah Klein

(FREE to our Members)

Wednesday February 11, 2026

11:30-12:30

Lessons from her book Raising Resilience

An introduction to these valuable ideas for fostering resilience in children, for anyone who cares for children

Continuing Education Credits

1.0 CPD hour is available for this event!

NHASP is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer professional development for school psychologists and other professionals. NHASP maintains responsibility for the program. Certificates of Attendance will be provided following completion of the event. A total of 1.0 CPD hour will be awarded for this event. This hour is accepted towards the NCSP and other professional credentials.

A Zoom link will be provided to registrants in advance.

Register Here!

Event Description

Presenter: Dr. Tovah P. Klein, Director of the Barnard College Toddler Center and author of Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty (2024)

Whether it’s national or global events affecting our sense of safety or stressors in our day-to-day lives, we are constantly confronted with situations that threaten the wellbeing of our children. Thankfully, there is good news: we can mitigate the effect of such rampant uncertainty by guiding our children to manage adversity and become more resilient. The key is parental involvement. Developmental psychologist Dr. Klein will share a five-point plan to guide children to become resourceful, adaptive, and able to grow and flourish now and in the future. Drawing on research on trauma and its impact on emotional and intellectual development, including her own findings, Dr. Klein offers a lifeline for every family contending with life’s many stresses and traumas—from the most devastating to the most commonplace, including peer conflicts, divorce, moving, academic struggles, and larger national events. This session will support participants with practical guidance for instilling in children the emotional intelligence, cognitive flexibility, and social know-how they need to manage life’s challenges and create a lasting capacity for meaningful, happy lives.

After an introduction to the main ideas of her book, this session will feature a Question & Answer session with Dr. Klein. And, three copies of her book Raising Resilience will be raffled off after the webinar, with all participants eligible to win.

Learning Objectives

Participants will identify a variety of possible stressors which can affect the wellbeing of children in our modern world.
Participants will identify the set of inner resources which children can develop to enhance their resilience to adverse experiences.
Participants will discuss ways to support children's parents with building these resources in real-world contexts.

Registration Information

Online payments are preferred for this event. Please note that NHASP is now using payment processing through our website Wild Apricot to simplify your checkout process. You will no longer be redirected to PayPal for payment.

No refunds will be provided for cancellations received after 5pm on Monday, February 2, 2026.

For questions, please contact NHASP President Joe Mahoney using the Contact Us page.

Presenter Information

Tovah P. Klein, Ph.D. is Director Emerita of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and was a psychology professor for over thirty years. Dr. Klein received her doctorate in psychology from Duke University. She was a clinical fellow at Harvard and clinical psychology intern at Boston Children’s Hospital. Her research, teaching and applied work focus on children and families. Dr. Klein’s research aims to understand children's social and emotional development, parental influences on children’s development, and parents' experiences raising children, including the challenges of combining work and family and being a parent during challenging times including the pandemic and natural disasters. She also studies children’s play as a means to process emotions and stressful experiences. Dr. Klein is an advisor to programs for children worldwide and an advisor to children’s media including National Geographic and Apple TV+. Check out her website for more information: tovahklein.com.

Dr. Klein is the author of two books, USA Today Bestseller Raising Resilience: How to help our children thrive in times of uncertainty (HarperCollins, 2024) and How Toddlers Thrive: What parents can do today to plant the seeds of lifelong success (Simon & Schuster, 2014).

Disclosure: Dr. Klein is the author of the book Raising Resilience (2024) and may earn royalties from its sale

NHASP Spring Conference 2026... Changing the Story: Defensible academic assessment and intervention for student progress across a tiered system, with Dr. Matthew K. Burns

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:47:34 GMT

NHASP spring Conference 2026

Friday April 3, 2026, 8:15 - 3:30

Changing the Story: Defensible academic assessment and intervention for student progress across a tiered system

A conference for education professionals who have an interest in research-supported practices, including school psychologists, curriculum specialists, regular and special education teachers, and education administrators

Continuing Education Credits

6.0 CPD hours are available for this event!

NHASP is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer professional development for school psychologists and other professionals. NHASP maintains responsibility for the program. Certificates of Attendance will be provided following completion of the event. A total of 6.0 CPD hours will be awarded for this event. These hours are accepted towards the NCSP and other professional credentials.

Register Here!

Conference Description

Presenter: Dr. Matthew K. Burns, Fein Professor of Special Education, University of Florida

Dr. Burns will draw on findings and lessons from the many research studies he and collaborators have conducted over the past 20 years. He will cover a variety of topics related to preventing, identifying, and solving student academic problems, and highlight the value of curriculum-based measures (CBM) in those efforts. Dr. Burns will address decision-making with academic data at all tiers of a multitiered system of support, starting with the purposes of academic assessments (e.g., screening, diagnostic, progress monitoring). For example, he will review the type, amount, and scheduling of academic screenings for all students to determine risk of failure. Dr. Burns will also discuss factors surrounding the selection of core instructional programs (Tier I), and the current understanding of effective reading and mathematics interventions at Tier II and III.

His presentation will also include:

Using assessment tools to match reading materials to skill levels (frustrational, instructional, independent)
Measurement concepts like expected (normative) rate of improvement
An expert perspective on CBM tools sold by companies such as AIMSweb, FastBridge, easyCBM, and Star CBM
Specific subskill mastery measures (SSMMs) to monitor student improvement in more targeted skills (e.g., targeting consonant blends)
Decision-making models for evaluating response to intervention
Components of small-group academic interventions which drive their effectiveness
Decision accuracy of commonly used dyslexia screeners
An expert perspective on the identification of Learning Disability using a Response-to-Intervention framework

Learning Objectives

Participants will describe the purposes of academic assessments at different tiers of a multitiered system of support.
Participants will identify effective, defensible assessment tools for studying different kinds of student academic problems.
Participants will identify evidence-based academic interventions which are appropriate at different tiers of support.
Participants will apply knowledge of evidence-based assessment and intervention practices to academic problem-solving in their own professional practice.

General Schedule

7:30 Registration and breakfast

8:15 Start

10:00-10:15 Break

11:15-12:15 Lunch

12:15 Resume

2:00-2:15 Break

3:30 End

Location & Meals

Venue: Plymouth State University

Merrill Place Conference Center at PSU: 14 Merrill St, Plymouth NH 03264

Includes: continental breakfast and coffee, lunch, afternoon snack

PSU is only minutes from Interstate 93. The following information will help you get to the event:

Refer to this document for written instructions on how to drive to PSU.
Check back here for very specific information about the best parking for Merrill Place Conference Center.
This PSU Campus Map can also help you with navigation on the day of the conference.

Registration Information

No refunds will be provided for cancellations received after 5pm on Monday, March 23, 2026.

*Students currently enrolled in an educator training program (including school psychology) receive a greatly reduced registration fee for this event. Evidence of enrollment will be required.

For questions, please contact NHASP President Joe Mahoney using the Contact Us page on our website, https://www.nhaspweb.org.

Presenter Information

Dr. Matthew K. Burns is a prolific researcher (e.g., published over 200 articles and book chapters and 15 books), but is dedicated to positively influencing practice in K-12 schools and mentoring the next generation of thought leaders in education. As one of the leading researchers regarding the use of assessment data to determine individual or small-group interventions, Dr. Burns works closely with schools to study and implement multitiered systems of support, intensive reading and math interventions, school-based teams, and generally supporting students with and without disabilities whose needs are not being met. He is a Past Editor of School Psychology Review and Assessment for Effective Intervention. Dr. Burns was also a first-generation college student who was born in Flint, Michigan and served on the faculty of the University of Missouri for 9 years, University of Minnesota for 10 years and Central Michigan University for 5 years.

Save the Date! NHASP Spring Conference - Friday April 3, 2026

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 19:11:09 GMT

At Plymouth State University, Plymouth NH

PRESENTER: DR. MATTHEW K. BURNS
https://education.ufl.edu/faculty/matthew-burns/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Matthew-Burns-10

Save the Date! More information to come

Get to know Matt's work...

NASP Podcast Episode: February 2020: But I’ve Tried Everything! What to Do When the Intervention Does Not Work

Some of Matt's recent research (available courtesy of ResearchGate):

NHASP's new Member Spotlight

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:04:37 GMT

During National School Psychology Week, we mentioned a new ongoing feature which will be added to our quarterly e-newsletter, the NHASP Note. This feature will be a Member Spotlight. If you would like to participate in this feature, here is how it will work:

NHASP would like a written submission with a maximum word count of 500 words.
To make your submission, please use the Contact Us form on the website. When doing so, please write “Member Spotlight” in the optional "Subject" box in that form.
For each newsletter edition, one submission will be randomly selected from among those received. The Newsletter Editor will then reach out to that person for a photo as well. (And any submission which is not selected will remain in a pool of possible selections for a future newsletter.)

This is an opportunity for you to tell our professional community a little about yourself and the good work you do for kids and their adults. Potential topics for your Spotlight may include: the experiences or other motivations which led you to pursue a career in school psychology; information about your training program and your experiences there; the professional activities which you most enjoy; communities you work or have worked in and your experiences there; volunteer or other professional involvements you have outside of your day job; why school psychology is important to you; the ways you enjoy spending your time outside of work.

The first Member Spotlight submission has a due date of Monday December 15, 2025. Please reach out to current NHASP President, Joe Mahoney with any questions. Have a great weekend.

NHASP Live Webinar with Dr. Kate Peters (free to Student Members): Supporting Students from Families with Substance Use Disorders

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 01:46:41 GMT

NHASP Live Webinar with Dr. Kate Peters

(free to Student Members)

Tuesday November 18, 2025

11:30-12:30

Supporting Students from Families with Substance Use Disorders

An opportunity for providers such as school psychologists and counselors to learn about the experiences of these students as well as practical strategies for supporting them

Continuing Education Credits

1.0 CPD hour is available for this event!

A Zoom link will be provided to registrants in advance.

Event Description

Presenter: Kate Peters D.O., physician, Brain Tree Collaborative

Dr. Peters is a co-founder of Brain Tree Collaborative, which provides evidence-based addiction medicine education for healthcare professionals and community partners. Dr. Peters will provide insight into the experiences of families with substance use disorders. Other topics will include neurocognitive and academic effects of prenatal drug exposure, and attachment and behavioral consequences of living in homes with substance use disorders. Dr. Peters will also teach participants how to explore possible implicit biases regarding substance use disorders. Participants will learn strategies for supporting families experiencing substance use disorders, and the treatment resources available for people who use drugs in New Hampshire.

Learning Objectives

Participants will identify common neurocognitive and academic differences associated with prenatal drug exposure.
Participants will describe behavioral and attachment-related effects on children of having substance use disorders in their home.
Participants will be prepared to apply knowledge of support strategies for affected families in real-world contexts.

Registration Information

Purchase orders will not be accepted for this event.

No refunds will be provided for cancellations received after 5pm on Friday, November 7, 2025.

For questions, please contact NHASP President Joe Mahoney using the Contact Us page.

Presenter Information

Dr. Kate Peters is a family physician and educator with over 15 years of experience providing comprehensive care across diverse clinical settings, including hospital medicine, outpatient primary care, obstetrics, emergency medicine, gender-affirming care, residency education and addiction medicine. Her work has focused on supporting patients in low-resource environments and expanding access to compassionate, evidence-based care for all. Dr. Peters is passionate about education and equity in medicine. She and her spouse recently founded a nonprofit organization, Brain Tree Collaborative, dedicated to advancing addiction medicine education. Outside of her professional life, Dr. Peters enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, caring for their lively menagerie of two dogs, two gerbils, and twelve chickens, and finding joy in learning something new every day.

Disclosure: NHASP and Dr. Peters have reported no conflicts of interest

In Memoriam – Ryan Long, and support resources

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 16:47:11 GMT

As I compose this message, our region is experiencing a sunny and cool weekend which feels like autumn. Many of us have returned to work, including myself, where I was pleased to greet so many children who were excited to return to school. Last week was also the return to school for the staff and students of the Oyster River Cooperative School District. Heartbreakingly, they returned without our colleague Ryan Long and his two school-aged children Parker and Ryan. Remembrances of Ryan were recently collected from his professional community, and you can view or download them on our website here. For me, the Long family tragedy was another reminder that as a professional, my most urgent responsibility is to protect children from harm, and to help them heal when they experience it.

Hyperlinks to resources from the National Association of School Psychologists are provided below. These informational resources are available for free, and I hope that you and your collaborators might find them valuable. The resources address a range of relevant topics including systems-level considerations for trauma prevention and intervention, screening procedures to identify traumatized children, key principles in minimizing the effects of trauma, and relatively recent statistics and recommendations regarding children and gun violence.

Preventing Childhood Trauma: Guidelines for Administrators and Crisis Teams

Guidance for Trauma Screening in Schools

The Role of Schools in Supporting Traumatized Students

Gun Violence and Youth 2019

I wish you a healthy and productive start to the 2025-26 academic year. As we continue our mission on behalf of children, NHASP has many opportunities for connection and professional development which are starting up (see the Professional Development page of our website). And as always, your school psychology community is here to support you. If NHASP can help, please reach out to current NHASP President, Joe Mahoney at jmahoneynhasp@gmail.com. And if you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis, you can call and speak to trained and caring clinical staff. Call the NH Rapid Response Access Point at 833-710-6477, or call or text 988.

Sincerely,

Joe Mahoney, President

New Hampshire Association of School Psychologists

Our colleague Dr. Ryan Long and his family

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:07:16 GMT

NHASP is deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of Dr. Ryan Long, his wife Emily Long, their son Parker, and their daughter Ryan. Ryan Long was a Past President of NHASP and most recently worked as a school psychologist for the Oyster River Cooperative School District. He also had professional ties to Plymouth State University, Seacoast Mental Health, and NAMI-NH, and previously worked as a clinical mental health counselor. With the start of a new school year quickly approaching, the loss of Ryan, Emily, Parker, and Ryan will be grieved by coworkers, students, classmates, and many others. Hyperlinks to resources from the National Association of School Psychologists are provided below. These informational resources are available for free, and we hope you find them useful as you support children, their parents, and teachers in times like these.

Death and Grief in the Family: Providing Support at School

Addressing Grief: Tips for Teachers and Administrators

Of course, the tragedy on Monday is understandably a source of distress for all of us. As you support the needs of others, please make sure to pay attention to your own needs, and utilize the strategies that fit best for you. But if you need help, your school psychology community is here to support you. If NHASP can help, please reach out to current NHASP President, Joe Mahoney at jmahoneynhasp@gmail.com. And if you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis, you can call and speak to trained and caring clinical staff. Call the NH Rapid Response Access Point at 833-710-6477, or call or text 988.

We will be back in touch with our members very soon with more support resources and opportunities for community and connection. Until then, please give someone you love an extra hug tonight.

Sincerely,

Joe Mahoney, President

Sam Broadhead, Past President

on behalf of New Hampshire Association of School Psychologists

NHASP Fall Conference 2025... Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2025: Theory, Assessment, and Difference vs. Disability with Dr. Nancy Sullivan from Boston Children’s Hospital

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:04:31 GMT

NHASP Fall Conference 2025

Monday October 20 2025, 8:15 - 3:30

Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2025: Theory, Assessment, and Difference vs. Disability

A training that will be valuable to all professionals who have an interest in the evidence-based diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), such as psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and behavior analysts

Continuing Education Credits

6.0 CPD hours are available for this event!

NHASP is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer professional development for school psychologists and other professionals. NHASP maintains responsibility for the program. Certificates of Attendance will be provided following completion of the event. A total of 6.0 CPD hours will be awarded for this event. These hours are accepted towards the NCSP and other professional credentials.

Conference Description

Presenter: Dr. Nancy Sullivan, Clinical Psychologist, Associate Director for the Autism Spectrum Center at Boston Children’s Hospital

Dr. Sullivan will address the language used regarding autism and ASD, neurodiversity and neuro-affirming care, the function of clinical diagnoses, the role of self-advocates in changing practices, and controversies in ASD treatment. She takes a middle of the road approach to these topics and presents multiple vantage points.

This training will also feature:

Best practices for a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of suspected ASD
A review of standardized assessment tools, including an introduction to administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2^nd Ed. (ADOS-2), the tool with the best empirical connection to diagnosed ASD
Differential diagnosis considerations between ASD and various other DSM-5-TR conditions, including other neurodevelopmental disorders and common disorders of childhood
Defensible evidence-based medication and therapeutic interventions
Ample time for questions and discussion

Learning Objectives

Participants will describe contemporary perspectives on neurodiversity and the language used to discuss it.
Participants will identify the types of information needed for a best-practices assessment of suspected ASD.
Participants will explain important features in differential diagnosis between ASD, other disorders, and typical development.
Participants will apply knowledge of evidence-based interventions for ASD to their own professional practices.

Schedule

7:30 Registration and breakfast

8:15 Start

10:00-10:15 Break

11:15-12:15 Lunch

12:15 Resume

2:00-2:15 Break

3:30 End

Location & Meals

Venue: Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

Address: 2500 North River Road, Manchester NH 03106

Building: Dining Center banquet hall

Includes: continental breakfast and coffee, lunch, afternoon snack

Please refer to this document for driving instructions on how to arrive at SNHU Parking Lot 1. Please refer to this SNHU Campus Map for support with navigating to the Dining Center. Both Parking Lot 1 and the Dining Center are circled in yellow. There will also be signage on the morning of the conference.

Registration Information

Purchase orders will not be accepted for this event.

No refunds will be provided for cancellations received after 5pm on Friday, October 10, 2025.

*Students currently enrolled in a school psychology training program receive a reduced registration fee for this event.

For questions, please contact NHASP President Joe Mahoney using the Contact Us page on our website, https://www.nhaspweb.org.

Presenter Information

Dr. Nancy Sullivan is a Clinical Psychologist with over twenty-five years of experience specializing in the assessment and behavioral treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions. She is an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Director of Psychological Assessment in the Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Boston Children’s Hospital, and Associate Director of the Autism Spectrum Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Sullivan is a certified independent trainer for the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2). She has expertise in applied behavioral analysis (ABA), family behavioral therapy, social skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and subspeciality in the treatment of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorders (ARFID).

Disclosure: NHASP and Dr. Sullivan have reported no conflicts of interest

NHASP Live Webinar with Dr. Sandy Chafouleas: An Introduction to the Feel Your Best Self Toolkit (free to Members)

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:22:53 GMT

Tuesday September 23 2025, 12:30-2:00

An Introduction to the Feel Your Best Self Toolkit

A session that will be valuable to professionals who help children learn emotion regulation skills, such as psychologists, counselors, and social workers

Continuing Education Credits

1.5 CPD hours are available for this event!

NHASP is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer professional development for school psychologists. NHASP maintains responsibility for the program. Certificates of Attendance will be provided following completion of the event. A total of 1.5 CPD hours will be awarded for this event. These hours are accepted towards the NCSP and other professional credentials.

A Zoom link will be provided to registrants in advance.

Event Description

Presenter: Dr. Sandy Chafouleas, Distinguished Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Connecticut

Dr. Chafouleas will highlight the essential elements of the Feel Your Best Self toolkit in supporting children’s skill development. This session will feature a Question & Answer session with Sandy, and participants will also have the opportunity to share their own experiences or ideas regarding using FYBS.

Feel Your Best Self is a free, award-winning toolkit that brings credibility, accessibility, creativity, and joy to learning emotion-coping strategies. From school stress to bedtime struggles, the FYBS strategies fit into everyday life, making emotional navigation simpler. https://www.feelyourbestself.org/

Learning Objectives

Participants will identify skills which are appropriate to teach children using the Feel Your Best Self toolkit.
Participants will describe effective ways to utilize the Feel Your Best Self toolkit in their work so as to optimize child skill development.
Participants will be able to apply knowledge of appropriate emotion-coping strategies for children in real-world contexts.

Registration Information

Purchase orders will not be accepted for this event.

No refunds will be provided for cancellations received after 5pm on Friday, September 12, 2025.

For questions, please contact NHASP President Joe Mahoney using the Contact Us page.

Presenter Information

Dr. Sandra M. Chafouleas is a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor and Neag Endowed Professor in the Neag School of Education at UConn. She also serves as the founder and Co-Director of the UConn Collaboratory on School and Child Health (CSCH). Dr. Chafouleas received her Ph.D. in psychology (school) from Syracuse University and is a licensed psychologist in Connecticut. Dr. Chafouleas focuses her work on usable practices that support the whole child, with specific expertise in strategies to support social, emotional, and behavioral well-being. As PI/Co-PI, she has secured over $20 million to support these research, service, and training activities. Dr. Chafouleas is co-creator of Feel Your Best Self, an award-winning toolkit for learning simple emotion-coping strategies. She has authored over 200 publications and regularly serves as a national presenter and invited speaker. She has received multiple recognitions for her work, including Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association.

Disclosure: Dr. Chafouleas is a co-creator of the Feel Your Best Self toolkit, which is a free resource

NHASP Membership benefits in 2025-26

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 02:17:06 GMT

I hope you’re well and looking forward to the summer break season. I wanted to share all of the membership benefits you can expect as a NHASP Member in 2025-26. If you are currently a Member, and renew before the end of this month (June), you can receive a $20 discount off the Regular rate of $70. You should have received your first renewal reminder on May 2, which included a unique discount code.

Membership benefits in 2025-26 will include:

A live webinar in September with school psychology professor Dr. Sandy Chafouleas, which will be FREE for Members ($40 for non-members), regarding the Feel Your Best Self toolkit (1.5 CEU hours)
The Member rate (saving you $40) for our Fall Conference 2025 in October, “Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2025: Theory, Assessment, and Difference vs. Disability” with psychologist Dr. Nancy Sullivan, Associate Director of the Autism Spectrum Center at Boston Children’s Hospital (6 CEU hours)
Professional Learning Community discussions twice a month on Zoom: one offering at lunchtime (Case Studies), and another offering after school at 4:00 (Topical Discussions)
Early Career Group discussions once a month on Zoom, after school at 4:00, for early-career practitioners
An Event Calendar on the website to help you keep track of these meetings, all the professional development offerings, our Executive Board meetings (which you can attend), and more
Access to the NHASP Facebook page for discussions and other social opportunities
Four new editions of the NHASP Note e-newsletter in 2025-26
An archive of 17 years of NHASP newsletters (the Protocol and the Note), available only to Members
Support from your Regional Representative and opportunities for Region gatherings
And more… stay tuned

More information regarding the September and October PD events will be coming very soon. Please reach out if there is anything I can do to support your decision-making. And please see below for instructions on how to renew.

Sincerely,

Joe Mahoney

NHASP President-Elect

Instructions

1. Click below: ‘click here to renew your membership online’

2. Log in as prompted

3. Click ‘Renew to 01 JUL 2026’

4. Click ‘Update and Next’

5A. Click ‘pay online’ and pay electronically -or-

5B. Click ‘invoice me’ and pay electronically from the email you receive

Click here to renew your membership online

Be sure your membership category & directory information are accurate.

For assistance, message us at https://www.nhaspweb.org/contact-us

Don't know your password? Reset it here:

https://www.nhaspweb.org/Sys/ResetPasswordRequest

NHASP Announces 2025 NH School Psychologist of the Year, Dr. Bridget Jameson!

Thu, 01 May 2025 16:22:02 GMT

NHASP Spring Conference 2025

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 16:44:45 GMT

NHASP Announces the 2022-2023 NH School Psychologist of the Year!

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:40:34 GMT

Travis Bickford attended UNH and received his school psychology degree from the University of Southern Maine in 2006. He's a nationally certified school psychologist and has been president of NHASP and has worked at Dover since 2006 becoming the district's lead psychologist in 2018. Travis is known for his flexibility and responsiveness and exemplary knowledge and performance in the field of school psychology. He is an innovative thinker who not only has the knowledge but the skill to work with students and families at their level. Parents and staff report they feel better when Travis is attending a challenging meeting because they know the students’ needs will be well represented and he will present student orientated solutions. He is has led district initiatives in SEL learning, including chairing the SEL task force which provided the district with baseline data on readiness and a blueprint on how to move forward in SEL. Travis has participated in a citywide review of the mental health response in collaboration with public safety officials and the mental health alliance developing a strategic plan to address recent trends and barriers in accessing mental health services in the City of Dover. Travis also has been integral in creating and implementing a critical incident response team and protocols that are now in place for the Dover Public schools and currently is in the new role as the district’s MTSS coordinator. Travis is a true student-centered individual. He brings a deep care and passion to his work, always putting everything about the needs of students first. He has a remarkable ability to connect with students, families, and staff, creating an environment of trust and support. He's deeply respected for his professional standards, willingness to go the extra mile and being originally from Maine his wonderful, wicked funny sense of humor rules the day.

NHASP Announces the 2022-2023 Lifetime Achievement Award!

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:39:16 GMT

Peg Dawson, Ed.D., NCSP, received her doctorate in school/child clinical psychology from the University of Virginia. She worked as a school psychologist for 16 years in Maine and New Hampshire, and for over 30 years has worked at the Center for Learning and Attention Disorders in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where she specializes in the assessment of children and adults with learning and attention disorders. Along with her colleague, Dr. Richard Guare, she has authored several books, including a book for professionals, Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents: A Practical Guide to Assessment and Intervention and several books for parents, Smart but Scattered, Smart but Scattered Teens and Smart but Scattered—and Stalled. They have also written a book for adults called The Smart but Scattered Guide to Success, and just revised a book on coaching called Coaching Students with Executive Skills Challenges. Dr. Dawson was a founding member of the New Hampshire Association of School Psychologists and served as its second president. She is also a past president of the National Association of School Psychologists and the International School Psychology Association. She is also the 2006 recipient of NASP’s Lifetime Achievement Award and a 2010 recipient of the International School Psychology Association Distinguished Services Award. Peg is a prolific writer, presenter, mentor and instructor in executive skills. She has volunteered her time with NHASP throughout the years sponsoring a study group in executive skills offering her expertise and mentoring the next generation of school psychologists. Peg's dedication to the field is unmatched and her approachable style and willingness to share her talents has been such a gift to our field and professional development.

NHASP Announces the 2021-2022 NH School Psychologist of the Year!

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 15:38:13 GMT

The NH School Psychologist of the Year Award (SPY) recognizes excellence in the provision of school psychological services by an NHASP member. Nominees who are considered for the SPY Award provide a full range of school psychological services, perform the job in an exemplary manner, earn the respect of colleagues, students, and parents, display pride in NHASP and represent school psychology well, and are well informed about NHASP standards and goals.

For 2022, our award recipient is Kate O. Salvati, MS, NCSP of Strafford Learning Center. Kate is a true leader in the field and a champion for children, youth, and families. Her colleagues describe Kate as a compassionate and respectful practitioner, who is knowledgeable in best practices and able to foster positive partnerships with diverse stakeholders. She is always willing to help, and problem solve complex situations. One of Kate’s many strengths is her ability to break down insights and recommendations into digestible pieces so that all parties can comprehend and recognize how to best support a child.

Kate has made meaningful contributions to Multi-Tiered Systems of Support throughout her career at the state and local school levels. She is committed to creating systems and services that promote safe and supportive school environments using current research related to fostering resilience, promoting mental health wellbeing, and nurturing social-emotional wellness for children. Beyond her role as a school psychologist, Kate extends her advocacy for the welfare of children by serving as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteer.

Kate is the NASP Delegate for New Hampshire, former NHASP president (2005-2006 & 2013-2014), former NHASP Regional Representative – Seacoast, NHASP Ethics & Professional Standards Committee Member, NHASP Government & Professional Relations Committee Member, and an active NHASP representative at NASP Regional Leadership Meetings and the Public Policy Institute.

NHASP Announces New Strategic Plan for 2021-2026

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 15:42:40 GMT

NHASP has long maintained a commitment to dedicated and strategic action on behalf of our membership. Part of that commitment is the reliance on a clear strategic plan to guide organizational decisions.

In the spring of 2021, NHASP 2020-2021 president Travis Bickford announced the creation of an updated strategic plan for 2021-2026. This plan continues the strong traditions of NHASP as the leading organization for school psychologists in NH and continues to drive us to strengthen and expand our reach!

In September 2020, NHASP leadership created a Strategic Plan Committee and recruited membership volunteers who were charged with developing a plan that would guide NHASP’s work over the next five years. The goals are purpose-driven, actionable, and aligned to NHASP’s envisioned future. Additionally, the NHASP strategic plan will be further defined and adapted with annual review and action planning. This continuous improvement process will help NHASP celebrate accomplishments, address lessons learned, and respond to the emerging needs of not only its membership, but also to the children and youth of New Hampshire.

NHASP Announces the 2020-2021 NH School Psychologist of the Year!

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 15:36:43 GMT

The NHASP executive board is honored to announce that Dr. Laurie Brodeur from the Berlin Public School System was selected to be the 2021 NH School Psychologist of the Year. Dr. Brodeur’s compelling nominations came from the school district’s special services director, one of her building principals, and a teacher. Dr. Brodeur graduated with a Psy.D., in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1991. She has NH licenses for Psychologist and School Psychologist. Her career has included community-based clinical practice as well as school psychology. Much of her career has been in public service working in several area mental health agencies as a clinician and in leadership roles. She has been in the Berlin Public Schools since 2009. Even prior to earning her doctorate and licensure, Dr. Brodeur’s Vitae shows a history of public service in the field of mental health dating back to 1984.

Dr. Brodeur was described as being part of the fabric of the schools she works in, as well as within the greater Berlin community. Dr. Brodeur’s consumer-friendly approach when working with parents, teachers, and students was highlighted by all three of the individual’s who wrote letters on her behalf. It was clear to the nominating committee that Dr. Brodeur not only serves her school with excellence at the individual student level, but that she has been in a leadership role for building- and district-wide committees and teams. The Berlin School District’s Special Services Director described Dr. Brodeur as being integral in the past year helping the Berlin school district heal following sudden loss of two staff members, while leading the district’s crisis intervention team. “Dr Brodeur is the voice of calm and compassion regardless of the communities’ collective sadness,” wrote one of Dr. Brodeur’s building principals. The building principal went on to describe Dr. Brodeur as being the best school psychologist she has ever worked with, in a 27-year career. She stated that Dr. Brodeur played a key role in the school’s behavioral health intervention team, noting that the team often looks to her to guide case discussions and interventions. Her principal also described Laurie as having vast knowledge of pedagogy, noting that this with her compassion have been keys to her success. Dr. Brodeur’s community-based mental health work was also the focus of her nomination letters, illustrating a long career marked by a commitment to public service in the field of mental health and school psychology.

Dr. Brodeur is retiring after the 2021 school year, and she is clearly very loved and appreciated by her school district, the schools she worked in, and in her community. Congratulations to Dr. Brodeur for outstanding representation of our field across multiple domains of School Psychology practice and best of luck in your future endeavors.

NHASP & NHASEA Adopt Joint Position Statement on The Appropriateness of Educational Teams Using Conditions and/or Diagnoses Identified by School Psychologists

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 16:29:22 GMT

NHASP and the NH Association of Special Education Administrators (NHASEA) are proud to announce the joint adoption of a position statement on “The Appropriateness of Educational Teams Using Conditions and/or Diagnoses Identified by School Psychologists.” Adopted on November 18^th (NHASP) and November 20^th (NHASEA) 2020, this statement clarifies that school psychologists are able to identify conditions and diagnoses that IEP and 504 teams can then use for eligibility decisions and program planning.

Both NHASP and NHASEA are excited to announce this position statement, which can be accessed at www.nhaspweb.org/papers. Association leaders will continue to partner to promote this statement and advocate for practice changes in our NH schools where needed. In brief, the statement outlines that school teams should not require families to provide a diagnosis from a community provider, such as a physician or a private psychologist before determining eligibility. Additionally, while multiple eligibility areas require the school obtain a health assessment as part of the comprehensive evaluation process, the health evaluation does not need to provide this diagnosis. Instead, the school psychologist can be the professional who identifies the condition or diagnosis for the team to consider, along with the results of evaluations completed by other professionals as part of the team process.

We encourage everyone to read the position statement and consider the implications for practices in their school. Watch for additional resources on this topic coming in the near future. Thank you to all who worked on this position statement, including the NHASP writing committee of Nate Jones (chair), Ryan Long, Dave Smith, and Jonas Taub; NHASEA executive director Jane Bergeron; and Michael Opuda and attorney Gerald Zelin from Drummond Woodsum.

Position Statement-Appropriate Use of Diagnoses

NHASP Provides Information for Educators During COVID-19 Pandemic

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 15:32:47 GMT

A group of NHASP leaders, led by Nate Jones, has developed a guidance document on school psychology and the return to learning. Recommendations for screening and individual evaluations are given, as well as considerations for how to maintain a broad scope of practice.

School Psychology and the Return to Learning-Final.pdf

The NHASP Study Group on Executive Skills, led by Peg Dawson, has developed two documents. First is a set of "Tips for Caregivers and Parents on Schooling at Home: What Role Do Executive Skills Play." This wonderful set of tips can be used by everyone working with our students during this time of remote learning. The second is a Message for Teachers on Stress and Executive Skills.

Tips on Schooling at Home EF Dawson[3435].pdf

Stress and executive skills-by P Dawson.pdf

Additionally, the NHASP Ethics Committee has provided a guide on the "Delivery of School Psychological Services in New Hampshire During COVID-19 School Closures." This guide outlines many of the important considerations for school psychologists during this time.

NHASP COVID-19 RESPONSE.pdf

The NHASP Executive board created a practice guidance document on Social Justice. It outlines the role that school psychologists and NHASP has in Social Justice. This is a commitment to have social justice as a core value, underlying the work of school psychologists in New Hampshire.

S ocial Justice Practice Guidance

NHASP announces the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient!

Sun, 30 Jun 2019 15:28:13 GMT

Dave Smith has been a vibrant and essential member of the New Hampshire Association of School Psychologists, working with countless children, adolescents, families and educators in his 30+ years as a school psychologist in New Hampshire. Dave engaged in a wide range of activities, including counseling, consultation, program development, and assessments throughout the state, including school districts in Lebanon, Dover, Hampton, Barrington, Northwood, Nottingham, Strafford, Laconia, Winnisquam Region, Gilmanton, and Franklin. Dave has a passion for being a lifelong learner and continues to engage in opportunities to further his knowledge in school law, school administration, learning disabilities, adventure based counseling, language disorders, and computer programming.

Dave has made essential contributions to the NHASP executive board for 29 years, taking on the roles of Newsletter Editor, Treasurer, and President. He is also a former School Psychologist of the Year. Dave has a keen attention to detail and understanding of what is needed to support the school psychology profession across NH. He was always considered the fiscal hawk and voice of reason on the board, and his understanding of ethical practice and common sense judgement led others to his counsel. NHASP thanks Dave for everything he has provided to others, and continues to do so.

NHASP announces the 2019 NH School Psychologist of the Year!

Sun, 30 Jun 2019 15:26:19 GMT

NHASP is pleased to announce that Kathy Secinaro was awarded the 2019 School Psychologist of the Year award this past June, and honored at the ED’ies award ceremony for the work she does as a school psychologist in New Hampshire. Kathy is described by her colleagues as an individual whose "...enthusiastic initiative and efforts have made a tremendous positive impact in the lives of the children, parents, and staff at Barnstead Elementary School." She provides a full range of school psychological services to her community, demonstrates strong communication and collaboration skills, completes comprehensive evaluations, counsel’s students in crisis, and participates in systems change efforts to enhance the mental health of others. Mrs. Secinaro is described as a driving factor in the positive outcomes for kids and inspires fellow school psychologists to shine in their field.”

Another colleague writes, “As a current member of the New Hampshire Association of School Psychologists with many years of experience working in diverse school settings, Kathy brings an impressive toolkit to her work with students, staff, and families in our Barnstead school community serving approximately 500 students preschool through 8th grade. Kathy came to us highly regarded after several years of working collaboratively with school psychologists to deliver a broad range of assessments in the Rochester School District…working among 12 different schools. Prior to that, Kathy worked at Prospect Mountain High School, where she did all of the special education evaluations, as well as counseling for special education students…” Additionally, “Her broad range of experiences with students preschool through 12th grade, her strong communication and collaboration skills, and her strong ability to connect interpersonally with students, families, and staff have led her to be a key resource for our school.”

Congratulations to Mrs. Secinaro from NHASP and the education community!

NHASP announces the 2018 NH School Psychologist of the Year!

Sat, 30 Jun 2018 15:24:31 GMT

NHASP is excited to announce the 2018 recipient of the New Hampshire School Psychologist of the Year, Felicia Sperry. Felicia currently serves as the school psychologist at Mast Way Elementary School in Lee, which is a part of the Oyster River Cooperative School District. During her time in the field, she has far exceeded any criteria needed to earn this prestigious award through both her contribution to students’ lives and school psychology.

Although Felicia’s accomplishments are vast, her most recent leadership role on the district’s Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Committee is especially notable due to its far-reaching impact on the trajectory of students' mental health. Following tragic events within the district, the School Board tasked the two elementary schools with researching and implementing an evidenced-based social-emotional program that could be used across both schools. As the chair of the committee, Felicia led a group of educators and professional staff in researching applicable programs and determining which program best fit the needs of the schools. Following five years of committee work and discussions with administration, both elementary schools will pilot “Open Circle” during the 2018-2019 school year. While change takes time and can be contentious at times,

Felicia never once wavered from what was best for children. She remained energetic, committed, and persevered through a lengthy and arduous process. Due to her unwavering efforts, both elementary schools will begin to better educate the “whole child.” This pilot will also involve teachers completing the DESSA for all students in their classrooms, which is a social-emotional monitoring tool. This process will better allow for early intervention for mental health concerns and places mental health on an equal playing field with academic learning. In addition to this accomplishment, Felicia has developed and shared a school-based program to assist elementary school students with vital executive functioning skills. This involves her teaching students in all third-grade classrooms about specific areas of the brain and their relationship to various executive functioning skills. Felicia has also developed supplemental resources for classroom teachers to allow for greater generalization of learned skills, as well as has offered ongoing professional development to other practicing school psychologists.

I have been blessed to have Felicia as my mentor this year and have gained immense knowledge through our consultations and collaboration. Felicia is a school psychologist who has never lost her joy for the profession or her quest for further knowledge. She is in every form of the word, a true change maker. It is a pleasure to work with, laugh with, and learn from. All students and professionals who have the opportunity to work with her are better for it.

NHASP announces the 2017 NH School Psychologist of the Year!

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 15:20:40 GMT

NHASP is pleased to announce that Nathaniel Jones, Ph.D. is the 2017 New Hampshire School Psychologist of the Year (SPY). Nate is a school psychology consultant working at SERESC in Bedford, NH, and is a NH and nationally certified school psychology, licensed psychologist, and board certified behavioral analyst (BCBA). Along with his consultation work for New Hampshire schools, Nate focuses his professional goals towards increasing coordination among educational, medical, and mental health agencies to improve outcomes for youth. This is seen in the professional development opportunities he facilitates and in his work as the coordinator of the Medical Educational Therapeutic Evaluation team at SERESC. Nate’s nomination letter included many wonderful comments from his colleagues who describe Nate as, “an exemplar of what it means to be a school psychologist. He inspires trust, shares his wealth of knowledge, and above all, puts kids first. As a mentor, he is somehow always magically available, even though he is busy working and volunteering a hundred different ways.”

Aside from his professional work, Nate’s advocacy as a school psychologist, in both state and national issues, is commendable. He is always willing to head to the “Hill” to support what is best for children and youth and keeps abreast of current issues in our field so that our association can disseminate information to others in our state. Nate has held many positions in our state association, including six years as state Delegate to NASP, NHASP President, co-chair of the NHASP Government and Professional Relations Committee, and our very own Webmaster. Nate is also the Western Region Representative for NASP on the national Ethics and Professional Practice Committee (EPPC).

The selection for SPY is always a challenging one for the nomination committee, as there are so many wonderful school psychologists among us doing incredible things for the students of New Hampshire. Nate is no exception to that, with his contributions being far-reaching and influential, so we would like to congratulate Nate with this award and thank him for all he does for school psychology.

School Psychologist of the Year 2015-16

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 15:16:56 GMT

NHASP is very pleased to announce the 2015-16 NH School Psychologist of the Year (SPY), Tari Selig! Tari is the school psychologist at Griffin Memorial School in Litchfield, NH, NH state delegate to NASP and is currently a PsyD Student at William James College. In selecting Tari for our NH School Psychologist of the Year, the awards committee recognized her powerful contribution to our field at the local, state, and national levels. Tari’s nomination letter describes her as “an effective collaborator” who “constantly goes above and beyond to ensure that the needs of students are being met.”

Tari is also a past-president of NHASP and has led a range of advocacy, professional development, and organizational activities. She helped lead the effort to revise the standards for school psychologists in NH and is currently working to develop a school psychologist rubric for teacher evaluation work in NH. Tari has also led efforts to promote school psychology awareness week in NH and her strong creativity can be seen in many NHASP resources in recent years. In case you wondered where the school psychology scavenger hunt came from, well, now you know. Who knows, she may yet talk us into that school psychology prom.

The selection process for SPY is always difficult and this year was no exception. Several remarkable school psychologists were nominated by their schools. All nominees demonstrate the importance of school psychologists in promoting success for all students. The awards committee thanks everyone who participated in the selection process this year and appreciates the opportunity to learn about the great work occurring in our state.

New Hampshire Association of School Psychologists Blog - In The News

New resource for Members Only: 2026 NH Legislative Activities

NHASP Live Webinar with Dr. Tovah Klein (FREE to our Members): Lessons from her book Raising Resilience

NHASP Live Webinar with Dr. Tovah Klein

(FREE to our Members)

Wednesday February 11, 2026

11:30-12:30

Continuing Education Credits

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NHASP Spring Conference 2026... Changing the Story: Defensible academic assessment and intervention for student progress across a tiered system, with Dr. Matthew K. Burns

NHASP spring Conference 2026

Friday April 3, 2026, 8:15 - 3:30

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Register Here!

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Save the Date! NHASP Spring Conference - Friday April 3, 2026

NHASP's new Member Spotlight

NHASP Live Webinar with Dr. Kate Peters (free to Student Members): Supporting Students from Families with Substance Use Disorders

NHASP Live Webinar with Dr. Kate Peters

(free to Student Members)

Tuesday November 18, 2025

11:30-12:30

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In Memoriam – Ryan Long, and support resources

Our colleague Dr. Ryan Long and his family

NHASP Fall Conference 2025... Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2025: Theory, Assessment, and Difference vs. Disability with Dr. Nancy Sullivan from Boston Children’s Hospital

NHASP Fall Conference 2025

Monday October 20 2025, 8:15 - 3:30

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NHASP Live Webinar with Dr. Sandy Chafouleas: An Introduction to the Feel Your Best Self Toolkit (free to Members)

NHASP Live Webinar with Dr. Sandy Chafouleas (free to members)

Tuesday September 23 2025, 12:30-2:00

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NHASP Membership benefits in 2025-26

NHASP Announces 2025 NH School Psychologist of the Year, Dr. Bridget Jameson!

NHASP Spring Conference 2025

NHASP Announces the 2022-2023 NH School Psychologist of the Year!

NHASP Announces the 2022-2023 Lifetime Achievement Award!

NHASP Announces the 2021-2022 NH School Psychologist of the Year!

NHASP Announces New Strategic Plan for 2021-2026

NHASP Announces the 2020-2021 NH School Psychologist of the Year!

NHASP & NHASEA Adopt Joint Position Statement on The Appropriateness of Educational Teams Using Conditions and/or Diagnoses Identified by School Psychologists

NHASP Provides Information for Educators During COVID-19 Pandemic

NHASP announces the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient!

NHASP announces the 2019 NH School Psychologist of the Year!

NHASP announces the 2018 NH School Psychologist of the Year!

NHASP announces the 2017 NH School Psychologist of the Year!

School Psychologist of the Year 2015-16