NJ A3424

School counselors must provide comprehensive services including academic, career, social, and emotional development support; individual academic planning; short-term counseling; referrals for long-term services; and collaboration with families, teachers, and administrators.

The State Board of Education must establish professional development requirements covering mental health awareness, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, trauma-informed counseling, cultural competency, and college and career readiness.

School counseling certification programs at accredited colleges must incorporate the American School Counselor Association's national model (or State-approved model) and training in social-emotional learning and postsecondary/career planning.

Creates a State School Counselor Liaison position within the Department of Education to serve as a resource expert, promote professional development, disseminate information on counseling practices and legislation, and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature.

The State School Counselor Liaison must hold a director of school counseling services endorsement and have experience in social-emotional learning programming and postsecondary/career advisement.