Educational Counseling Resources

The links below are organized alphabetically as a resource for educators and others who manage district, county, or school-based school counseling programs.

Bridging the History, Policy, Preparation and Practice of the School Counseling Profession in California (PDF; 2.60MB)
The report outlines how California has become a national leader in school counseling, highlighting major milestones, funding innovations, new staffing models, and recommendations to ensure equitable access.

California Association of School Counselors (CASC)
The state-chartered association guiding the work of school counselors working in California schools.

CASC Become a School Counselor
Provides the steps to become eligible to practice as a school counselor in the pre-kindergarten through grade twelve public school system in California.

CASC Awards Program
Criteria, including submission criteria and other awards related to the school counseling profession.

California Code of Regulations Title 5, Section 80049.1(c)
Community-based service providers, individuals completing counseling-related internship programs, and state licensed individuals providing services on school campuses are required to be supervised by Pupil Personnel Services Credential Holders. Refer to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for further information on Pupil Personnel Services Credential for Individuals Prepared in California .

The California Continuum for Advancing School Counseling Practice: Defining Standards in Practice (CASCP) (PDF)
The CASCP framework establishes statewide definitions for school counseling practices and outlines a structured progression of observable actions that align with professional standards.

California Education Code Section 49600
Outlines the requirements associated with educational counseling in schools.

California Education Code Section 49602
Defines specific confidentiality requirements when working with students, ages twelve and older.

The California Standards for the School Counseling Profession (PDF; 1.28MB)
The CASC publication articulates the scope of work and the values that the counseling profession stands for, outlining how practitioners can achieve the outcomes that both the profession and the public expect.

Cops and No Counselors: How the Lack of School Mental Health Staff Is Harming Students (PDF; 6.41MB)
The 2019 report from the American Civil Liberties Union indicate a severe shortage of the staff most critical to school safety and positive school climate—school-based mental health providers including shortages in school counselors, psychologists, nurses, and social workers.

Counseling Resources
Information to address massive school closures and community-wide health, mental health, and economic trauma. Information and links to resources were collected to assist educators, school-based mental health service providers, caregivers, and pre-kindergarten through grade twelve students.

Counseling/Student Support - CalEdFacts
Provides a detailed overview of counseling programs.

Heartbeat (Video; 4:13)
CASC video that describes school counseling services from the perspective of students and teachers.

Project Cal-Well
Federal grant to increase mental health awareness and promote wellness among kindergarten through grade twelve students in California.

Sample Board Policies and Regulations School Safety
Local educational agencies are accountable for defining school counseling programs within board policies in their district (Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 6164.2).

School Counselors - How their work is making a difference in California school (Video; 1:59)
Video describing the need and research in meeting student mental health needs.

School-based Mental Health: School and Community Partnerships Joint Position Statement: Community (PDF)
CASC document outlines mental health programs on school campuses.

State of Student Wellness 2021 (PDF)
Fact Sheet that describes statewide survey data on student mental health issues following returning to in-school learning and COVID-19 related issues.