SDSCA is proud to honor outstanding school counselors and school counseling advocates each year.

​Please visit the Awards page to download the official nomination form and learn details. Two letters of support must accompany each nomination. All nominations are due to Julie Nelson by March 5th, 2018.

Thank you for helping us recognize our local superstars of school counseling!

Happy New Year!

SDSCA hopes that your 2018 is off to a fantastic start. Please click the image below to access the first PIC (Practical Ideas for Counselors) of the new year.

This month includes:

• Information on Day on the Hill and the new legislative session
• Ideas on how you can celebrate National School Counseling Week
• Both SDSCA and SDCA awards
• The School Counselor Spotlight
• and more!

​We hope you enjoy!

SDCA is once again happy to be sponsoring Day on the Hill on Friday February 2nd.

This event is an opportunity for counselors from all work setting to meet with law makers in Pierre in order to answer questions, network, and learn more about the legislative process. An agenda is included below.

Lodging for current SDCA members will be provided, if you register by January 25th. 

To register, check your membership- status, or if you have other questions, please contact SDCA at: sdca.counseling@gmail.com

Click the image below to read the November edition of SDSCA's PIC (Practical Ideas for Counselors).

Inside you'll find:

• Information on the 2018 SDSCA Awards
• A recap of the 9th Annual Counselor Connections workshop
• Working with Military Families
• Helping students on their career journeys
• Pre-Conference 2018
• and more!

At this past weekend's 9th annual Counselor Connections Workshop, several of our presenters shared books that have helped them work with students as well as grow in both their personal and professional lives. 

Click on the picture of a book cover to learn more about each book.

Activities for Working with Students

The South Dakota Counseling Association (SDCA) has extended the Call for Programs deadline for the 2018 SDCA Conference until October 31st.

From SDCA:

SDCA would love you have you share your wealth of knowledge at the 2018 SDCA Conference in Pierre, April 19-21. We are looking for speakers to present during our break out sessions.

Not sure what to present on? Some requested topics include: Motivating Students, Hands On Lessons for the Classroom, Testifying in Court, Ethics, Lifespace Crisis Counseling, Social Skills, Suicide Prevention, Tough Conversations, Diversity, Adolescents and Grief, Growth Mindset,Technology & Counseling, and Counseling Theories.

To complete the Call for Programs Form, visit our website at www.sdcounseling.org. It is the second running head. 

​The SDCA Conference brings counselors from a variety of backgrounds together. Help us to provide a variety of educational sessions! If you have any questions, please contact us at sdca.counseling@gmail.com. 

We are pleased to present the latest issue of the PIC (Practical Ideas for Counselors).

The 9th Annual Counselor Connections is just a few short weeks away.

Click here to register and us on November 3rd and 4th in Brookings on the SDSU campus. 

Please see below regarding pricing, cancellation, and more important information.

NEW REGISTRATION PROCESS:
This year we are trying to make our registration process more manageable. You will be registering online via a google form. Once you have completed the form you will receive an email confirming you registered and providing you with the information from the registration form. Please take note of our new cancellation policy.

Registration Costs: 
SDSCA Members: Friday Only ($50) / Saturday Only ($30) / BOTH DAYS ($75)
SDSCA Student Members: Friday Only ($30) / Saturday Only ($20) / BOTH DAYS ($40)
***Cost of SDSCA Student Membership $10
Non-Members: Friday Only ($80) / Saturday Only ($60) / BOTH DAYS ($130)
***Cost of SDSCA Membership $30

Payment:
Payment cannot be online at this time. After registering online send payment (unless you plan on paying at the door). SDSCA will accept cash or check. Payment must be received prior to November 3rd, 2017 to attend the workshop.

Payment should be mailed to:
SDSCA
c/o Tobin Bakkedahl
650 E 21st Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57105

Payment Disclosure Statement - SDSCA must receive payment prior to the start of the conference for admittance. If your district is paying, and we have not received payment prior to conference you are responsible for payment at the door. No person will be admitted into workshop sessions without payment.

Cancelation Policy:
Cancellation request received prior to September 15, 2017 - Entire registration fee less 10% for processing.
Cancellation request received between September 15 - October 15, 2017 - Entire registration fee less 20% for processing.
NO REFUND for cancellations made after October 15, 2017

REQUESTS FOR CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS MUST BE MADE IN WRITING BY MAIL OR EMAIL
Mail requests: SDSCA, c/o Tobin Bakkedahl
Email requests: amanda.bender@k12.sd.us
*If your school paid your fees, the check will be sent back to them

For more information you can contact: 
Counselor Connections Co-Chairs:  Amanda Bender Amanda.Bender@k12.sd.us or Anna Eidem Anna.Eidem@k12.sd.us

Also included is a tentative agenda of sessions, which are subject to change and are awaiting final approval of CE eligibility from NBCC.

The September issue of the PIC (Practical Ideas for Counselors) is here!

This issue includes:

• Suicide Prevention in the Schools
• Burnout: Life as a Counselor
• Information on November's Counselor Connections
• The School Counselor Spotlight
• And more!