Lana Oconnell
Pupil Services and Attendance (PSA) Counselors are child welfare and attendance advocates who work directly with students and their families to address barriers to attendance and academic achievement. PSA Counselors are typically funded by the school site, but as of July 1, 2024, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will centrally fund PSA positions in schools with high chronic absence rates. The mission of LAUSD's Pupil Services and Attendance department is to ensure that all students are enrolled, attending, engaged, and on track to graduate, utilizing a three-tiered model of prevention, early intervention, and intensive intervention to improve attendance, engagement, achievement, and graduation rates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| PSA services focus on | Increasing attendance and assisting students/families in addressing barriers to attendance |
| PSA Counselor qualifications | Master's degree or higher in Social Work or School Counseling, with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential authorizing Child Welfare and Attendance services |
| PSA Counselor employment | LAUSD is hiring PSA Counselors |
| PSA Counselor training | Training is provided for both PSA and PSW positions |
| PSA Counselor funding | Funded by school site funds; LAUSD will begin centrally funding PSA positions at school sites from July 1, 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
- LAUSD centrally funds PSA positions at schools with high chronic absence rates
- PSA Counsellors hold a Master's degree in Social Work or School Counselling
- The role focuses on increasing attendance and addressing barriers to attendance
- PSA Counsellors provide social-emotional support services to students and families
- The Pupil Services and Attendance branch is one of LAUSD's oldest professional groups
LAUSD centrally funds PSA positions at schools with high chronic absence rates
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has a long history of focusing on student attendance. In 1903, a new Compulsory Education Act was enacted, leading to the creation of an Attendance Officer position in 1913. Over the years, the department has undergone various name changes, but its primary goal has remained consistent: ensuring that all LAUSD students are enrolled and attending classes.
The Pupil Services and Attendance (PSA) branch plays a crucial role in achieving this goal. PSA Counselors are responsible for increasing attendance and assisting students and families in overcoming barriers to attendance, such as housing, employment, transportation, and childcare issues. They also provide social-emotional support services and work collaboratively with other mental health professionals on campus to meet the diverse needs of the student body.
Historically, PSA positions have been funded by individual school site funds. However, a significant shift occurred in 2023 when, for the first time, LAUSD agreed to centrally fund PSA positions. This change was a result of a contractual agreement that prioritized schools with high chronic absence rates.
As of July 1, 2024, the LAUSD will allocate half of a PSA position (0.5 FTE) to schools with chronic absence rates of 35% or higher. This policy currently applies to 570 schools within the district. By taking on this financial responsibility, LAUSD acknowledges the importance of PSA services and ensures that schools with the greatest needs receive the necessary support to improve student attendance and, ultimately, academic success.
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PSA Counsellors hold a Master's degree in Social Work or School Counselling
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is the second-largest public school district in the United States. The Pupil Services and Attendance (PSA) branch was established in 1990, with the goal of ensuring that all LAUSD students are enrolled, attending, and on track to graduate.
PSA Counsellors are child welfare advocates who work to improve student attendance, engagement, achievement, and graduation rates. They may work directly with students facing academic difficulties due to social, emotional, or community issues. They also provide program-level support services to secure resources and ensure student success.
To qualify for this role, candidates must hold a Master's degree or higher in Social Work or School Counselling. Additionally, they must possess a Pupil Personnel Services Credential authorizing Child Welfare and Attendance services. This credential allows them to provide support and interventions to students across K-12 grades.
The LAUSD is committed to ensuring that all Los Angeles Unified students graduate ready for the world. They actively hire dedicated and driven educators who are focused on equity and the success of LAUSD students.
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The role focuses on increasing attendance and addressing barriers to attendance
The role of a Pupil Services and Attendance (PSA) Counsellor focuses on increasing attendance and addressing barriers to attendance. PSA Counsellors are responsible for supporting students and their families in understanding and accessing public and private health and social services. They work with students and families to address social, emotional, home, and community barriers that may impact attendance and academic potential.
PSA Counsellors employ a three-tiered model of prevention, early intervention, and intensive intervention to improve student attendance and engagement. They may provide case management support, such as referrals to basic needs services, including housing, employment, transportation, and childcare. Additionally, they may offer social-emotional support and brief mental health services.
The goal of the PSA Counsellor position is to ensure that all LAUSD students are enrolled, attending, engaged, and on track to graduate. To achieve this, PSA Counsellors monitor and enforce the performance and accountability of school-based pupil services and attendance. They also supervise the creation and maintenance of the Resource Panel and School Attendance Review Board (SARB).
PSA Counsellors typically hold a Master's degree or higher in Social Work, School Counseling, or a related field, such as Psychology. They are required to have a Pupil Personnel Services Credential authorizing Child Welfare and Attendance services. PSA Counsellors are generally paid for with school site funds; however, there have been moves towards central funding by the LAUSD for schools with high chronic absence rates.
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PSA Counsellors provide social-emotional support services to students and families
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) provides Pupil Services and Attendance (PSA) Counsellors to support students and their families. These counsellors are trained professionals with a Master's degree or higher in Social Work or School Counselling. They hold a Pupil Personnel Services Credential, which authorises them to provide Child Welfare and Attendance services.
The primary role of PSA Counsellors is to increase student attendance by assisting students and their families in addressing barriers to attendance. This includes providing social-emotional support services to students and their families. They help students and families understand and access appropriate public and private health and social services. This may include basic needs such as housing, employment, transportation, and childcare.
PSA Counsellors work directly with students who are struggling to achieve their academic potential due to social-emotional, home, or community barriers. They utilise a three-tiered model of prevention, early intervention, and intensive intervention to improve student attendance, engagement, achievement, and graduation. The Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) PSA Counsellors, for example, take a strengths-based, identity-affirming approach to ensure the educational goals and needs of Black students are met.
PSA Counsellors are generally funded by the schools they serve. However, starting July 1, 2024, the LAUSD will centrally fund PSA positions for schools with chronic absence rates of 35% or higher. This shift in funding demonstrates the district's recognition of the importance of PSA services in supporting students and their families.
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The Pupil Services and Attendance branch is one of LAUSD's oldest professional groups
The Pupil Services and Attendance (PSA) branch, also known as the Pupil Services and Attendance Counselors, is one of the oldest professional groups in the Los Angeles City School District, or LAUSD. The group was formed in 1903 when a new Compulsory Education Act was enacted, leading to the creation of a new LAUSD position in 1913: Assistant Superintendent of Compulsory Education. Over the years, the branch underwent several name changes before settling on its current name in 1990.
The mission of the PSA is to ensure that all LAUSD students are enrolled, attending classes, engaged, and on track to graduate. They utilize a data-driven approach to attendance, identifying areas where prevention and early intervention strategies are needed. The PSA employs a three-tiered model: prevention, early intervention, and intensive intervention, to improve student attendance, engagement, achievement, and graduation rates.
PSA counselors are highly qualified, holding a Master's degree or higher in fields such as social work, school counseling, counseling, psychology, or a related discipline. They are also required to possess a Pupil Personnel Services Credential, authorizing them to provide child welfare and attendance services. These counselors work directly with students who face barriers to achieving their academic potential due to social, emotional, or community-related challenges. They support students' academic, social-emotional, and career development, recognizing that attendance is a strong predictor of academic success.
The PSA also provides support to schools in developing their Attendance and Dropout Prevention Plans. They serve as liasons between the school and home, interpreting laws and policies related to education. Additionally, they assist with enrollment, pupil records, and tracking attendance data and trends. By identifying appropriate resources and community referrals, PSA counselors empower families and students to access the necessary health and social services. The PSA Field Coordinators play a crucial role in monitoring and enforcing the performance of school-based PSA counselors, as well as strategizing and consulting on policies and best practices.
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Frequently asked questions
PSA services for LAUSD students refer to Pupil Services and Attendance Counselors. These counselors help students and their families address social, emotional, home, and community barriers to increase attendance and academic achievement.
PSA services are generally paid for with school site funds. However, starting July 1, 2024, the LAUSD will centrally fund PSA positions at school sites with chronic absence rates of 35% or higher.
PSA counselors are required to have a minimum of an MSW (Master of Social Work) and PPSC (Pupil Personnel Service Credential) or be enrolled in a PPSC program. They may also need to provide proof of an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) license.
The primary role of a PSA counselor is to increase attendance by helping students and their families address barriers to attendance, such as housing, employment, transportation, and childcare. They also provide social-emotional support services and work to prevent dropouts.
While both positions are important, they have distinct roles. PSAs focus on increasing attendance and addressing barriers to attendance, while PSWs are mental health providers on campus, offering brief mental health services and linking students and families to community mental health resources.
