A group of school counselors in Kentucky has shared recommendations on a bill that bans gender affirming care for children and places sweeping changes on how schools teach sexuality.
The Kentucky Department of Education’s School Counselor Advisory Council met virtually on June 1 to plan for impacts of Senate Bill 150, which was passed during the 2023 legislative session.
The counselor council provides the commissioner of education and department of education leadership with direct input from school counselors who serve in Kentucky public schools.
Chief Academic Officer Micki Ray, Staff Attorney Lindsey Swartz and General Counsel Todd Allen, all of the department of education, joined Heather Bushelman, department of education program coordinator for comprehensive school counseling, to discuss future SB 150 guidance for Kentucky’s counselors.
“You know part of your role with this council is giving feedback,” Bushelman said. “So, if there’s anything you might want us to consider putting in it, that’s part of your role being here.”
Members of the council provided feedback and questions regarding the guidance that will be released this month.
In other business, the council:
- Analyzed information submitted by superintendents regarding school-based mental health providers’ use of time; and
- Received updates on the templates the council piloted to track their use of time providing student services.
The group will meet again on Sept. 28.