MANSFIELD — According to the National Association of School Psychologists, there is a critical shortage in school psychology.
Shortages in school psychology have the potential to significantly undermine the availability of high quality services to students, families, and schools. In order to mitigate this problem in the local area, Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center and the University of Toledo have collaborated to implement the “Grow Your Own” Mid-Ohio School Psychology Development Program.
This program will encourage interested graduate students to pursue a career in school psychology with Mid-Ohio ESC. Successful applicants will have their tuition paid for the duration of the program. In exchange for the applicant’s tuition being paid for during graduate school, they agree to work for Mid-Ohio ESC for five years once they become fully licensed.
For the 20-21 School Year, MOESC has accepted 2 program applicants and will accept 2 program applicants each year as it aligns with district need and attrition rates. This does depend on the University of Toledo having program seats available for acceptance each year.
Jennifer Crum, Director of Student Services said, “It is exciting to collaborate with the University of Toledo to offer a ‘Grow You Own’ program, especially in the area of school psychology. Our efforts to recruit candidates, who reside within our regional school districts, offer a promising approach to consistently develop a healthy school psychology workforce and meet critical shortages within our region.”
Interested applicants may email Jennifer Crum at crum.jennifer@moesc.net and include the following subject line: MOESC/UT Grow Your Own School Psychologist Program Applicant.
Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services, including professional development, to 10 school districts and over 17,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties. Client districts receive services from curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists.
