History of OSCA

OSCA has been chartered as the Oregon state division of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) since 1967. Prior to July 1, 2001, OSCA was a division of the American Counseling Association as well. Following the lead of the American School Counselor Association, many state associations, including Oregon, separated from their state counseling associations. Thus the Oregon School Counselor Association was birthed as an independent, non-profit, 501C-6 organization.

In these last few years, OSCA has been in an on-going process of transition, and we anticipate more significant changes in the future. Ours is an organization of all-volunteer leaders, most of whom are working school counselors with very busy jobs and full schedules. But we are a group of professionals dedicated to the children and families we serve, to this career that we love and to the organization of the Oregon School Counselor Association.

It has taken some years for OSCA to establish its own identity. We feel at this point we are there. Our list of new members continues to grow, which gives OSCA much encouragement for continued support of school counseling issues in our state. In addition to OSCA’s collaboration with the Oregon Department of Education on the Oregon Counseling and Guidance Framework, OSCA leaders are being invited to Teacher Standard and Practices Commission (TSPC) discussions regarding the direction of school counseling licensure, incorporating CACREP standards, ASCA National Standards and the ASCA National Model. We are part of the discussion concerning the Child Development Specialist licensure program through the Oregon Department in conjunction with the School Counselor licenses through TSPC.

We believe this website can help us in our efforts to keep all Oregon counselors informed and supported in this important work that we do for the children and families of our state.