I am support of this petition to amend requirements for residency in school psychology to accept five years of experience working as a school-psychologist limited in lieu of 1,500 hours of a supervised residency.  School psychologists are highly trained.  Our credentials reflect our specialized training in both fields of psychology and education.  Our collective years of experience with youth of all ages and ability levels lends itself to expertise in the field. 

There are not enough expertise in our rural Virginia areas to support youth's mental health needs.  School Psychologists live and work in these rural areas and need to have full access and opportunity to support youth in and outside of the school building.  Fully licensed and credentialed School Psychologists with more than 5 years' experience should be allowed to serve the mental health needs of all youth in our community and practice privately as well as in school, to support the vast mental health needs in our rural, and urban, communities.  

Thank you for your consideration.