Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) was awarded the Wisconsin School Psychologists Association’s “Friend of Children” award for his work on behalf of the children of Wisconsin.

“It is an honor to be chosen by the Wisconsin School Psychologists Association to receive the ‘Friend of Children’ award,” Kohl said. “The well being of children is a top priority for me and it is important to ensure students have access to resources that will help them succeed in the classroom.”  

Senator Kohl recently requested federal funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program in the fiscal year 2009 appropriations bill for the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. This funding would provide schools with the resources to employ additional school counselors, psychologists, and social workers. According to the American School Counselor Association, the recommended student-to-school counselor ratio is 250-1, but currently the average ratio is 476-1. Senator Kohl has been working to decrease these numbers and put more counselors and social workers in Wisconsin schools.

         Additionally, Senator Kohl has been working to ensure students have access to school breakfast in the mornings. He established a school breakfast pilot program in Wisconsin providing grant money to help schools with the start up costs of implementing a program of this size. As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, he has gained funding to expand the breakfast program throughout Wisconsin ensuring students are well fed and able to focus while in the classroom.

“The evidence is overwhelming that breakfast is tied to a student’s classroom performance,” Kohl said. “Sadly, many kids have no choice but to come to school hungry. Helping ensure that every student starts the day with a nutritious breakfast encourages optimal learning conditions in the classroom for all our children.”

                                              # # #