Welcome to NYSSSWA!
Connecting with and serving students, families and schools, the New York State School Social Workers’ Association (NYSSSWA) is the only NYS professional association dedicated solely to the visibility and viability of School Social Workers and the students and families that we serve. Be sure to check out our Advocacy pages for state and federal updates, our Calendar of Events for Professional Development opportunities as well as our members only Resources specific to assisting school social workers in their practice.
COVID-19 Resources for School Social Workers: See Below or Click Here.
“It Takes a Team: The Important Role of School Social Workers, Especially During COVID-19”
Article written by the New York State School Social Workers’ Association, August 7, 2020 (Click title)
Your Membership Dollars At Work!
Role of a SCHOOL
SOCIAL WORKER
School Social Workers, in New York State, are licensed mental health professionals as well as certified by the NYS Office of Teaching as School Social Workers. Responsibilities include:
- Assessments
- Counseling
- Conflict mediation & resiliency building
- Community referral and liaison
- Crisis Intervention
- Violence Prevention/Intervention
- Youth suicide prevention & intervention
Board in Action
CURRENT ISSUES
Priorities we are addressing now:
- See New York State Legislative News
- New York School Superintendents Recognize the Need to Support Mental Health Services
- NYSUT adoption of policies that support School Social Work
- Identifying mental health needs and services as a critical component of a Safe Schools Plan in NYS
- Solidarity Statement Black Lives Matter 6/1/2020 (NYSSSWA Signed on)
- School Social Work Bill
- Collaborating with NY Specialized Instructional Support Personnel
Events
CALENDAR
February 19 – May 31, 2021
SSWAA Extended Access to Summer Event
April 5, 2021 – May 31, 2021
23rd National School Social Work Conference
Virtual REGISTRATION CLOSED
May 21, 2021
Western Region Event
“Foundations of Mental Health Amid Recovery from a Pandemic”
October 28 & 29, 2021
56th NYSSSWA State Conference
Buffalo, NY
COVID-19 Response Resources 
- General Info
- Ethics/Legal Information
- Grief Response
- For Latino & Undocumented Families
- Mental Health During COVID
- New York Specific
- For Parents & Special Ed. Resources
- Re-Opening/Closing Schools During the Pandemic
- For School Social Work Practice
- Social Emotional Learning Resources
- Telemental Health SSW Services
National School Social Work News
- School Social Workers Provide “Reason for Hope” 3/7/2021
- What do Professional Ethics say about Racial Justice… 3/2/2021
- SSW “More Important Now Than Ever Before” 11/19/2020
- Solidarity Statement Black Lives Matter 6/1/2020 (NYSSSWA Signed on)
- SSWAA FAQ from COVID-19 Webinar 19 pages
- Read More Articles by SSWs & SSWAA.
Articles/Resources of Interest
- Four Ways George Floyd’s Murder Has Changed How We Talk About Race. 4/21/2021 Ed Week.
- NASP Guidance for Ensuring Student Well-Being in the Context of the Chauvin Trial 4/20/2021. NASP
- Discussing the Derek Chauvin Trial in Class: How Teachers Are Doing it and Why 4/20/2021. EdWeek
- Do Teachers Have to Disclose Their Vaccination Status 3/24/2021 EdWeek
- Nobody Knows What a SSW Does…. 2/15/2021 NY Chalkbeat
- No, Elementary Students Are Not Too Young to Talk About Race 11/25/2020 ASCD Express
- Racism & Social Justice Resources See webpage of resources