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.
“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!
COVID-19 Resources for School Social Workers: See Below or Click Here. 
Re-Opening/Closing School Resources
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
- NY State School Social Work Week Resolution 3/4/2020
- Solidarity Statement Black Lives Matter 6/1/2020 (NYSSSWA Signed on)
Events
CALENDAR
October 15 – Dec 15, 2020
Fall Extended Access Virtual Conference
March 11 -12, 2021
56th NYSSSWA State Conference
Buffalo, NY
March 22 – 24, 2021
23rd National School Social Work Conference
Virtual
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
- “Guidance for Supporting Students, Families, and Staff Post Election” 11/2/2020
- School Reopening Priorities and Guidance 8/23/2020
- Solidarity Statement Black Lives Matter 6/1/2020 (NYSSSWA Signed on)
- SSWAA Response to COVID-19 Health Crisis and the Role of SSWs
- SSWAA FAQ from COVID-19 Webinar 19 pages
- Read More SSWAA Articles.
Articles/Resources of Interest
- 5 Tips to Help Districts Bridge the Equity Divide 11/19/2020 ESchool News
- Schools Are Retreating to Remote Learning…Do They Have To? 11/17/2020 EdWeek
- Ethical Considerations for Responding to Social Injustice 10/14/2020 NASW
- Mental Health Disorders Related to COVID Deaths.10/12/2020 JAMA
- SW Resources: Racism & Social Justice New NYSSSWA webpage
- NYSED Issues Guidance to Reopen NY State Schools. 7/16/2020