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.
As we enter into 2020 and a new decade, SSWAA sends a message to School Social Workers and all of us about focusing on the good during the year ahead. Please read this moving piece: “Where Your Eyes Go”
Crisis Response Resources:
NYSSSWA has compiled and re-categorized numerous Crisis Response Resources to better assist you throughout the school year. We have also compiled resources Supporting Immigrant Students & Their Families including: “10 Strategies for How Schools Should Respond to Help Children Impacted by ICE Raids” Source: IDRA, August, 2019
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
- NYSSSWA Julie Beatrice addresses Suicide Prevention on NYC City Hall Steps 9/10/19
- NYSSSWA In Action: NY Safety Task Force Meetings 8/9/19
Events
CALENDAR
January 24 & 25, 2020
NYSSSWA Board Mtg in Syracuse
March 18 – 21, 2020
23rd National School Social Work Conference
Baltimore, MD
November 5 & 6, 2020
NYSSSWA State Conference in Buffalo, NY
Read More >
Safe and Supportive Schools: A plan to improve school climate and safety in NYC 
The NYC Comptroller Scott M. Stringer released a 52 page report reviewing current data related to school safety in New York City along with recommendations including adding MORE school social workers. See Executive Summary and Full Report. Source: June 18, 2018, NYC Comptroller, Scott M. Stringer
Read More >
National School Social Work News
- Bullying Prevention & Intervention Dec Article 12/9/2019
- Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Significant Loss Nov Article 11/3/2019
- How to be a Trauma Informed SSW. Oct Article 10/7/19
- Racial & Ethnic Disproportionality Sept SSW Feature Article 9/19
- Back to School with School Social Workers National campaign to promote SSW services (8/2019-6/2020)
Articles/Resources of Interest
- Challenges grow for school social workers...Article with NYSSSWA’s Peg Barrett & Joan Conti 6/2019
- “How Should Schools Respond to ICE Raids: Some Advice” Ed Week, 8/2019
- Schools need more mental health not police. 3/4/2019
- New York State Emotional Learning Benchmarks
- Mental Health Education Literacy in Schools: (NYSED 7/2018)