NYSSSWA Statement Regarding Buffalo Shooting
On behalf of the NYSSSWA Board, I would like to extend my heartfelt support and condolences to the people and communities affected by the shooting in Buffalo on Saturday May 14, 2022. Violence and hate have no place in our neighborhoods and backyards. This horrific tragedy underscores the need for more mental health support in our communities. Read Full Statement Here. See Crisis Response Resources Here.
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 and much more…
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 NYSSSWA In Action page
- See New York State Legislative News
- Collaborating with NY Specialized Instructional Support Personnel
- Identifying mental health as a critical part of a Safe Schools Plan in NYS
- NYSUT adoption of policies that support School Social Work
- Solidarity Statement Black Lives Matter 6/1/2020 (NYSSSWA Signed on)
- School Social Work Bill
- School Safety Task Force Report–NYSED 7/30/2021
Events
CALENDAR
April 18 – May 29, 2022
SSWAA National SSW Conference-Virtual Access
August 1 – 2, 2022
NYSSSWA Board Meeting
November 3 & 4, 2022
57th NYSSSWA State Conference
Albany, 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 Schools Fall 2021
- For School Social Work Practice
- Social Emotional Learning Resources
- Telemental Health SSW Services
National School Social Work News
- Do SSWs Provide Clinical Mental Health Services? 11/9/2021
- 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.
Articl
es/Resources of Interest
- Celebrate Black History Month NYSSSWA Compilation of Resources
- Black History Month Resource Guide Source: Ctr for Racial Justice
- Celebrate Black History Month with PBS
- Resources Addressing Racism and Social Justice NYSSSWA
- New York Project Hope Free Resources
- Nobody Knows What a SSW Does…. 2/15/2021 NY Chalkbeat