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.
Crisis Response Resources:
NYSSSWA has compiled and re-categorized numerous Crisis Response Resources to better assist you as you start a new 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
- Schools need more mental health not police. 3/4/19
- A School Social Worker in Every Grade? (CO) 2/14/19
- Reducing Weapons in Schools: A Research Brief for Policy Makers (APA, 2/19)
Events
CALENDAR
September 8-14
Youth Suicide Prevention Week
See Resources
October 25 & 26, 2019
NYSSSWA State Conference
March 18 – 21, 2020
2020 National School Social Work Conference
Baltimore, MD
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
School Social Work Association of America Resources:
- Back to School with School Social Workers SSW National Promotional Campaign (8/2019-6/2020)
- Evidence Based Practice in School Mental Health: Addressing DSM-5 Disorders in Schools (Edited by James C. Raines, Trained and worked in NYC.) (Jan 11, 2019)
- Violence Prevention Webinars–FREE (No CEUs)
- SSWAA Calls for End to Family Separation Policy at the Border (June 22, 2018)
Articles/Resources of Interest
- “How Should Schools Respond to ICE Raids: Some Advice” Ed Week, 8/2019
- Nevada District Goes From 20 to 200 SSWs in 5 Years! 8News Now 8/2019
- SSW Reaches Out to Students, Parents to Meet Mental Health Needs (3/1/19)
- New York State Emotional Learning Benchmarks
- Mental Health Education Literacy in Schools: (NYSED 7/2018)