School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA)
“SSWAA is the only national organization solely dedicated to
promoting the profession of School Social Work”
Our Mission: The School Social Work Association of America empowers school social workers and promotes the profession of school social work to enhance the social and emotional growth and academic outcomes of all students.
Our Vision: Our vision is that school social work is a valued, integral part of the education of all children, connecting schools, families and communities.
National Campaign to Promote School Social Workers:
SSWAA partnered with NASW to launch the “Back to School with School Social Workers” campaign last fall. SSWAA, however, is continuing the promotional campaign. Check out their website for suggested social media, twitter storm information, blogs, monthly featured experts in the field, sample documents for promoting school social workers and much more. Click Here.
Federal Advocacy:
NYSSSWA is an affiliate state organization of the School Social Work Association of America. SSWAA has lobbyists who represents School Social Workers in Washington D.C. and help to keep us updated on bills that have an impact on school social work services. Read more.
- Advocacy: A Ripple Effect An interview with Rob Lucio, SSWAA’s Standards & Practice Representative & Legislative Chair–by Shercee Barrett
- How to Improve Mental Health in Schools and Why It Matters Support for Senate Bill 1122. Ott, E. & Sierra, A. 12/2/2020. SSWAA
Articles by School Social Work Experts in the Field:
- Finding Power in Anxious Feelings by Cappella Hauer 11/27/2020
- School Social Work “More Important Now Than Ever Before” by Ami Flammini 11/19/2020
- 3 Tips for Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health Post Election by Martha Rodriguez 11/16/2020
- Organization Tips for School Social Workers by Capella Hauer, 10/22/2020
- Being Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable: the Lesson of COVID-19 by Chris Parrott, 9/10/2020
- School Reopening Priorities and Guidance during COVID-19 8/23/2020
- The Forgotten Frontline Workers “School Social Workers Respond to Needs of Undocumented Immigrants” by Martha Rodriguez, LCSW 7/23/2020
- Addressing the Needs of LBGTQ Students in Times of Pandemic by Dr. Leticia Villarreal Sosa, 6/18/2020
- Staying Sane in Quarantine by Jim Raines. 5/1/2020
- Creating Hope Through Connection: How to Empower Families and Bring Joy During a Pandemic. by Jennifer Kaplan, April Article. 4/14/2020
- SSWs as Beacons of Hope in Addressing School Dropout Crisis by Howard Blonskey, 3/8/2020
- 6 Facts About Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy and School Violence Prevention by Martha Rodriguez (Broward County, FL), February 2020 Article
- Promoting Social and Emotional Learning Within SSW by Kevin Tan, Ryan D. Heath & Sheri Olson, January Article 1/14/2020 (Dot Kontak NYSSSWA Director of Communications, is proud to note that Kevin was her intern.)
- Bullying Prevention & Intervention by Dawn M. Jaeger, December Article 12/9/2019
- Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Significant Loss by Heather Alden, November Feature Article 11/3/2019
- How to be a Trauma Informed SSW. by Eileen Dombo, October Feature Article 10/7/19
- Racial & Ethnic Disproportionality by Dr. Kari Smith, September Feature Article 9/19
National News & Position Statements
- School Reopening Priorities and Guidance during COVID-19 SWAA Position Statement. 8/23/2020
- SSWAA’s position paper on Role of Law Enforcement in Schools from a Racial Justice Lens SSWAA Position Statement. 8/2020
- Solidarity Statement Black Lives Matter 6/1/2020 (NYSSSWA Signed on to SSWAA Position Statement)
- SSWAA Response to COVID-19 Health Crisis and the Role of School Social Workers SWAA Position Statement. 2020.
- Violence Prevention Webinars–FREE (No CEUs)
- SSWAA Calls for End to Family Separation Policy at the Border June 22, 2018
- “13 Reasons Why” SSWAA’s Response Statement May 9, 2017
- SSWAA’s Statement on Executive Order on Immigration February 9, 2017 SSWAA’s Letter of Response to National Divisions.
- SSWAA Response–Creating a Positive Climate in Schools November 16, 2016
See SSWAA Resolution Statements Here!
COVID-19 Resources:
- SSWAA Response to COVID-19 Health Crisis and the Role of School Social Workers Position Statement. Source: SSWAA
- SSWAA FAQ from COVID-19 Webinar 19 pages of Important Information 3/26/2020 Source: SSWAA
- SSWAA April Featured Article: Creating Hope Through Connection: How to Empower Families and Bring Joy During a Pandemic. Source: Kaplan, J. 4/14/2020. SSWAA
- SSWAA Response to COVID-19 Health Crisis and the Role of SSWs
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources. Resources gathered by SSWAA.
- Pause Blog post providing some self care tips. Source: Rebecca Oliver. 4/29/2020 SSWAA
SSWAA Blog
Membership:
Why join SSWAA? Well, SSWAA has 20 reasons including professional liability insurance! But, the most important is to be a part of something bigger than yourself and do your part in moving our profession forward. Help School Social Workers be seen as visible, vital, & valuable in schools with a strong voice! Join SSWAA and stand with us and be seen as vital professionals! See how SSWAA has made it easier to join:
History:
On July 22, 23 & 24, 1994 in Edwardsville, Illinois 64 participants from 20 states came together to form an organization exclusively representing School Social Workers. Four task forces were established to assist with the organizational structure and Constitution and Bylaws. The fall of 1994, the first SSWAA Luncheon was held at the Midwest School Social Work Conference Milwaukee, Wisconsin and named in honor of I. Lorraine Davis for her long commitment to furthering the cause of School Social Workers. In July of 1995, SSWAA’s first annual meeting was held in Minneapolis and was attended by 60 School Social Workers from 26 states as we continued strategic planning. In October of 1995, SSWAA held its first elections and Randy Fisher was elected as our first President. Read More.
National School Social Worker Week March 7 – 13 2021
2020: “Beacon of Hope: School Social Workers – Lighting the Way” is our theme for School Social Work Week 2020. In our role, School Social Workers are able to light the way, emphasizing the whole child, collaborating with other professionals, linking students and families with needed services, and advocating for our profession. We have compiled some resources for SSWAA members and hope that you will find them useful. Please feel free to use them all or pick and choose what is beneficial to you and your district. We invite you to follow us on social media and share throughout the week as well. We hope you have a successful School Social Work Week 2020! #BeaconofHope #SSWWeek2020 Not a member yet? Join here.
Enjoy and hope you had a Happy School Social Work Week!!!