How SSWAA's Strategic Initiatives Are Shaping the Profession- with Michelle Alvarez Building the Future of School Social Work: Inside SSWAA's Strategic Plan Behind every conference, webinar, advocacy initiative, and member resource is something members may not always see—a dedicated group of volunteers working together to strengthen the future of school social work. Through its Strategic Plan, the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) is investing in initiatives t

A PURPOSEFUL PAUSE School social workers connect people, systems, and solutions—and that role has never been more important. Today's society is all about connection. Access to information. A link to a service or resource. Connection to technology. Research data indicates that we are digitally more connected with the increase of technology advances and social media platforms. But, the data indicates that at the same time, we are more socially isolated. There has been a decli

Every attendee arrives at the SSWAA National Conference with a different story. Some come looking for practical strategies they can implement immediately. Some come to connect with colleagues who understand the realities of school social work. Others travel thousands of miles to learn how the profession is evolving and bring new ideas back to their own communities. No matter where they begin, they leave with something in common: A renewed sense of connection, purpose, and pos

What does it take to present at a national conference? According to Dr. Shericka Smith and Antonio Melton, it starts with something surprisingly simple: a desire to share what you've learned. In this latest SSWAA Conference Conversations podcast episode, host Dr. Emily Shayman sits down with Dr. Shericka Smith and Antonio Melton from Lexington, Kentucky, to discuss their experience preparing to present at the SSWAA National Conference and why stepping forward to share your wo

A PURPOSEFUL PAUSE Some of the most meaningful change happens quietly, steadily, and over time—and it still counts. We live in a society full of noise and hype. The noise of the radio, the television, machinery and traffic, not to mention the constant ding of notifications and reminders. We are bombarded by the dramatic. Huge spectacles on social media; headlines of the latest and "greatest" feat. Noise extends beyond what is audible to all the things that distract our focu

One of the most memorable moments from SSWAA’s National Conference in St. Louis came from a reflection interview with a group of school social work leaders from New York City Public Schools. As they perused the conference brochure, they realized something exciting: although each of them had submitted proposals independently, they had all been selected to present at the conference! The result? A flood of surprised text messages, laughter, pride, and a shared realization that t