Practical Tools You Can Use Immediately One of the most powerful moments at any conference is when learning moves from theory to action—when you find yourself thinking, “I can use this with my students tomorrow.” That is exactly what attendees can expect from this year’s keynote by Dr. Cynthia Franklin, LCSW-S, LMFT , at the 2026 SSWAA National Conference .  Aligned with the conference theme, Gateway to Change , this keynote invites school social workers to step through a ga

Hello SSWAA Community, I’m honored to introduce myself as Anidra Ragin, the newest Advocacy Associate with the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA). It is truly a privilege to step into this role and to serve alongside an organization that has long stood as a national voice for school social workers, student well-being, and equitable systems of support. My journey to this work has been shaped by a deep commitment to children, families, and the systems that surrou

A PURPOSEFUL PAUSE January always brings a sense of possibility. A new calendar. A fresh start. And often, a quiet question in the back of our minds: What do I want this year to be about? For school social workers, a new year doesn’t mean starting from scratch. We don’t leave our experiences, challenges, or lessons behind on December 31. Instead, we begin again—with more wisdom, more context, and a deeper understanding of why this work matters.  We are resolute  to our purpos

As the holiday season arrives — with its lights, gatherings, and moments of reflection — many of us find ourselves thinking about what matters most: connections, belonging, support, and care. For school social workers, this time of year can heighten both our appreciation for the relationships we build and the weight of needs we hold in our hearts. This year, staff at SSWAA have been reading The Happiness Advantage  by Shawn Achor, and we’ve found its message particularly mean

Why This Year’s SSWAA Conference Matters More Than Ever This year, as school social workers from across the nation gather in St. Louis, Missouri , we’re not just attending another conference—we’re stepping into a transformative experience centered around our theme: “Gateway to Change.”   It’s no coincidence that we’re hosting this year’s event in St. Louis, home of the iconic Gateway Arch . Historically, the Arch symbolized expansion, possibility, and movement toward a new fr

...One of the busiest people in the building At 8:05, you’re helping a student who just learned his brother was arrested last night. By 8:45, you’re in another classroom supporting a student who refuses to take off her backpack because “someone might steal my stuff.” Turns out, her last backpack was stolen last week. At 10:15, you’re driving across town to another school because the counselor called about a student who hasn’t spoken since Monday. By lunch, you’ve already been