It's About More Than Showing Up: Improving School Connectedness to Address Attendance Concerns

Description: Informed by ecological and narrative theories, this webinar provides school social workers with the opportunity to reflect on the ways in which educational settings oftentimes place the “problem” of attendance on and within individual students and families. At the completion of this session, participants will be able to identify ways in which they can improve the practices of the school in order to create a community that fosters school connectedness. This webinar is eligible for 1 CE.

Learning Goals:

1. Identify various barriers to attendance, including those created by schools, using ecological theory

2. Develop school-wide and individual strategies to increase student sense of connectedness and belonging at school

3. Create a multi-tiered system of support building off of existing strengths and relationships to implement strategies to increase school connectedness thereby improving attendance

Speaker: Patrick Mulkern (he/they), LCSW, PPSC is a school social worker, trainer, and consultant with over a decade of experience. Most recently he worked in San Francisco Unified School District where he implemented individual, group, and school-wide interventions while collaborating with students and families to create a more equitable educational environment. Currently, he is the President of the California Association of School Social Workers, the Western Representative of SSWAA, and a community lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley School of Social Welfare. In addition to school social work, Patrick's interests include working with LGBTQ+ youth, students experiencing homelessness, healing-centered and anti-oppressive social work, and narrative practices.

Content level: Intermediate

Target Audience: School Social Workers

Refund policy: No refunds will be given if you are unable to attend the live webinar.