Meet Our Advocacy Associate

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 surround them. As a licensed school social worker, therapist, and systems-level advocate, I have spent my career working at the intersection of mental health, education, policy, and equity. I have served students across multiple school levels, partnered with educators and administrators, and worked closely with families navigating complex social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.

Throughout my work, one truth has remained constant: school social workers are essential to the health of our schools and communities. However, too often, the scope, value, and impact of our profession are misunderstood or underutilized. That reality is what continues to fuel my passion for advocacy.

In my current work, I focus on strengthening behavioral health systems within schools, advancing trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices, and advocating for policies that allow school social workers to operate fully within their professional scope. I believe that when school social workers are supported, students thrive. When systems are built with care, clarity, and compassion, communities are transformed.

As an Advocacy Associate with SSWAA, I am especially excited to:

· Support national and state-level advocacy efforts that elevate the role of school social workers

· Amplify the voices and lived experiences of practitioners in the field

· Contribute to policy conversations that prioritize student mental health and wellness

· Help strengthen systems so that no school social worker stands alone in their work

SSWAA represents more than a professional organization, it represents collective power, shared purpose, and a national community committed to student success. I am deeply grateful to be part of a team that not only understands the work school social workers do, but actively fights to ensure they are seen, heard, and supported.

Please know that I look forward to learning from you, listening to your experiences, and advocating alongside you in the months ahead.

Thank you for the work you do every day. I’m honored to serve with you.

With gratitude and purpose,

Anidra Ragin, LMSW

Advocacy Associate, SSWAA