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Celebrating Wisconsin's School Social Workers

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

This week (March 6-12, 2022) is National School Social Work Week, a time to celebrate school social workers across the nation and appreciate their work in helping students achieve academic success. Be sure to take a moment this week to take some time to give an added “thank you” to your school social workers for all they do in helping students and the community.

The theme for National School Social Work Week 2022 is “Time to Shine.” The School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) believes that school social workers shine brightly for their students, families, and school communities. Shining hope. Shining understanding. Shining respect.
 
While school social workers shine their light of compassion, empathy, and courage for their students, families, and colleagues every day, this week we shine our appreciation on school social workers for all they do. Shine on you beautiful stars of brilliance and love!
 
School social work is a specialized area of practice within the broad field of the social work profession. School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to apply social work theory, frameworks, and models to a school setting. School social workers are master’s-level trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, classroom support, coaching and consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators, as well as provide individual and group counseling and systems work. School social workers empower students and families to remove barriers to learning that often stem from outside the school building. School social workers' training includes specialized preparation in cultural and linguistic responsive practices, trauma sensitive schools, restorative justice, resilience building, social and emotional wellness, systems theory, social justice, risk assessment and intervention, and crisis support.
 
In honor of School Social Work Week, you can show your appreciation to school social workers by sending them a personalized note, adding a blurb to a newsletter, or having students and staff create cards. School social workers can honor the profession by becoming a member of the Wisconsin School Social Work Association.
 
Eligible school districts, schools that participate in the Private School Choice Programs, and independent charter schools can receive reimbursement for specific expenditures on social workers. Visit the DPI’s website to learn more about the Aid for Mental Health Program to fill out a claim form. The deadline for reimbursement for the 2020-21 school year is March 12, 2022.
 
Subscriber submission: Wisconsin DPI's Student Services/Prevention and Wellness team