School Social Work
School social workers use a wide range of evidence-based strategies to ensure that students are in the classroom physically and mentally ready to learn. They utilize a strength-based approach that views students and organizations as parts of systems. The functioning of and relationships within and between systems are enhanced to improve student learning. School social workers understand how to go out into the greater community to engage families and community organizations to create better outcomes for students (e.g., increased academic achievement, safety, attendance, and social-emotional-behavioral functioning). School districts usually focus their school social work services on students who are struggling in school due to barriers to learning that may exist within the students or their environments.
School Social Work Week: March 7-13, 2021
School social work week represents a time when the incredible work of those in the profession is especially recognized. See the 2021 School Social Work Proclamation from State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor, recognizing the contributions of school social workers.
This challenging year, as every year, school social workers have led the way in fostering connections with and amongst students, staff, families, and community members to turn new problems into new opportunities. School social workers do not look to place blame for a problem, but instead ask, “How can I help?”. School social workers make the world a better place.
Connect with the School Social Work Program Consultant
In Wisconsin, the DPI has a position called School Social Work Consultant, whose job is to support the field in understanding and implementing best practices and provide guidance on a range of topics that impact students across the state. Anyone can reach out with questions, concerns, feedback, or support including school social workers, teachers, other pupil services providers, administrators, parents, and even students.
Current DPI School Social Work Consultant: Julie Incitti, MSW, CAPSW
Phone: (608) 266-0963
Connect by calling, emailing, joining the School Social Work email list
Evidence-Based Practices
- Social Work Policy Institute Evidence-Based Practice
- Evidence-Based Behavioral Health Screening Tools
- Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice
- Evidence-Informed School Social Work
- Evidence-Based Suicide Prevention Screening in Schools
- Using Data to Document the Impact of School Social Work Services
- Addressing Barriers to Student Learning & Promoting Healthy Development: A Usable Research Base
- Annotated Lists of Empirically Supported/Evidence-Based Interventions for School-Aged Children and Adolescents
- SchoolSocialWork.net is a free, online resource and community dedicated to supporting the professional practice of school social workers and other school mental health professionals.