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.
New School Social Worker Resource Sharing Sessions 2021-2022
This is an opportunity geared towards individuals new or fairly new, to the field of school social work - all school social workers are welcome. Drop in to chat about resources available through DPI, ask practice questions, and get support from the state’s school social work consultant and special guests. General session topics are provided, however discussions may stray from the topic. This is not a training and does not supplant coursework from a university program, but instead it is another place to ask questions and learn about state and national resources. These sessions will not be recorded, however resources shared will be added to this webpage.
These sessions are drop-in and no registration is needed.
- Cost: Free
- Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., August - April
- Dates, Topics and Link to Join Sessions
Resources from Each Session:
- NASW Standards, SSWAA Practice Model, State and National Associations Resource List
- Pupil Records and Confidentiality Resource List
- Comprehensive School Mental Health Framework (CSMHS), Multi-level Systems of Support (MLSS), Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS), Risk Assessment
School Social Work (SSW) Resources - Special Education School Social Worker Resources
- Attendance Improvement
- ESSA - Supporting Students in Out-of-Home Care, Child Welfare, Cultural Responsiveness, LGBTQ+
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.