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School Social Work NOW
Supporting Innovative Practice, Effective Leadership & Applied Research
April 2011 - Vol 1, Issue 27 |
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| Greetings! | |
If you wanted to help write the national School Social Work Role Paper and missed both of the initial conference calls last week, please contact the SSW Role Paper Project. Your name will be added to the work group and you will be included in any future calls and wiki work. This is an exciting and very necessary document that will help to strengthen and unify the profession. Your input is welcomed!
Only 10 days before the Early Bird discount flies away!! On-line registration for the 2nd National Research-to-Practice Summit to be held June 26th-28th at the Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, IL, is READY!! REGISTER NOW to take advantage of the $25 Early Bird discount which ends May 7th. Standard rates go into effect on May 8th. See brochure for more rate details.
Read 2010's participant comments and review 2010 Summit Evaluation data. The opportunities to personally engage in this discussion and the National School Social Work Research Effort are abundant and are only limited by your time and prior commitments. Bring your research questions or projects and gain insights and skills by interfacing with colleagues and university level educators and researchers. School teams are encouraged to attend and enjoy a 10% Team Discount. See brochure for details.
This year, continuing the theme of Transforming the Practice of School Social Work unveiled last year, participants will explore and engage in dialogue around The Changing Role of School Social Work Practice, focusing on research to practice and practice to research. This year features:
Leticia Villarreal Sosa, Dominican University
Sandra Sarmiento and Jan Kutter,
East Aurora School District 131, IL
Laura Richard, Louisiana State University
Dena Radtke, Milwaukee Public Schools
Milka Ramirez, Chicago Public Schools
Ami Flammini, IL PBIS Network
Nic Dibble, WI State SSW Consultant
Other practitioners from WY, IL and WI who are engaged in various types of service delivery models will also be sharing their experiences.
Monday night, June 27th, will offer an optional opportunity to sample the "Big City" highlights of Chicago. Watch this newsletter and the ACSSW Website for updated information or contact us at Summit 2011 or Judie Shine.
Hilton Indian Lakes Resort room reservations may be made online. Enter Group/Convention Code: ACS to insure special Summit rate of $99/night. Reservations may also be made by calling 1-800-334-3417; use the code to identify the group. Lastly, if you appreciate this newsletter and have found an item or two of interest over the many weeks, please forward to a colleague. Thanks!!
President |
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SSW Jobs Links | |
New this week: Wausau, WI Woodland Park, CO
Woodstock, VT
Continuing posts: Evanston, IL (summer) Hillsdale, NJ
Chaska, MN New York, NY (fluent bi-lingual; charter)
NY, NY: Director of Student Services NYC Charter School
Kansas City, MO (p-t) Kankakee, IL Beach Park, IL
St. Charles, IL Prospect, CT (anticipated) Old Lyme, CT
ConnecticutJobs Washington, DC Johnston, IA
Tolleson, AZ (LCSW) |
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Practice Points | |
Harnessing the Power of Play Opportunities for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
The amount and type of play necessary for children's development can be a contentious issue among educators and parents. However--despite the ongoing debate between the value of a play-based versus strictly academic curriculum--the literature is clear about the substantive benefits of play, particularly for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). What is the nature of play for children with ASD? What are the developmental opportunities for these children at various stages of play? What are the goals, learning strategies, and necessary accommodations/modifications necessary for play to be incorporated in a student's individualized education plan? What particular challenges do the child, family, and school face? Read more courtesy of Liana Lowenstein.
Protecting Children from the Consequences of Divorce A Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Parenting on Children's Coping Processes
It is well documented that psychosocial stressors constitute a significant, pervasive risk for children's mental health problems (e.g., Grant et al., 2006) and that coping processes mediate and moderate the relation between stressors and mental health problems (e.g., Compas, Connor-Smith, Saltzman, Thomsen, & Wadsworth, 2001). The literature suggests that engagement coping efforts, or efforts oriented toward the stressor or one's emotional reaction, are generally associated with reduced mental health problems, whereas disengagement coping efforts, or efforts oriented away from the stressor or one's emotional reaction, are typically associated with higher mental health problems (Compas et al., 2001). Coping efficacy, the belief that one can deal with the demands of and emotions caused by stressful situations, has also been shown to negatively relate to mental health problems and to mediate the relations between active coping and mental health problems
(Sandler, Tein, Mehta, Wolchik, & Ayers, 2000). Read more.
School Climate Survey Provide Your Input
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools' Safe and Supportive Schools (S3) Technical Assistance Center announces the third in its series of School Climate Survey Webinars. The webinar is entitled: "Survey Administration," and will be offered twice to accommodate schedules.
Session 1: Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 4:00 pm − 5:30 pm, EDT
Session 2: Thursday, April 28, 2011, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, EDT
Register for one of the sessions at Register Now. Those who successfully register will receive an e-mail confirmation. Information on how to connect to each Webinar will be sent to those who register the evening before the event. However, as space is limited, please register now. The Center will maintain a waiting list and contact those on the list if space becomes available. For more information email SSSTA. ACSSW apologizes if you are unable to register due to the short notice we received. |
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| Research Highlights |
 Warning Signs for Non-Graduation from Baltimore
Analysis of administrative student record data can only begin to uncover factors
associated with dropping out. Behind records of chronic absenteeism, suspension, and course failure are the life issues that contribute to these patterns of behavior. Issues related to family (caring for siblings, other relatives, or one's own children), finances (the need for employment), and health (both physical and mental) certainly contribute to the behavioral warning indicators, and future BERC research will address these issues. But addressing the dropout issue begins with analyzing the factors that can alert schools to begin early interventions that could potentially get students back on track to graduation. Learn more.
Parents as Moderators of the Impact of School Norms and Peer Influences on Aggression in Middle School Students
This study examined parenting variables as protective factors to reduce the influence of school and peer risk factors on adolescents' aggression. Five waves of data spanning 3 years were collected from 5,581 students at 37 schools who began the 6th grade in 2001 or 2002. Class-level and perceived school norms supporting aggression, delinquent peer associations, parental support for fighting and support for nonviolence, and parental involvement were each associated with physical aggression across all waves. Each parenting variable moderated 1 or more risk factors, with the magnitude of many effects varying by gender and decreasing over time. Implications for the role parents may play in reducing the impact of school and peer risk factors for aggression are discussed. Read full study. |
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In the News | |
Many Public-School Reformers Have Private-School Backgrounds
A large number of those leading the effort to reform public education attended private schools. Reformers who attended private schools include President Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Michelle Rhee, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, Cathleen Black and several lawmakers who were key supporters of No Child Left Behind. This article questions whether their educational background gives them a better perspective or an immediate bias -- or whether it has no effect on their decision-making. More.
Child Gets Plastic Surgery to Avoid Bullies
Parents of 7-year-old girl teased for her ears said surgery was the only option to avoid bullying. Watch brief video for more.
Public Supports Protecting Children's Programs in Federal Budget
A new First Focus poll released [4/26] . . . reveals strong public support for protecting federal investments that benefit children. In a battery of survey questions identifying a series of potential cuts that Congress may consider in the broader budget debate, the survey finds that voters are more likely to hold harmless programs affecting kids than any other programs on the chopping block. Furthermore, results from the survey reveal cuts to programs affecting kids prove just as unpopular as cuts affecting seniors. In fact, voters are as likely to oppose reductions in Medicaid as in Medicare. Cutting programs is not seen as the only option. Read more details.
Nearly 15% of Latina Teens Attempt Suicide, Says Study Culture Shock, Stress Often to Blame
Nearly 15% of Hispanic teens surveyed in 2009 attempted suicide in the previous year - compared with 10% of all city high school girls, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
reported. It's part of a national crisis: 11% of Hispanic girls across the country admitted a suicide attempt. But New York's higher rates - particularly in Brooklyn, with a 21% rate - are causing concern. "They don't have high rates of suicide in their mother countries, so what is happening here?" said Rosa Gil, who runs the program Life is Precious for suicidal Hispanic girls in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Click here to read more. |
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Grants & Funding | |
Captain Planet Foundation: Grants for the Environment
The Captain Planet Foundation funds hands-on environmental projects that encourage innovative programs that empower children and youth around the world to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities. Maximum award: $2,500. Eligibility: 501(c)3 organizations. Deadline: June 30, 2011. For more information, click here.
IES Releases FY2012 Funding Announcement for Six Grant Competitions in Education Research and Training Connecting Research, Policy and Practice
IES has released FY2012 funding announcements for grant competitions in education and special education research and training. The six competitions are: Education Research Grants (84.305A); Special Education Research Grants (84.324A); Postdoctoral Research Training Program in the Education Sciences (84.305B); Postdoctoral Research Training Program in Special Education (84.324B); Statistical and Research Methodology in Education (84.305D); and Evaluation of State and Local Education Programs and Policies (84.305E). The Request for Applications for each competition is available at Applications. |
| More Requests for Research Assistance | |
School Social Work & Delinquency
Your participation is requested in a national survey focusing on school social work and delinquency. The primary investigator, Dr. Lauri Goldkind, is an assistant professor at the Graduate School of Social Service at Fordham University. Her work focuses on the intersection of the juvenile justice and education systems. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and as a token of the researchers appreciation, they are offering a $5.00 Starbucks gift card to the first 250 respondents. If you have already responded to the survey via other means, thank you! Survey link: School Social Work and Delinquency
ONLY 20 MORE RESPONSES NEEDED!!
An Examination of Homophobia and Social Work Practice Among a Sample of School Social Workers
Milka Ramírez, MSW, a member of the American Council for School Social Work and the School Social Work Association of America and a school social worker in Chicago, is conducting her doctoral research and would like you to participate in the 30 minute survey. Please take time to support this important research. Click the following link to participate in this essential work:
Homophobia & Social Work
School Social Workers and Reactive Attachment Disorder
Ms. Francesca Bautista is studying Reactive Attachment Disorder at the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse. If you are a social worker, please respond to this short 26 question survey regarding Reactive Attachment Disorder. The results will be used to assess current training and knowledge on Reactive Attachment Disorder. Reactive Attachment Disorder Survey.
Factors Impacting School Social Workers
FBAs and BIPs are "naturals" for school social workers. Your participation in this brief 10 minute survey would further the knowledge base about and of school social workers. Dan Koonce, PhD, Technical Assistance Coordinator with the Illinois State Technical Assistance Center-PBIS Network, is principal investigator on this study. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to respond to items regarding the activities you are engaged in as a school social worker. Please read the Consent Form, which explains the experimental procedures and your participation in more detail. Click here to participate: Factors Impacting School Social Workers.
ADHD and Collaboration Processes in Schools
"I am a doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy and Practice seeking school social workers in urban elementary school settings to complete an online survey about ADHD and collaboration processes in schools for use towards research for a doctoral dissertation. Participation is voluntary, confidential and anonymous. Completion of the survey takes approximately 10 minutes and can be done from any computer with internet access. If you are interested, or know of anyone who may meet the criteria for participation and would be interested in completing the survey, below you will find the link to a secure database for completion of the survey." For more information contact: Mery Diaz, LCSW, Doctoral Student, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice Short survey link or Full survey link |
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ACSSW Activities | |
ACSSW's present major activities include:
- increasing research projects and their application within the school environment,
- developing a national school social work role paper,
- a more long-term goal, establishing a National Center for School Social Work Research, and,
- developing the 2nd National School Social Work Research Summit to be held June 26-28 in Bloomingdale, IL, at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort.
If you have interest in assisting with one or more of these projects, don't hesitate to contact Judie Shine. ACSSW strives to be inclusive and transparent in all of its activities and welcomes the participation, whether short or lengthy, of its members. |
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