School Social Work Now!

Supporting Innovative Practice, Effective

Leadership & Applied Research 

University of Southern Florida 2012 Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide    

The Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide is designed to provide accurate, user-friendly information. The Guide is not a program but a tool that provides a framework for schools to assess their existing or proposed suicide prevention efforts (through a series of checklists) and provides resources and information that school administrators can use to enhance or add to their existing program. First, checklists can be completed to help evaluate the adequacy of the schools' suicide prevention programs. Second, information is offered in a series of issue briefs corresponding to a specific checklist. Each brief offers a rationale for the importance of the specific topic together with a brief overview of the key points. The briefs also offer specific strategies that have proven to work in reducing the incidence of suicide, with references that schools may then explore in greater detail. A resource section with helpful links is also included. The Guide provides information to schools to assist them in the development of a framework to work in partnership with community resources and families.  Download parts or complete guide, free.  

Trauma In the Deaf Population  

Restorative practices is a social science that studies how to build social capital and achieve social discipline through participatory learning and decision-making.  The use of restorative practices helps to:  reduce crime, violence and bullying, improve human behavior, strengthen civil society, provide effective leadership, restore relationships, and repair harm.  The IIRP [International Institute for Restoratice Practices] distinguishes between the terms restorative practices and restorative justice. [It] views restorative justice as a subset of restorative practices.  Restorative justice is reactive, consisting of formal or informal responses to crime and other wrongdoing after it occurs.  

The Power of Developmental Assets in Building Behavioral Adjustment Among Youth Exposed to Community Violence: A Multidisciplinary Longitudinal Study of Resilience   

This research study examined the behavioral functioning of youth exposed to community violence. It focused on how developmental assets may promote resilience into adulthood among urban youth exposed to community violence. Researchers and practitioners have repeatedly noted great variation in the behavioral functioning of youth exposed to community violence. Several studies across various fields have documented the harmful effects of exposure to violence, while other studies have considered how developmental assets promote positive youth development. Yet, few studies focus on resilient youth. And few studies have examined how developmental assets may shape resilient trajectories into adulthood for youth exposed to violence.

The authors examined multilevel longitudinal data from 1,114 youth ages 11-16 from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods. The researchers considered whether baseline family, peer and neighborhood-level protective factors predicted behavioral adjustment 3-7 years later among youth. Behavioral adjustment varied across waves and by exposure to violence. In the short term, being a victim was associated with increased aggression and delinquency. In the long term, though, both victims and witnesses to violence had higher chances of behavioral adjustment. Family, friend and neighborhood support, family boundaries and collective efficacy had protective effects. Also, family support, positive peers and meaningful opportunities changed the effect of exposure to violence, increasing the chances of behavioral adjustment. Programs that help nurture these specific supports and opportunities can promote positive behavioral trajectories and resilience.  Complete study. 

Advocates Raise Concerns on Looming "Sequester" Cuts  

courtesy Education Week

Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll on the Public's Attitudes Toward Public Schools

A poll released by Phi Delta Kappa and Gallup reveals that while presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney gets the nod on public education among independents, President Barack Obama takes the lead among respondents overall, reports Kimberly Shannon in Education Week. Those polled were asked their opinions on separate issues within the realm of public education, including finances, standards, bullying, and more. Respondents were divided on some issues, like teacher evaluation and grading schools. However, a majority agreed that schools should discipline children for bullying, parents should have more control over failing schools, and balancing the budget is more important than improving education. And though respondents favored balancing the budget, they agreed that funding is the biggest problem facing education. As to other issues, a majority of Americans believe children of illegal immigrants should not get free public education, school lunches, or other benefits; a majority did not vote in an election that affected local schools; and a majority feel Common Core Standards will make the U.S. more competitive, improve schools, and provide consistency between districts within a state and between states. A majority also feel high-quality standards won't hurt our chances of closing achievement gaps.  Download the poll. 

New this week:  Arlington Hts, IL (.5 FTE)  Mansfield, OH (PT)   New Haven, CT  Newark, NJ

Dean, LSU, College of Human Sciences & Education     

Continued this week:  Evanston, IL (PT)     Highland Park, MI     Lewiston, ME

Woodridge, IL     Connecticut (Various Locations)

Search Tool Helps Users Find Grants to Fund Youth Programs 

The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs has created an online Web Tool that allows users to search for federal grant opportunities by youth topic or federal agency. The tool uses a filter to search for grants that are likely to fund youth programs. To learn more and determine if you are eligible, click here.

Milk Carton Art Contest   

Made By Milk Carton Construction Contest, a unique nationwide design competition, promotes nutrition and provides educators with a platform to teach a valuable, hands-on lesson in recycling.Schools across the U.S. can win up to $5,000 by having classroom teams design and construct creations made from empty school milk cartons. Entry deadline is Nov. 16, 2012.  Learn more. 

Learning and Leadership Grants

The National Education Association Foundation will fund the Learning & Leadership grant to support public school teachers, public education support professionals, and/or faculty and staff in public institutions of higher education to improve practice, curriculum, and studentachievement. Grants will be provided to individuals (to fund participation in high-quality professional development experiences, such as summer institutes or action research) or groups (to fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson study, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff new to an assignment) in the amounts of $2,000 or $5,000 respectively. The deadline to submit applications is October 15, 2012.  Click here for more.

Lowe's Toolbox for Education 

Lowe's Toolbox for Education funds school improvement projects initiated by parents in recognition of the importance of parent involvement in education. Maximum award: $5,000. Eligibility: K-12 schools (including charter, parochial, private, etc.) or parent groups (associated with a nonprofit K-12 school). Deadline: October 12, 2012.  Learn more.

Social Work Education, Research, and Practice Grant Program   

The New York Community Trust will provide funding to academic institutions and nonprofits that partner with academic institutions both nationwide and in New York City that build an evidence base for social work intervention. Grants may be used to support projects that are innovative in both the classroom and field and connect training and research to communities, make macro practice a priority and improve training in policy, management, and leadership, and support research that helps social workers improve practice and addresses larger social issues. The deadline is September 28, 2012, although applications are accepted year round.  Awards in December.  For more information and to apply click here.    

Good News for SSWs: Race to the Top Grant Applications

NAPSO co-chair, Myrna Mandlawitz, shared information on the new RTTT grant applications. The "eligible applicants" are school districts, consortia of school districts, and education service agencies. Applicants can focus in on a few schools within a district, specific grades, or even specific subject areas. The only caveat is that a school district can only be part of one application. The other important feature is the heavy emphasis on "personalizing" and "individualizing" education. In fact, "personalized learning environment" is an absolute priority all applicants must meet.

Applications are expected out in early July and will be due in October, with the hope of awarding of 15-20 grants in December. It is important to check if your school/district is applying for the grant. If so, it is an opportunity to "get to the table" and help the district to address the social and emotional needs of students and recognize that school social workers provide many services in these arenas.  More information. 

CVS/Caremark Community Grants are currently accepting proposals for programs, targeting children under age 21 with disabilities, which address health and rehabilitation services or enabling physical movement and play. Maximum award: $5,000. Eligibility: non-profits located in states that also have CVS stores. Deadline: October 31, 2012.  More info.

• increasing research projects and their application within the school environment;
• developing a national school social work role framework paper;
• establishing a National Center for School Social Work Practice, Leadership and Research, a long-term goal,
• hosting the 2nd Louisiana State-wide School Social Work Conference, February 18-19, 2013, in New Orleans, LA, at the Tulane University Lavin-Bernick Center.   
• presenting the 4th National School Social Work Research Summit.  Watch for details to come. 

If you have interest in participating in any of these activities, contact Judie Shine.  ACSSW strives to be inclusive and transparent in all of its activities and welcomes, whether lengthy or short, the participation of its members.