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School Social Work Now!
Supporting Innovative Practice, Effective
Leadership & Applied Research
November 2012 - Vol 3, Issue 9 |
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| Greetings! | |
The election is over and the real work begins anew. No matter your political preferences and allegiances, the need to work together is uppermost. It will take a good deal of determination to heal after this contentious campaign, but it must be done. For me, the greatest relief is the cessation of robocalls--even though both Clint Eastwood and Bill Clinton "called"!
Hurricane Sandy's touch will be felt by many for a long, long time. It's been estimated that somewhere around 40,000 people are homeless as a result of Sandy. As fellow citizens along the East coast try to put their lives back together, let us continue to send our prayers and thoughts for a speedy but thorough recovery. The Quick Links column on the left lists some resources for school personnel to assist students and families through the trauma of this natural disaster. Also check out the Healing After Trauma Skills (HATS) Manual for ideas.
Thanksgiving is a couple short weeks away, and the holiday season is fast approaching. This may be a difficult season for many, especially along the coast for those who are dealing with the flooding, destruction, grieving and rebuilding that follow such overwhelming devastation. Please be generous and find it in your heart to donate to the Red Cross. It's quick, easy, and much needed. Please don't delay. These are critical days. No amount is too small.
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Lastly, please follow us on Facebook and tweet us on Twitter! Help to "spread the word" and get the name of ACSSW out there! Links are below.
Judith Kullas Shine
President |
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ACSSW Conference in New Orleans
February 18-19 | |
SAVE THE DATES!!
ACSSW -- Louisiana Conference
The Science & Art
of School Social Work
February 18-19, 2013
Tulane University, Lavin-Bernick Center, New Orleans
Hotel Accommodations
Refer to American Council for SSW for special rate. Reserve early. Rooms are limited due to other conferences in the city. Reserved rooms may be cancelled up to 3 days prior to arrival without penalty.
2013 NOLA Conference Brochure
Team discounts are available for groups of 3 or more from the same district. |
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Recommended Read for November | |
Hot Off the Press!!
Supporting and Educating
Traumatized Students
A Guide for School-Based Professionals
eds. Eric Rossen & Robert Hull
Published by Oxford University Press
Combining knowledge of the cognitive and behavioral effects of trauma, evidence-based interventions, educational best practices, and the experiences of veteran educators, Supporting and Educating Traumatized Students: A Guide for School-Based Professionals presents a new framework for assisting students with a history of trauma. Designed specifically for busy educators who work with traumatized students daily, this volume brings together practitioners, researchers, and other experts with backgrounds in education, school psychology, school nursing, school social work, school counseling, school administration, clinical psychology, resilience, and trauma studies to examine the impacts of numerous traumatic experiences on school-aged children and youth. The book provides practical, effective, and implementable strategies and resources for adapting and differentiating instruction, modifying the classroom and school environments, and building competency for students affected by trauma.
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Come on . . . Follow Us!! |
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Practice Points | |
Psychological First Aid for Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Research suggests that most homeless youth have experienced multiple traumatic events. While a large number of youth had traumatic events before they left home, many are re-traumatized once they arrive on the street. . . For children and adolescents, trauma can interfere with normal development and the ability to form healthy relationships and, if untreated, may lead to lifelong problems including school and learning problems, depression, anxiety, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and chronic health problems. Framework and model intervention.
School Discipline and Social Work Practice: Application of Research and Theory to Intervention
. . . School disciplinary practices have received little attention from social work researchers (key exceptions are Dupper, 1994 and Dupper & Meyer-Adams, 2002). Some school social workers and agency or private practice social workers working with children and adolescents may be unfamiliar with extant research on discipline and not know that although discipline may be doled as a remedy of school problems, it may actually harm children. This knowledge gap may limit social workers' understanding of their young clients and their effectiveness with them. Not being able to consider how school- based factors contribute to young clients' functioning, practitioners may develop overly narrow intervention plans that may help these clients but miss opportunities for greater and larger systems change efforts.
The literature provides three pathways for understanding the iatrogenic effect of school discipline on school children: (1) research and theory pertaining to student misbehavior and other symptoms as psychological sequelae of harmful school discipline, (2) operant conditioning and social learning theories on the ways students may learn misbehaviors as an unintended product of school discipline, and (3) social and political theories that focus on the problematic nature of students'relationship with school in the wake of exposure to discipline. The research and theory provide fertile ground for recommendations to social workers practicing with school children on how they might differentially assess the multiple ways that school experiences may be contributing to the problems that have brought their young clients in for assistance and design appropriate interventions shaped by these determinations. Complete article.
The State of School Social Work: Findings from the National School Social Work Survey (2008)
School social work is a large and growing subspecialty in social work practice; however, little is known about present school social work practice from a national perspective. The National School Social Work Survey (n=1,639) represents the first data in over ten years to describe the diverse practice contexts and interventions employed by school social workers. The survey also seeks to better understand school social work practice in light of the significant educational reforms of the past decade that are increasingly shaping student experiences.Findings from this survey indicate that the characteristics of school social workers, the context in which they practice, and their practice choices remain largely unchanged over the past 10 years. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed based on these findings. Read full survey. |
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Leadership News | |
Starpower Secrets: the Role of "Leadership" Is Evolving, but Most Leaders Are Not Adapting
The job of today's leader is so fragile that even the best, at times, can't hang on. Without the ability to get others to buy into our vision and support our work, we are on shaky ground. The role of "leader" today is evolving due to accountability, community demands, and changing attitudes about what people expect from leaders, and most leaders are not adapting. Leadership has changed, but somebody forgot to tell the leaders. A leader has to develop starpower to stay these days. Read more.
Transitioning Social Work Leaders: the New Educational Challenge
. . . [E]merging leaders recently talked to Social Work Today about why young leaders are so important to the profession and what educational institutions can do to help students prepare for leadership roles. A successful transition of leadership, these emerging leaders say, will require a give-and-take relationship with younger social workers seeking the wisdom and expertise of their older counterparts and more established leaders willing to accept the new ideas young people bring to the profession. Complete article. |
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Research Highlights | |
Child and Adolescent Bi-polar Disorder: Focus on Differential Diagnosis and Management
Bipolar disorder is a common mood disorder that has a highly variable age of onset. It is most commonly diagnosed in persons between the age of 18 and 24, but as many as 59% of adult patients with bipolar disorder experienced their first episode before the age of 18. The expression of bipolar symptoms is developmentally variable among children and adolescents. Youth may experience a variety of overlapping, comorbid conditions, such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or substance abuse. Confusion with other conditions and a limited understanding of the incidence of bipolar disorder among patients with early onset
(adolescent onset) and very early onset (child onset) contribute to the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of this disease by physicians. The purpose of the present monograph is to provide current information related to bipolar disorder in children and adolescents to help improve the identification and treatment of young people. Complete monograph. |
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In the News | |
Why You Should Talk to Kids About Cyberbullying
There is a lot to do before your kid's school year gets started. Hopefully, having a talk about cyberbullying will be on your to-do list. According to a recent study by internet security company McAfee, kids are witnessing and sometimes engaging in cyber bullying. Almost one in four of teens claimed to be a target of cyberbullying and two-thirds of all teens have witnessed cruel behavior online, notes the Teen Internet Behavior study.
But only one in 10 parents are aware that their teens could be targets of cyberbullying.
Today's schoolyard is Facebook, with slightly more than 92% of teens saying cruel behavior takes place on the site. Kids say bullies also make attacks on Twitter (23.8%), MySpace (17.7%) and Instant Messager (15.2%).
But teens will stand up to bullies online. When witnessing others being attacked, 40% of teens have told the person to stop, 20.7% have told an adult but 6.3% joined in. When being attacked themselves, 65.8% of teens responded to the attacker (with 35% responding in person). Click for Infographic. |
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Webinars |
Dr. Rick Hanson presents a free seven-part video series, The Compassionate Brain,that explores effective ways to change your brain and heart and life.Each week Dr. Hanson will be joined by a world-class scholar/teacher, including Richie Davidson, Dan Siegel, Tara Brach, Dachar Keltner, Kelly McGonigal, Kristin Neff, and Jean Houston. They'll discuss different ways to use the power of neuroplasticity--how the mind can change the brain to transform the mind--to open the heart, build courage, find compassion, forgive oneself and others, and heal the world.
Can't make a live session? On-demand streaming videos will be available a few days after each session's conclusion. CE credits are available for this free Online Event Series. Weekly beginning October 8, 2012, 8 p.m. ET. For weekly topics and to register, click here.
ARCHIVED & AVAILABLE
Young families who are homeless often have unique needs based on both the challenges of trauma and homelessness and their developmental stage. A developmental perspective is essential to tailoring services to meet the needs of this population. During the first session of this course, we will provide an overview of development from birth through young adulthood; child and adult brain development; expected behaviors and responses at each stage; and the impact of trauma on development. Register to access.
Understanding the Impact of Trauma in the Lives of Displaced Children and Families
The prevalence of traumatic stress in the lives of displaced children and families is extraordinarily high. Experiences of trauma can have a significant impact on how families interact with each other and with service providers. In this webinar, participants will learn about the connection between traumatic stress, displacement, and homelessness; the mind-body response to stress and trauma; factors that influence our responses to trauma, particularly cultural factors; and the impact of chronic trauma on all areas of functioning. Register here to access.
Rural and LGBTQ Youth Suicide
The Children's Safety Network released an archived webinar on: Youth Suicide Prevention Community of Practice, Special Populations in Youth Suicide Prevention, and Rural and LGBTQ Youth. Presenters addressed two populations at increased risk for youth suicide and shared strategies to reduce these risks. Speakers also discussed obstacles and barriers unique to rural populations. To download the archived webinar click here.
This Teen Screen Webinar has been archived and is now available for your viewing. Listen to a discussion on the signs and symptoms of eating disorders, the latest treatment strategies, and co-managing these disorders with the clinical team to avoid relapse and achieve a successful outcome. Access archive.
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Healthy Students Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center is pleased to announce that the course, Large Events Emergency Management at Schools (K-12 population) is now being offered to provide emergency management training for schools. This course focuses on enhancing emergency management planning efforts throughout districts and schools by providing guidelines, checklists, and specific action items for school officials to consider. For more information and to access this course series, click here. |
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SSW Job Links | |
New this week: Elgin, IL Garden City, MI Shreveport, LA St. Paul, MN
Continued this week: Central Falls, RI Crescent City, CA Detroit, MI
Hartford, CT 13-14 sy New Lenox, IL (Mat Lv) Newark, NJ (HS)
Newark, NJ (MS) West Newton, MA (PT)
Connecticut (Various Locations)
Louisiana (Various Locations)
Dean, LSU, College of Human Sciences & Education |
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Calls for Proposals |
Dissertation Research for the 25th National Symposium on Doctoral Research in Social Work
Deadline: December 31, 2012
The College of Social Work and the Doctoral Student Organization (DSO) at The Ohio State University invites recent Ph.D. and D.S.W. recipients in social work to submit abstracts describing their dissertation research for the 25th National Symposium on Doctoral Research in Social Work held March 28, 2013, in the Ohio Union on the Ohio State University campus.
As part of the College's year long focus, the theme for this year's symposium keynote address will be "Be the Change." Dissertations completed between May 2011 and December 2012 are eligible for consideration. The authors of the selected abstracts will be invited to present their research at the Symposium, where a renowned researcher and scholar will deliver the keynote address. More info and submission guidelines.
Special Issue on School Social Work and Military-connected Schools: New Directions in Practice, Research, Policy and National Leadership
Deadline: February 28, 2013
Guest Editors: Ron Avi Astor, University of Southern California Schools of Social Work and Education & Rami Benbenishty, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
Children & Schools will publish a special issue on the needs of public schools serving military-connected students. These students experience multiple deployments, family separations, and other stressful life events that their non-military-connected peers do not undergo. Recent studies have shown that supportive schools can shield students from intense depression, conduct problems, feelings of alienation, anxiety, and school failure; however, for schools to serve as protective settings for military-connected students, school personnel need to be aware of both this population's presence and its particular needs. . .
School social workers can take a national leadership role developing and implementing practices and policies that address the needs of military-connected students. . .
The overarching goal of this special issue will be to present articles that describe the current state of school social work knowledge and best practices in military-connected schools and provide insights and implications that will help teachers, principals, school social workers, and other staff better serve military-connected students in the future. Manuscripts examining the perspectives of school staff, students, and parents in military-connected schools and outlining best practices for such schools are encouraged. More information and to submit. |
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Grants & Funding | |
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.
Nestle Very Best in Youth Program Grants
The biennial Nestlé Very Best in Youth program was created to spotlight the best in youth leadership by identifying and honoring teenagers in the United States whose community service efforts are making a profound difference in the lives of others. Nestlé seeks to help young people who want to make a difference realize their dreams by donating $1,000 in the name of each winner to the charity of his or her choice. Nestlé also awards the winner a trip to Los Angeles, California, for the Very Best in Youth awards ceremony. More.
NEA Foundation-Nickelodean Big Help Grant
Sponsored by Nickelodeon and the NEA Foundation, NEA Foundation-Nickelodeon Big Help Grants provide up to $5,000 to K-8 public school educators in the United States. The Big Help Grants program is dedicated to the development and implementation of ideas, techniques, and approaches to addressing four key concerns - environmental awareness, health and wellness, students' right to a quality public education, and active community involvement. The grants target these four concerns as areas of great promise in helping students in the twenty-first century develop a global awareness that encourages and enables them to make a difference in their world. Applicants must be practicing U.S public school teachers or public school education support professional. The application process is the same as for the NEA Foundation's Student Achievement grants. Applicants should specify that their request is for the Big Help Grants program in their application. Application deadlines are February 1, 2013 and June 1, 2013. Link to RFP.
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. |
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ACSSW Activities | |
ACSSW's present activities include:
- 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. |
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