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School Social Work Now!
Supporting Innovative Practice,
Effective Leadership & Applied Research
May 2013 - Vol 3, Issue 31 |
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Greetings! | |
Please keep promoting Mental Health Awareness during the Month of May. We can helpt to fight the stima that many incur due to misinformation and fear. Download for free the new ACSSW Mental Health Awareness poster along with our Mental Health Awareness campaign materials. Green ribbon pins and the two pages of Talking Points sheets are still available so, please contact us if you want to order. Wear the pins year round to promote student mental health!! If you can not get a pin, make green ribbons to wear during the month of May. WI Congressional Representative Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) wore green on Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. Kudos, Rep. Moore!
Please become involved in this important issue that impacts all of our students to a greater or lesser degree. School Mental Health isn't only about children who have diagnosed mental health issues. It includes school climate and culture, resilience, and children who are struggling with minor functional impairments that impact their learning. Visit the link in the left hand column for more information.
Good mental health is so essential to positive school and life outcomes. Be a leader in School Mental Health. Please show your support today.
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Information from Every Child Matters Education Fund:
This week, a poll came out showing that 42% of Americans are unaware that the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land. This includes 12 percent who believe the law has been repealed by Congress, 7 percent who believe it has been overturned by the Supreme Court, and 23 percent who say they don't know enough to say what the status of the law is. The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land. It will improve access to quality care for millions of American children. The law:
- Prohibits insurers from denying insurance to children with serious illnesses, including pre-existing conditions such as asthma and diabetes
- Provides free preventative services, including immunizations
- Prevents insurance companies from imposing lifetime dollar limits. In the past, people with cancer or other serious illnesses in their childhood could run out of coverage later in life.
- Allows young adults to be covered through their parents' insurance until the age of 26. Three million young adults are now insured who otherwise would not have coverage.
To learn more, click here.
Judith Kullas Shine
President |
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Recommended Read for May | |
Since May is Mental Health Awareness month and the week of May 5th through 11th is Children's Mental Health Awareness week, it seems appropriate to offer a wide array of books to expand our understanding of mental health and strengthen our practice in this area.
This link provides an extensive list of mental health topics as well as lists of books under each topic. School social workers will find it a useful tool. It may also help to develop a Bibliotherapy list for those who run groups in schools or who are working with parents who are searching to help their child.
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Come on . . . Follow Us!! | |
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Practice Points | 
According to a recent Human Rights Campaign survey, LGBT students report being harassed at school-both verbally and physically-at twice the rate of non-LGBT youth. With heightened stressors like bullying, harassment and a lack of role models, LGBT students are also more likely to experience negative educational outcomes. Needless to say, LGBT students need allies.
Studies have shown that creating a supportive environment for LGBT students improves educational outcomes for all students, not just those who may identify as LGBT. And remember, it's not about politics-it's about supporting students. Any educator, regardless of his personal beliefs, can be a resource for LGBT students.
It all starts with awareness. More details here.
Preventing, Assessing, and Intervening in Teen Dating Abuse
A Training Toolkit for Specialized Instructional Support Personnel
AIR's National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments has released a training toolkit on teenage dating abuse for instructional support personnel [pupil personnel]. Research shows that schools can make a difference in preventing interpersonal teen violence. The training materials are designed for use by school staff-such as guidance counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, and other professionals-who provide services that address barriers to learning and assist students in being successful in school.
The materials and activities provide strategies for assessing whether dating abuse is occurring with a student relationship, intervening when required, and guidance on school norms and policies. More. |
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Leadership News | 
This paper discusses a model for leading with character, referred to as the character X factor. This model suggests that in order for leaders to lead with character, they must be aware of the tension between two seemingly positive traits, of conflicting virtues. Specifically, they must be aware of the tensions between humility and conviction, reluctance and courage, and vulnerability and integrity. Each of these six traits is ideal to a certain extent, but we argue that it is possible to have too much of a good thing. These virtues are ideal in moderation, but in excess may hamper leader performance. This balancing act of conflicting virtues is what defines leaders of character. The paper concludes with considerations of how to interview and select leaders with this character X factor. Continue.
This article presents the results of a study investigating how individuals currently in leadership positions within the Council on Social Work Education and the National Association of Social Workers perceive social work leadership. A random sample of 75 deans and directors and 75 executive directors and presidents were selected to participate in a telephone survey employing an eight-item, open-ended questionnaire. The findings define leadership within the social work profession and describe social work leadership as different from other professions. The participants identified essential skills for social work leaders and articulated a mission for social work leadership in the 21st century. Click then scroll down to read full article. |
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Research Highlights | 
. . . William Miller described Motivational Interviewing (MI) in a 1983 paper. He wrote the article during a sabbatical at the Hjellestad Clinic outside Bergen, Norway. While the first studies followed shortly after, Dr. Miller and colleagues published the first RCT [Randomized Controlled Trials] in 1988. More than 200 RCTs on MI effectiveness have now been published internationally. . .
In the 1990's, I came to better understand systematic reviews. These aim to provide an exhaustive summary of literature relevant to a research question. Of particular interest to this blog is the question: "Is MI effective?" Click here for more.
Youth suicide remains a substantial concern, representing the third leading cause of death for adolescents in the United States. From 1999 to 2006, 11% of all deaths among 12 to 19-year-olds were due to suicide, representing more than 16,000 deaths every year. Suicidal ideation, thoughts of harming or killing oneself, lies on a continuum of suicidal behavior and may be an important precursor to suicide attempts. A national epidemiological survey of adolescents in the United States found that 19% of high school students had suicidal ideation in the past year. There is reason to suspect that childhood exposure to violence and victimization are important determinants of suicidal ideation. Full report. |
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In the News | |
4 Pieces of Legislation Every Social Worker Should Know
Read very brief descriptions of these four pieces of proposed legislation, two of which directly impact schools and school social workers. Access here.
Researchers: Stop Using the Word "Bullying" in School
Schools that want to do a better job fighting bullying ought to start with one key step, a group of researchers said Tuesday: Stop using the term "bullying."
Because it's "being used for everything from rolling eyes to 'not wanting to be your friend' to sexual assault, the word 'bullying' has really obscured our ability to focus on what's happening" to children, said Dorothy Espelage of the University of Illinois.
Educators have been "spinning our wheels for decades" in a bid to treat bullying, but they're often hampered by policies that require mistreatment to be repetitive, for example, part of the classic definition of bullying. Complete article.
When Schools Cut Nurses
As prepared as other staff may be, they cannot play the role that a high quality school nurse does. Many staff may have CPR or other medical training, but they often have a class filled with students. School nurses are on-call and ready to intervene during medical issues, which do not just include children. A school is a building filled with staff who may have health issues, diagnosed or undiagnosed, of their own. More. |
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Survey Completion Requests |
Smith College Study on SSW Practice
Sarah Wettenstein, a student at Smith College School for Social Work in Northampton, MA, is conducting a research study about how school social workers practice and the different types of interventions they use. In particular, she is interested in looking at the barriers to participation in different kinds of school social work practice.
This is yet another opportunity to inform the school social work and related educational communities about the profession! It costs nothing but your time--which often is in short supply. But original research about what we do and how we do it is so very important. Please assist in this research by learning about the project or, for more information, email Sarah or call 860-604-1204.
You are invited to participate in a brief 20 minute anonymous survey. The Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine is conducting this survey (a) to understand the barriers to engaging caregivers in school-based mental health treatment, and (b) to develop best practices for engaging caregivers in school-based mental health treatment. Mental health professionals who provide school-based mental health services are invited to complete this survey. Participation involves completing a 20 minute online survey of mental health professionals' experiences with engaging caregivers in school-based mental health treatment. Your participation in this survey is completely voluntary. In addition, your responses are completely anonymous and confidential. If you decide to participate, you may discontinue participation at any time, or if you feel uncomfortable answering any questions, you may choose "skip" as the answer or you may leave the text box blank. By completing the survey, you are providing consent to participate in this evaluation. Please contact Dr. Nicole Evangelista Brandt or 410-706-0980 with questions. Thank you in advance! Go to School-Based Mental Health Survey. |
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Webinars | |
Practical Intervention Strategies to Address Impact of Trauma in Schools
In collaboration with the IDEA Partnership, the Quality and Evidence Base Practice (QEBP) Practice Group will host a webinar on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 1-2:30 p.m. ET.
The first presentation will feature Dr. Marleen Wong, Associate Dean and Clinical Professor, Director of Field Education School of Social Work University of Southern California who will share updated information on utilizing Psychological First Aid in the School Setting. Dr. Wong will provide an overview of Psychological First Aid: Listen Protect Connect, Model and Teach, a five phase strategy that helps students and staff to process a troubling experience which is interfering with the student's ability to learn and to fully participate in the classroom. There will also be a discussion on how to modify this model for Psychological First Aid with adults/peers in the school setting.
The second presentation will feature Dr. Eric Rossen, Director of Professional Development and Standards with the National Association of School Psychologists, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, licensed psychologist, and co-author of Supporting and Educating Traumatized Students: A Guide for School-Based Professionals. Dr. Rossen will discuss the core components of trauma-sensitive schools and the importance of integrating these initiatives into existing efforts. This presentation will also describe how schools can effectively utilize school-based mental health professionals and empower all educators to support students with trauma histories. Specific examples of practical, classroom-based strategies will be provided to illustrate how educators can supplemen more intensive direct interventions. Instructions to join the webinar
Free Podcast
Bad Memories
Memories and experiences from childhood can have good and bad long-term effects on a person's physical and emotional well-being. A recent CDC study in five states found that more than half of respondents reported some type of adverse childhood experience that continues to affect them today. In this podcast, Dr. Valerie Edwards discusses the lingering effects of adverse childhood experiences. Access here.
ARCHIVED & AVAILABLE
Understanding the Developmental Needs of Young Families Experiencing Homelessness
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.
Teasing, Taunting, Bullying, Harassment, Hazing, and Physical Aggression: Prevention, Strategic Intervention, and Crisis Management presented 5/11/2012 |
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Grants & Funding | |
Champion Creatively Alive Children
Crayola Creative Leadership Grants 2013
Crayola, in collaboration with the National Association of Elementary School Principals, is accepting applications for the 2013 Creative Leadership Grant program. The program will award up to twenty grants of $2,500 to elementary schools working to develop a team of leaders who can help increase arts-infused education within school and beyond. In addition, each program will receive an in-kind grant of Crayola products valued at $1,000.
Applications will only be accepted from principals who are members of NAESP. Every school that submits an application by June 10 will receive a Crayola product Classpack. Click to access application. Deadline: June 21, 2013.
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 deadline is June 1, 2013. Link to RFP. |
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ACSSW Activities | |
ACSSW's present activities include:
- supporting 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,
- designing professional development opportunities that address current issues and real job challenges. Watch for details to come.
- staying on top of national educational reforms and trends.
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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