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School Social Work NOW!
Supporting Innovative Practice,
Effective Leadership, and Applied Research
Vol 4, Issue 1
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Greetings!
School is in full swing! In my conversations with school social workers this week it appears that, for many, it was as though there was no summer break. As we know, the challenges our students and families face do not take a vacation simply because school is not is session or because we aren't readily available. ACSSW sends you wishes for a wonderful school year. Please contact us if you want to explore resources or need assistance. We'll do our best to help!
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September 30, 2013 -- Milwaukee, WI
Open to all school support staff.
Discounts available for teams of 3 or more.
ACSSW National School Social Work
Mental Health Institute
February 10-11, 2014 -- New Orleans, LA
Save the dates! Watch for details.
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ACSSW has been able to offer a weekly newsletter, School Social Work NOW!, for the last three years. This is the fourth year that we will do so. We average 40 newsletters a year, going to every-other-week in summer and skipping the occasional edition near major holidays. These newsletters are filled with article links to practice issues, resource links, brief leadership information, recommended books to read, research-based reports and studies, and more. If you have found the newsletter helpful, please let us know. And, if there are topics you'd like to see addressed, tell us that, too. We would also welcome guest editorials that are pertinent to the broad practice of school social work. Just click the link above!
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With the start of the new school year come resolutions to provide better services to children, youth and their families. ACSSW can help you do that! Why not treat yourself well and join ACSSW now. We are extending the join/renew discount ($95 instead of $110 for active members) to September 30th. Fulfill that New [School] Year Resolution and support the efforts being made on your behalf. We can't do it alone!
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Last--but definitely not least--a special "shout out" to our new/renewing members: Andrew B, Carly V, and Kerry W. Welcome!!!
Judith Kullas Shine
President
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Recommended Read for September
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 The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz
Barnes & Noble: "In The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love. The Four Agreements are: Be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, always do your best happiness, and love." This short book, 129 pages, can help you make long-lasting changes in your life.
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Milwaukee - September 30th
Team discounts available
Avoid late fee - Register by 9/23
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 Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) has been identified as a treatment with the greatest empirical support for use with traumatized children. The model was developed by Cohen, Deblinger, and Mannarino (2006) to integrate research-based programs developed to address what was found to be effective in reducing symptoms in children following sexual abuse. The model was later expanded to other traumas (traumatic grief, terror, physical abuse, life threatening illness, disaster) as well. Each of the factors seen as necessary for healing was developed into the components of TF-CBT. Full article. |
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by Ross Greene, PhD
"Oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD) refers to recurrent patterns of negativistic, defiant, disobedient and hostile behaviors toward authority figures that are developmentally inappropriate. Behaviors associated with ODD include temper outbursts; persistent stubbornness; resistance to directions; an unwillingness to compromise or negotiate with adults or peers; deliberate or persistent testing of limits; and verbal or physical aggression. These behaviors are primarily present at home and with people the child knows well. They often occur simultaneously with low self-esteem, mood instability, low frustration tolerance and swearing.
ODD has been relatively neglected as a distinct entity -- either because of its relatively recent introduction into diagnostic classifications or because of its overlap with conduct disorder. However, our clinic data set at Massachusetts General Hospital suggests that ODD is a highly diverse disorder that occurs simultaneously with a wide range of other disorders, including AD/HD. In some studies of individuals specifically referred to national centers, as high as 80 percent of children with AD/HD may also be diagnosed with ODD." More here.
Bubbles: A Social Skills Activity
Bubbles is a technique to help children learn social skills. Therapists, counselors, [school social workers!] and parents can use this activity to teach young children how to follow rules, wait patiently for their turn, share, and say please and thank you.
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This list is not a recipe, but more a map - a way of approaching leading as a learner, not from a pedestal or from the stands, but on the ground. The author suggests inclusivity, integrity, and humility among his tenets. Continue.
State Association presidents and boards may find this article particularly helpful.
If you are interested in furthering your career, joining a professional association is a good start. There are associations for nearly every profession or area of interest and many have national, state and regional chapters available to join. An association is a synergistic group, meaning that the effect of a collection of people is greater than just one person. So, how exactly can becoming part of this synergistic group help further your career goals? Here are some benefits of joining an association. Read more. |
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Trauma has sometimes been defined solely in reference to circumstances that are outside normal human experience. This definition does not fully encompass the experiences of the young boys and men of color who are the focus of this project. For them, traumatic experiences may become an almost routine part of everyday existence. Besides violence, assault, and other traumatic events, African American and Latino males often experience more subtle and insidious forms of trauma. Their exposure to discrimination, racism, oppression, and poverty is pervasive. When experienced chronically, these events have a cumulative impact that can be fundamentally life-altering. Such traumas are directly related to chronic fear and anxiety, with serious long-term effects on health and other life outcomes for males of color.
Yet to be fully developed is an understanding of the multiple ways in which repetitive and multigenerational exposure to violence, oppression, neglect, discrimination, criminalization and poverty can impact individuals and entire communities. This work focuses on boys and young men of color who have experienced and are still experiencing such forms of structural and systemic violence. A term related to trauma is "adversity," which helps to clarify what people of color experience in the United States. It includes not just experiences outside usual human experience, but those that have become all too much a part of everyday existence. Full report.
Risks Facing Young Children in Military Families
Just as we properly give attention to the needs of returning combat veterans, we also need to attend to the implications of their war experience for their children. This research brief, adapted from a comprehensive review by Child Trends of the scientific literature, examines the special circumstances that characterize the lives of children in military families, and highlights both what we know and don't know about how military life affects their well-being. Read more.
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... students' behavioral health is one of the first things taken into account. Many are dealing with problems at home, bullying in the classroom or issues of identity and "fitting in," especially with the omnipresent pressure of social media.
In Delaware, a pilot project designed to provide extra support for students in need was started by the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Families in 2010. Officials say early results are promising and are looking to expand the program this year.
This year, the state is looking to hire 30 licensed professionals, such as social workers and mental health counselors, to serve as middle school behavioral health consultants in each district. Some schools will get their own, and some will share. More.
Atlanta School Administrator Acquitted in Cheating Scandal
The first Atlanta school administrator to face trial in the largest school cheating scandal in the country was found not guilty on Friday. . .
[The] investigation resulted in 65 indictments against 35 teachers and administrators, among them Beverly Hall, the superintendent once highly regarded for her work turning around a district plagued by poor academic performance. More.
As another school year begins and old routines settle back into place, I wanted to share my story in honor of the teachers everywhere who care for our children.
I lost my 6-year-old daughter Ana Grace on Dec. 14, 2012, in the rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School. My son, who was in the building and heard the shooting, survived.
While waiting in the firehouse that day to hear the official news that our daughter was dead, my husband and I made promises to ourselves, to each other, and to our son. We promised to face the future with courage, faith, and love. Read more.
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Target Field Trip Grants fund scholastic outings for visits to art, science, and cultural museums, community service or civic projects, career enrichment opportunities, and other events or activities away from a school facility. Funds can cover field trip-related costs such as transportation, ticket fees, food, resource materials, and supplies. Maximum award: $700. Eligibility: teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, and classified staff in K-12 public, private, or charter school in the U.S. Deadline: October 1, 2013. Learn more.
NEA Learning and Leadership Grants
NEA Foundation Learning & Leadership Grants support public school teachers, public education support professionals, and/or faculty and staff in public institutions of higher education for one of two purposes: Grants to individuals fund participation in high-quality professional development experiences, such as summer institutes or action research; grants to groups fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson study, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff new to an assignment. Maximum award: $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups engaged in collegial study. Eligibility: public school teachers grades K-12; public school education support professionals; or faculty and staff at public higher education institutions. Deadline: October 15, 2013.
CVS Caremark Community Grants
CVS Caremark Community Grants give funds to nonprofit organizations for programs targeting children with disabilities, programs focusing on health and rehabilitation services, public schools promoting a greater level of inclusion in student activities and extracurricular programs, and initiatives that give greater access to physical movement and play. Maximum award: $5,000. Eligibility: nonprofit organizations with programs targeting children with disabilities; public schools with programs for children under age 18 with disabilities. Deadline: October 31, 2011. Requirements & Application.
Children's Foundation Medical Grants for Children in Need
These grants are designed to cover financial expenses for a child's medical needs beyond a family's health benefit plan. Families can directly apply online for these grants of up to $5,000. Details.
Do Something Seed Grants
Do Something Seed Grants for youth can be used towards project ideas and programs that are just getting started, or to jump-start a program and realize ideas for the first time. These grants can also be used towards projects that are already developed and sustainable, towards the next steps of a project and organization as it looks to expand and grow impact. Maximum award: $500. Eligibility: community projects that are youth-led and driven. Deadline: rolling. Application.
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September 18, 2013, 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
In this webinar, hosted by the U.S. Department of Education, panelists will explore prevention research that strongly supports the use of comprehensive, integrated programs with multiple complementary components to address underage drinking. Such evidence-based prevention strategies geared to secondary and postsecondary students require collaborative efforts among organizational leaders at high school and colleges, and key community members. Register.
Providing Culturally Responsive School Mental Health Services: Success Stories From Across the Country
September 23, 2013, 1 - 2: 30 pm ET
Leaders in the field of School Mental Health from across the country will share practical information about providing culturally responsive services to children/youth, families and school personnel in school and community settings. Dr. Dana Cunningham will introduce this webinar by covering essential components of culturally responsive school mental health practices and will provide closing comments aimed at summarizing "take home" strategies for everyday practice. Complete information.
Improving School Climate by Supporting Implementation of Evidence Based Practices (EBPs) in High (Secondary) Schools
September 26, 2013, 3 - 4:30 pm ET
This webinar will provide participants with a definition of school climate that can serve as a structure for targeting areas of need in a school, selecting EBPs that align with the need, and measuring improvement. More details.
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