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School Social Work NOW!
Supporting Innovative Practice,
Effective Leadership, and Applied Research
Vol 6, Issue 15
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Proposals are now being accepted for the 21st Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health to be held September 29-October 1, 2016 in San Diego, California. The conference will be hosted by the CSMH and the National Community of Practice on Collaborative School Behavioral Health. ACSSW is an active participant, raising the voice of school social work in the planning and program development. The theme of the conference is Shape the Future of School Mental Health: Advancing Quality and Sustainability.
The conference will emphasize a shared family-school-community agenda to bring high quality and evidence-based mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention to students and families.
This is a perfect opportunity for school social workers to highlight their work and experiences to school and community providers and researchers. Click to view the Request for Proposals and to submit an abstract. The deadline for submissions is February 29, 2016. All proposals must be submitted online.
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The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015, and represents good news for our nation's schools. This bipartisan measure reauthorizes the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation's national education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students.
The new law builds on key areas of progress in recent years, made possible by the efforts of educators, communities, parents, and students across the country. Click to read more and view a chart comparing the laws. Additional summary.
This toolkit offers information on:
- Trauma Facts for Educators
- Suggestions for Educators
- Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Trauma: Preschool Children
- Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Trauma: Elementary School Students
- Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Trauma: Middle School Students
- Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Trauma: High School Students
- Brief Information on Childhood Traumatic Grief for School Personnel, and
- Self Care for Educators.
...It is becoming increasingly clear that trauma and ODD should be addressed simultaneously because of the similarities among the biology, stress and ineffective parenting strategy components that are present in both ODD and trauma. Additionally, many have investigated the impact of trauma on young children more broadly, and have found significantly higher levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms among children who were exposed to psychological trauma and had also higher rates of ODD (Toddler, 2009). In 2009 Van der Kolk and Pynoos proposed a new diagnosis for the DSM-V, called Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) to reduce the complications related to no diagnosis and multiple diagnoses provided to children that have experienced a history of trauma, many times since birth. Van der Kolk and Pynoos (2009) point out that ODD overlaps with the DTD symptoms of temper loss, defiance, and being argumentative and easily annoyed. This is only one example of how trauma can present as another disorder, making it difficult for professionals to distinguish among them. There is currently no differential diagnosis for post traumatic stress disorder. Read complete article.
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...The disastrous results of bad management all seem to be shared across the board, regardless of whether the manager in question was an unrelenting bully or obliviously nice. Despite their failings, there are lessons to be learned from them, especially for those who are starting their own business. Below you'll find a description of three bad managers, and the important lessons that can be learned from each one. Read about: The Nice Guy/Girl, The Bully, and the Micromanager. More.
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Designing and implementing effective suicide prevention programs is critical, given suicide's role as the third leading cause of death in individuals 10-24 years old. According to the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 17% of students have seriously considered attempting suicide, 13.6% have planned a suicide attempt, and 8% have made a suicide attempt. These rates have generally remained consistent over the past 2 decades. School-based suicide prevention programs and mental health services have the potential to reach many suicidal adolescents, who otherwise would be unlikely to receive supportive services. There are various approaches to school suicide prevention, including curriculum-based programs, universal screening programs, and staff in-service and training programs. Staff in-service and training, which occurs in the ''gatekeeper model,'' has been found to be feasible and acceptable to principals, with little staff or parent resistance and few barriers with respect to time commitment. Access full paper. |
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The Community-Partnered School Behavioral Health Modules
~ Free Training Series and CEUs Offered ~
www.mdbehavioralhealth.com
Signs of Suicide Program & Gatekeeper Training Module 1.5 CEUs. Free.
from Teachers College Press. A hard copy will be mailed to you. Free.
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Recommended Read for January
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The World Café: Shaping Our Future Through Conversations That Matter
by Juanita Brown & David Isaacs & the World Café Community
Review by SSW Pat Beauchemin, LICSW, Rhode Island
"School social workers know about group processes and have honed their skills in drawing out the best thoughts and ideas of those invited to participate, whether the group is comprised of eighth grade students or parents in an education support group. In assuming more of a leadership role in their schools and districts, school social workers may want to read a wonderful book to assist them in their facilitative capacities to enhance conversations that occur in meetings or other group settings. . .
As I read, I became more excited as the book offers many possibilities using the 7 World Café principals in designing a café process. The authors have come to realize through their own and others experiences that a "collective intelligence" is the magic that emerges through table conversations offering participants an opportunity to reflect on meaningful questions, make important contribution to the intimate dialogue and serve as "ambassadors" by bringing forth the salient points of the dialogue to others, as people move from table to table in a powerful exercise.
The reader will become highly motivated to experiment with different forums as well as connect with others who "do" world café experiences, as the resource section identifies organizations dedicated to enhancing and shaping a myriad of conversations that can make a difference."
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| Professional Development Opportunities |
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State officials have awarded $5.6 million in grants to hire more than 160 social workers and mental health professionals in Nevada schools. The awards are part of a broad anti-bullying initiative coordinated by Nevada's new Office for a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment. Learn more.
...According to Today, the Eagle Mountain Elementary in Fort Worth, Texas, has been giving kindergarten and first-grade students two 15-minute recess breaks every morning and two 15-minute breaks every afternoon to go play outside. At first teachers were worried about losing the classroom time and being able to cover all the material they needed with what was left, but now that the experiment has been going on for about five months, teachers say the kids are actually learning more because they're better able to focus in class and pay attention without fidgeting. Continue.
Deadline: January 26, 2016
SAMHSA's Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality invites you to provide feedback for the launch of a new endeavor at the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). In addition to reviewing programs received during the open submission process, NREPP will conduct independent literature reviews to add programs with strong evidence bases to the registry. SAMHSA welcomes comments from community organizations; clinicians; practitioners; advocates; researchers; city, county, and state agencies; and all other stakeholders.
Your feedback will help NREPP identify and prioritize important practices and programs to the mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment field. More information and submission form.
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School Social Work Positions
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Continued - listed by state abbreviation
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Webisode: Behavioral Health Concerns in Classrooms
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) latest webisode recording with Knowledge Network for Systems of Care TV (KSOC-TV) addresses the topic of identifying and managing behavioral health concerns in elementary school classrooms. The panelists, including Center for School Mental Health affiliate faculty, Dr. Kimberly Becker, provide specific strategies on how students, parents, teachers, and administrators can work together to support positive mental health among elementary school students. Watch by clicking here. Approx. 1 hr.
Webisode: Expulsion and Suspension Policies in Early Childhood Settings
The Child and Family Policy Consortium webinar features presentations on expulsion and suspension policies in early childhood settings. Speakers include Dr. Walter Gillian (Yale University) and Dr. Oscar Barbarin (University of Maryland - College Park). Click here to watch. Approx. l hr.
Archived --
Archived by SAMHSA & KSOC-TV
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1st Quarter Deadline: March 31, 2016
Grants of up to $500 are available for "innovative programs, events, or projects" from the Meemic Foundation for Michigan, Wisconsin or Illinois. Apply online using their easy application that takes less than 30 minutes to complete. These grants are open to any employee of a K-12 public or private school. Universities and colleges may also apply. Fill-in-the-blank application.
Grants are accepted year round, but the first quarter cycle ends March 31st. Grants are up to $500. Recipients will be notified by May 15th.
The foundation says it supports "basically anything that supports teachers and enhances the student's educational experience" - from field trips to books to behavior modification programs; science, music, or art equipment to professional development.
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