Wisconsin School Social Workers Association. Connecting and serving practitioners as they care for students, families and schools.


Current WSSWA Board, Regional Reps, and Liaisons

Recent News

2021 Conference Postponed to April 13-14: Save the Date

WSSWA's conference committee has decided to postpone the fall conference to April 13th and 14th, which is a Wednesday and a Thursday in order to avoid Good Friday for those who observe.  We will still be at the Oshkosh Best Western.  Save the date - registration will be forthcoming!


Congratulations Tabatha Veum, 2021 School Social Worker of the Year!

Here's what one of her colleagues said of her:

"Beyond her incredible service to the students, families, and staff in the School District of La Crosse, Tabatha is always providing a great service to the profession of School Social Work. She is very passionate about what School Social Work offers to the educational setting. The tirelessly advocates for an understanding of what School Social Work, how it differs from other student service professions, and for the need to have more School Social Work FTE. She advocates for the discontinuing of dual role positions and the discontinuation of moving School Social Work responsibilities to under-licensed positions labeled school-community liaisons, community social workers, and community service coordinators. Although it is a lot of extra time, work, and energy, Tabatha will always take a School Social Work intern. She is always encouraging students into the profession and works hard while they are with her to impart as much of knowledge and experience as she can, to set them up for success in their own positions after graduation."

WSSWA Testifies Against Anti-Trans Athlete Bill

President Angela Baerwolf and board member Sara Lennertz (pictured left) testified before the Assembly and Senate respectively on May 26th at the state capitol in opposition to AB 195/SB 323 and AB 196/SB 322. WSSWA had a big impact on the debate, giving legislators something to think about when it comes to mental health and removing barriers for transgender youth. Read the testimony here.



February Board Meeting

The board met on February 20 to plan for SSW Week, celebrate the conclusion of the virtual fall conference, discuss a theme for next year, and more!


Midwest School Social Work Council Spring Meeting

Practitioner Kelly Ohme, WSSWA President Angela Baerwolf met with the Midwest School Social Work Council to share updates and exchange ideas. Thanks to Midwest President Julie Incitti (current WI DPI SSW consultant) for leading a great meeting!



Congratulations Nichole Carlisle, 2020 School Social Worker of the Year!

Nichole works at Kromrey Middle School in Middleton, advocating for systems change to increase culturally responsive & trauma-sensitive practices throughout multiple systems while acting as a role model in these practices. She goes above and beyond making connections between home and school and is an amazing liaison between the two or more environments. Nichole will not stop working until she knows that our most marginalized students are getting what they need to find success academically, socially and emotionally. 

November Board and Regional Rep meeting

Our board met with our regional reps to learn more about what school social work is looking like across the state.  We also met our new board members, Cora Heindel and Maggie Danielson.  Alex Schirmacher will continue as treasurer, Brianne Nillissen Mah will continue as secretary, and Leah Kutschke will take on the role of president-elect - congrats all!  Sandra Rivera is our new regional rep for Madison Metro School District and Kristin Annen is our new regional rep for Milwaukee Public Schools - glad to have them!  


Midwest Council welcomes new president 

Julie Incitti, former WSSWA President and current DPI SSW Consultant, became president of the Midwest Council of School Social Workers this February at the Spring Conference meeting in Chicago.

Julie, Angela, Leticia

(l-r) Julie Incitti, Angela Baerwolf, and Leticia Kubisiak


Midwest Council members, Feburary Spring Conference

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Events

  • Fall Conference Nov. 18th-19th, Best Western, Oshkosh

Board Meetings

  • November 20th, 2021

Land Acknowledgement:

The Wisconsin School Social Workers Association (WSSWA) is an organization based in Wisconsin. Throughout Wisconsin’s history, indigenous and First Nations individuals have been murdered, forcibly removed from their homelands, and involuntarily and violently assimilated to the culture of the white colonizer.

WSSWA recognizes and respects the inherent sovereignty, strength, beauty, and resilience of the twelve First Nations that reside in the boundaries of the state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin’s dark history of colonization, oppression, and genocide towards native peoples must continue to inform our work as social workers and our commitment to the dignity and worth of all persons, the self-determination of all persons, and our fight for social justice for all.

Wisconsin First Nation Tribes: Brothertown Nation • Forest County Potawatomi • Ho-Chunk Nation • Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin • Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians • Oneida Nation • Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa • Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa • Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa • Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa • Sokaogon Chippewa Community • St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin https://wisconsinfirstnations.org/native-land-map/

Visit these other professional organizations devoted to school social work:

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