Greetings 

On behalf of SSWAA's Legislative Committee, Board of Directors, and Executive Director, we first would like to express our deepest sorrow on the recent tragedies in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio this weekend. Once again we are faced with the reality that we are in the midst of a public health crisis that requires immediate action. The grief, pain and trauma caused by these egregious acts of violence not only have a devastating effect on the families of those whose lives were lost and the injured individuals but are significantly impacting our communities and nation as a whole. We mourn with the families who have lost their loved ones. SSWAA will be issuing a statement in response to these events as well as the President's recent statement linking the cause of these mass shootings to be the result of mental illness. Once we have issued our statement, we are also planning to send an action alert to urge our policy leaders to come together once and for all to create legislative action to eliminate gun violence and to create a climate of inclusion, unity and peace where every human is treated with dignity and respect.

Another critical issue facing our nation is our human rights crisis at the border. Last week, Senator Lindsey Graham (SC) introduced the Secure and Protect Act of 2019. This bill would effectively ban refugees from asylum protections and punish those that seek safety in the United States. SSWAA strongly opposes the bill as we believe it punishes those seeking safety and denies our national and international obligations towards refugees seeking asylum as outlined in U.S. law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Our government should invest in protections and resources to ensure that every case where families, children and individuals seeking asylum are treated with dignity, fairness and processed with efficiency. WE NEED YOU TO CONTACT YOUR SENATORS TODAY!!! PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED ACTION ALERT TO GUIDE YOUR ADVOCACY. Our urgency to act is due to the fact that this bill has moved quickly to committee for a vote despite just being introduced last week. Thus, we are concerned about the devastating impact this legislation will have if passed. 

We need all of our voices and we appreciate your advocacy as always. Thank you for taking action today and stay tuned for SSWAA's Statement and another Action Alert to address the immediate need end gun violence in our nation. 

SSWAA_ACTION ALERT oppose Secure and Protect Act 8_1_2019 (1).doc

The services that school social workers provide are invaluable. School social workers act as the connection for school, home, and community services to help children with emotional, developmental, and educational needs. This year, as children head back to school, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) and the NASW School Social Work Specialty Practice Section have prepared an online media toolkit to educate the public and media about the importance of school social workers. There are instructions on how to use the toolkit, which includes draft letters to school administrators and superintendents urging them to hire social workers; resources for families and school social workers; sample social media posts, images--including a Facebook frame--merchandise and more. For more, visit our introductory video announcing the campaign.

Consider contacting your senators or representative about the upcoming Congressional Briefing where a panel of experts will discuss “The Impact of Weapons and Violence on Schools and Surrounding Communities”.  Use this template to email or send them a letter.

The Western States Center’s mission is to connect and build the power of community organizations; to challenge and transform individuals, organizations and systems to achieve racial, gender and economic justice.  This is one of the documents available, but you can see other information about the organization on their website.  Click here.

Gov. Evers announced March 3-9th to be School Social Work Week!  See attachment:

SSW proclamation.pdf

Hello All!

Wisconsin, now more than ever, we need teachers in our classroom the be the change our students need to advocate for their needs and help them achieve their goals! At the Madison School Climate and Culture Symposium, we will empower you to do just that!
 
The Madison School Climate and Culture Symposium is on April 15, 2019, at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton, WI. We are bringing together educators, administrators, school counselors, social workers, parents, and community leaders from across Wisconsin to talk about best practices in developing positive school culture and providing a safe space for all students to learn.
 
Register NOW for our Madison School Climate and Culture Symposium April 15th.
 
Experts in the field will lead a series of impactful sessions, including representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Madison YWCA Restorative Justice Team, Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and MORE!
 
So far, we have the following sessions scheduled! Check out our website!

Here are some posters for SSW Week, which is March 4-8th.

Poster 1

Poster 2

Ideas for the week

DEMYSTIFYING MINDFULNESS PRACTICE

A mindfulness workshop for School Social Workers in the Northeast Region of WI.

April 25, 2018

12:00-3:15 pm

Green Bay Area Public Schools

200 S. Broadway Rooms 138 A&B

12:00 PM-12:45 PM Northeast Regional WSSWA Meeting

Bring your lunch, network with area social workers, discuss relevant issues, and hear updates!

12:45-3:15 PM  Mindfulness Workshop Presented by Beth Heller of Live54218

Chances are, as mental health professionals, you already use techniques from the practice of mindfulness in your personal and work life.  Yet, there is always room to deepen our understanding of mindfulness as both a practice for stress-reduction as well as a path for self-discovery.  In this workshop we'll explore five different "access points" we can use to bring mindfulness into our lives:  body, breath, thoughts, wisdom and flow.  In addition, we will consider how these techniques and concepts can be woven into professional practice in school settings.

Wear comfortable clothes, bring a yoga mat, and come prepared for gentle movement. 

RSVP TO mjbaranczyk@gbaps.org

EVENT IS FREE OF CHARGE

OTHER DISCIPLINES WELCOME TO ATTEND

Demystifying Mindfulness Practice 4.25.jpg

Here are some resources from SSWAA on how to celebrate your role as a school social worker through education of what you do and advocate for support around your role: 

Poster

Resource guide of activities

Press release

Opportunity Conference Advancing LGBTQ & HIV Health: Navigating and Sharing Solutions - Monday, April 8 & Tuesday, April 9, 2019 @Earle Brown Heritage Center 6155 Earle Brown Dr., Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

Breaking Down Barriers: Treating Pediatric OCD with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Choose from two sessions:

Madison: Thursday, April 11, 2019
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Rogers–Madison
406 Science Drive, Suite 110
Madison, WI 53711

Appleton: Friday, April 12, 2019
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Rogers–Appleton
4351 W College Ave #300
Appleton, WI 54914