As school social work approached its ninetieth anniversary in 1994, a new organization, the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA), was just forming. The background--why SSWAA was created and how it grew in its first twelve years--involves a small group of individuals dedicated to the future of school social work and an assortment of…

In this conceptual article, the authors identify the current state of racial disproportionality in U.S. public schools and the ethical call for school social workers to engage in anti-racist practice. Using the ecosystems perspective, a familiar perspective for school social work, the authors present a model for addressing racial climate gaps for…

School social workers have long operated at the forefront of addressing student social and emotional needs. However, in recent years, school social work positions have faced increasing threats of elimination because of misconceptions of the profession's purpose. Effective strategies to reverse this trend have not been documented in the extant…

This article provides a grounded theory study of student experiences while participating in a multidisciplinary pre-service training. Pre-service students from social work and education participated in culturally affirming multidisciplinary training in social and emotional learning and implemented what they learned in the training in their…

This conceptual article examines the evolution of trauma treatment in schools--from early interventions such as cognitive behavioral intervention for trauma in schools to more recent interventions such as trauma-informed schools--that boast schoolwide supports for students. I argue that the current conceptualization of trauma used in schools,…

The need for a variety of practice approaches and practice activities for social workers in the schools is a priority. The purpose of the current exploratory-descriptive study was to examine the roles of school social workers (N = 378) and the ways these roles change in different school employment settings and with different caseload sizes.…

In response to mass gun shooting incidents in schools, some school districts have been hiring additional social workers to help prevent further incidents. This qualitative study will explore the potential roles that school social workers may play, including early identification and intervention, screening, risk assessment, crisis intervention,…

During the 2014-2015 school year, a mixed-methods study was conducted in a Midwestern urban school district with twenty-five school social workers to assess professional practice utilizing an electronic data system. Given the emphasis in the literature on mandates for school social workers to be actively engaged in positive behavior support and…

School-based mentoring (SBM) programs have emerged in response to the chronic academic failure of many at-risk youth. Students encountering poverty, familial instability, poor health, and/or exposure to violence and mental health issues are at greater risk of academic failure. The pressures bearing down upon the most vulnerable students foster…

Professional organizations aim to strengthen and protect the professions they serve. However, organizations can also behave in hegemonic ways, eroding specializations and advancing a policy agenda without critical member input. Exploring issues of power and inclusion is essential not only for the survival and stability of the organization, but…

Although schools are making the effort to support students grieving the death of a loved one, there is a large population of grieving students who have experienced ambiguous loss from causes other than death and who may need support. Ambiguous loss or a loss without closure can leave a person searching for answers, thus complicating and delaying…

Race relations are becoming an increasingly central conversation in society following several recent national events, including white supremacist rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Portland, Oregon. Extant literature highlights the adverse effects of peer racial/ethnic discrimination on youth's mental, physical, and academic well-being,…

State laws governing recreational and medicinal cannabis use are trending toward legalization, which has implications for school social workers and the students, families, and communities they serve. The patchwork of policies and conflicting public opinion sends mixed messages to youth and families who may lack sufficient information regarding…

Between 1993 and 2012, the suicide rates for African American children between the ages of five and eleven doubled whereas rates for Caucasian children in the same age group declined. Although suicide rates were higher among males, a significant increase in female suicides is causing alarm. The growing number of suicides among African American…

High school students who present with psychiatric needs face significant challenges in terms of navigating their mental health treatment and educational goals. Students are vulnerable to becoming disengaged from their peers, education, and mental health treatment when they are in the liminal position of transitioning from mental health…