Put SSW in the Driver’s Seat: Steering the School MH Debate Myrna Mandlawitz, Ed.M., JD Director,...
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Transcript of Put SSW in the Driver’s Seat: Steering the School MH Debate Myrna Mandlawitz, Ed.M., JD Director,...
![Page 1: Put SSW in the Driver’s Seat: Steering the School MH Debate Myrna Mandlawitz, Ed.M., JD Director, Government Relations School Social Work Association of.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e635503460f94b5f765/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Put SSW in the Driver’s Seat:
Steering the School MH DebateMyrna Mandlawitz, Ed.M., JD
Director, Government Relations
School Social Work Association of America
![Page 2: Put SSW in the Driver’s Seat: Steering the School MH Debate Myrna Mandlawitz, Ed.M., JD Director, Government Relations School Social Work Association of.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081519/56649e635503460f94b5f765/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
“In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress.”
-- John Adams, 2nd U.S. President
SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE…BUT…
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YOUR Voices Count!
“There is nothing more eloquent to a member of Congress than the voice of his/her
constituent.”
-- Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
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Social Work Code of Ethics
Social workers should be aware of the impact of the political arena on practice and should advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions in order to meet basic human needs and promote social justice.
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SSWAA Mission & Vision Mission:
SSWAA empowers school social workers and promotes the profession to enhance the social-emotional growth and academic outcomes of all students.
Vision:
We envision school social work as a valued, integral part of the education of all children, connecting schools, families and communities.
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The “Bottom Line”
Changing public policy is a marathon, not a sprint!
You may not reach your goal in a day, a month, or a year…but never stop beating the drum!
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National MH Initiatives
The State of Play for Children’s Mental Health
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Post-Newtown Discussion
Solution #1: More school resource officers, locked buildings, & armed staff?
OR Solution #2: Improving school climate to
create safe, nurturing environments for learning?
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“Now is the Time” & Other Initiatives School Climate Transformation Grants
Implementing multi-tiered behavioral programs Project Prevent Grants
Schools in communities with pervasive violence Comprehensive School Safety Program
Large scale research to improve school safety
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SSWAA Told the White House to… Hire more MH professionals for prevention,
early intervention, crisis intervention & building strong supports for & relationships with students and staff.
Promote school-wide PBIS. Increase & enhance services for students
with emotional challenges in general and special education.
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More SSWAA suggestions…
Provide universal screenings & follow up services for P-12 students with MH issuesby trained school-employed MH professionals with appropriate referrals to community services.
Increase community education on issues related to MH and exposure to violence, e.g., national campaign!
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Proposed Congressional Actions School Social Workers Improving Student
Success Act (Moore, D-WI) Grant program: Hire & retain SSW in high-need
school districts Reducing Barriers to Learning Act (HR 2378;
Loebsack, D-IA) Change “pupil services” to Specialized
Instructional Support Personnel (SISP) Office of SISP in US Dept of Education Grants to hire State SISP Coordinators
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More Bills in Congress Student Support Act (HR 2375; Lee, D-CA)
Reduce ratios of students to school MH providers, Keep Kids in School Act (S 672; Casey, D-PA)
Allowed to use funds to hire more school MH providers.
Focused on reducing suspensions/expulsions. Mental Health in Schools Act (HR 1211;
Napolitano, D-CA) School-community partnerships.
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“Message” Bills
School Social Work Week Resolution (H.Res 146) Sponsor: Rep. Moore, D-WI
National SISP Week (H.Res 183) Sponsor: Rep. Loebsack, D-IA
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Elementary & Secondary Education Act Student Success Act (HR 5)
Eliminates mentions of mental health services Every Child Achieves Act (S 1177)
Title IV: Needs assessment Allowable use for mental health services SEE NEXT SLIDE FOR THE GOOD NEWS!
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Elementary/Secondary School Counseling Program Only federal grant specifically to hire school-
employed MH providers, including SSW. Eliminated in House bill. Bipartisan amendment keeps program in
Senate bill. 10 NY districts just received new grants. NOW, need to keep in final ESEA bill.
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Advocacy Activities Effective School Staffing Model (SSWAA,
NASP, ASCA): Emphasizes team approach to safe, supportive
schools.
A Framework for Safe and Successful Schools (SSWAA, NASP, ASCA, principals, SROs): Improving school safety & increasing access to MH
services.
Achieving Great Public Schools (NEA)
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SSWAA Documents
School Social Work Practice Model
National SSW Standards for Social Emotional Learning (final version June 2015)
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Latest Advocacy Document
Safe, Healthy, and Ready to Learn www.futureswithoutviolence.org Policy recommendations addressing violence and
trauma Clear statements about need for school-employed
MH providers & SISP Budget cuts should not result in eliminating positions. Appropriate ratios. Appropriate mix of staff necessary to support teachers.
Also addresses healthcare, juvenile justice, & community partnerships.
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FY 2016 Appropriations (Funding) Cuts proposed in House and Senate for
education/health/labor overall. President proposes increases and includes
School Counseling Program. Money drives everything!
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So What Does All This Mean For YOU?
STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE!
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SSWs Play a Critical Role
“School Improvement” should always address: barriers to learning student engagement in learning
SSW are integral to “school improvement”: Provide direct interventions to students Increase and support family involvement Link to community services, as appropriate Provide professional development for staff
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Local Advocacy: How to Begin SSWs’ right/responsibility to advocate for
profession & students. Find out
who district decision makers are where decisions are made (school, district central
office, state) If represented by union, get them involved! Is there a local SISP coalition? If not,
consider forming one!
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Making Changes At District Level Develop “plan of action.” Pick priority issue & discuss with SSWs. Choose leader & organize group. Find “partners!” Research & present case to decision makers.
Support with facts. Develop succinct and clear message.
Be ready to answer tough questions and offer solutions!
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Go to the Public
Start with clear message (“elevator speech”). Develop media list Develop sample op-eds, letters to editor, press
releases Meet with local editorial boards, radio & TV
stations, local access cable TV Use social networking: Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube
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State Advocacy Learn state government basics.
Check state website Learn about branches of legislature & key issues
Connect to legislature’s website Check legislative calendar, including key committee
meetings Learn when members will be at home Check introduced bills on issues of interest Sign up for “notification” on bills of interest
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Committee Testimony
Check for public hearings on key bills. Contact the committee about testifying. Notify your legislator that you’ve requested
time to testify. Usually have to submit “request to testify”
when arriving at the hearing.
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Build Relationships
Identify your legislators. Have an initial in-person meeting, if possible. Establish yourself as an “expert” and a
resource. Stay in touch through website, email,
Facebook; become a “fan!”
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AND MOST IMPORTANT…
BE COUNTED!!!
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THAT MEANS….
BUILDING THE PROFESSION
OF
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK!
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How Can you Do That?
If you are NOT a member of NYSSSWA and SSWAA, JOIN TODAY! ….and I don’t just mean so you can get a
discounted conference registration or CEUs. Once you’ve joined, GET INVOLVED!
Committees? Legislative action?
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Already a Member?
Pledge to do the following: Get at least ONE more (OK, maybe more than
one!) unaffiliated SSW to join NYSSSWA and SSWAA.
Start to build a relationship with at least one legislator – local, state, and/or federal.
Educate at least one potential community partner about SSW.
SPEAK OUT FOR SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK!
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A Few Final Thoughts Be ready to explain
How school social workers differ from community-based folks.
Why students need a team of supports in every school every day…and those team members are not “interchangeable parts.”
How partnerships with community resources are critical, and are the “bailiwick” of SSW.
….AND be sure to gather as much DATA as you can along the way!
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"There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they grow up in peace."
--- Kofi A. Annan, Former UN Secretary-General
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Take the Challenge….
Thank you for Becoming Stronger Advocates for School Social Work!