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MINNESOTA SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS ASSOCIATION

2023-24 2LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

MSSWA LEGISLATIVE GOALS: MSSWA Legislative Agenda 2024.docx

To promote the social emotional and educational well-being of children and families.
To strengthen the profession of School Social Work.

The Minnesota School Social Workers Association (MSSWA) has been serving children in their schools, homes and communities for over 50 years. We are an association of licensed school social workers throughout Minnesota who work with students and their families to provide mental health related services and support within the school system. Although the roles and responsibilities of school social workers vary between districts statewide, we are united in our common goal of working with the “whole child”. MSSWA defines the “whole child” as working with the child in his/her environment with consideration to family, community, values, culture and language. We help teachers teach by reducing social and emotional barriers to learning by collaborating in the development of academic intervention plans to promote and ensure academic success. School Social Workers incorporate a systems approach to address the mental health needs of children and youth.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER:

Social workers receive two different sets of credentials: degrees and licenses. Social work degrees are earned from accredited academic institutions. The bachelor level social worker is prepared for practice in mental health case management. The master level social worker has the training and skills to provide services beyond mental health case management through advanced clinical mental health practice. (SSWAA, 2013) School social workers at the master level receiving clinical supervision or holding clinical licensure are prepared through their education, practicum, clinical supervision and licensure to provide clinical mental health services in a school setting. Licensed clinical school social workers use their skills to address the mental health needs of students through evidence-informed assessment, diagnosis, intervention and evaluation of individuals, small groups, families and school-wide. (SSWAA, 2013). Minnesota school social workers are dual licensed by the Minnesota Board of Social Work and the Professional Educators Licensing and Standards Board.

THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER:

1. School social workers not only provide services to individuals, groups of students and families but also collaborate and coordinate with community agencies or other professionals (such as school-linked mental health professionals) to provide the necessary resources to meet student needs.

Interventions provided though school social work services have shown improved student attendance, reduction of child abuse and neglect, improved graduation rates and early identification of a disability; thus, increasing academic achievement.

2. School social workers address the social, emotional, physical and academic needs of ALL STUDENTS including students whose needs require special education support and services as well as students with in the general education setting.

3. School social workers often focus on providing supports to vulnerable populations of students at high risk for truancy and dropping out of school, such as homelessness, students in foster placement, migrant children, students transitioning between school and treatment programs or the juvenile justice system, or students experiencing domestic violence. (SSWAA, 2013)

4. School social workers serve as a resource to administrators and other educators providing consultation and training on identifying students with mental health needs and a referral process when services are sought.

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR DETAILED LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY MSSWA REGARDING:

EDUCATIONAL MODEL FOR MENTAL HEALTH

SCOPE OF PRACTICE

MOVING BEYOND RATIOS - POSITION PAPER

MSSWA SSW Services Overview

CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH FACTS