JOIN US IN JULY!
Your input is critical to our growth and development as an organization. We are encouraging every state association to send at least one representative to this event.
- Meet leaders in the field of School Social Work
- Share your ideas and concerns
- Visit with your legislators
INSTITUTE OBJECTIVES
- To provide an opportunity to interact with other national association leaders regarding the role of the school social worker in the school system
- To build a Resource Packet of advocacy tools to assist states in addressing critical school social work issues
- To enhance school social workers' advocacy skills
- To plan cooperative "next steps" to enhance and strengthen SSWAA, the only national organization exclusively dedicated to the profession of school social work
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
SUNDAY, JULY 13
- Registration (1:00 pm – 1:30 pm)
- State Dialogue
Participants will receive a series of questions in advance of the meeting, so that the dialogue is structured and results in useful information for SSWAA.
- Strategic Planning & Discussion of Draft Resolutions
This will be a chance for the Board to do Strategic Planning that will have State leaders' buy-in and should follow well on the earlier discussion. Several draft resolutions will be sent to participants before the meeting. Again, this will be another chance for state leaders to impact SSWAA's organizational positions.
- Evening Networking Reception & Entertainment
MONDAY, JULY 14
- Building a State Resource Packet
This session will be another hands-on activity. The purpose is to develop a State "resource packet" to address several issues that are currently facing states, e.g., pending layoffs, the role of SSW in Response to Intervention, competition for positions with other MH professionals.
- Training for Hill Lobby Day
- Walking Tour of Washington Monuments (Optional)
TUESDAY, JULY 15
- Hill Update – Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI)
Visits to Capitol Hill will be preceded with an update by Representative Kennedy or his representative.
- Tour of Capitol
- Capitol Hill Visits with Senators, Representatives, and Staff
- Dinner (Optional)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16
- Panel Discussion :"School Social Work: A Dialogue with School District Administrators"
Representatives from the National School Boards Association, the American Association of School Administrators and the Council of Administrators of Special Education are invited to serve on a panel discussion on School Social Work.
- "Advocating for Change: A Successful National Campaign"
Luke Swarthout, Higher Education Advocate, U.S. PIRG, will challenge participants to establish winning advocacy campaigns in their states and at the national level.
