NASW is presenting a series of events in lieu of an annual conference. Here are the details. The first virtual event is January 28th.

2022 Virtual Symposium, "(Re)centering: Social Work & Abolition—An Abolitionist Take on Social Work"NASW Minnesota(Re)visioning our format

In lieu of our annual fall conference, we have put together a symposium that will feature one session every month between January and April 2022, concluding with our Social Work Summit in May 2022. Symposium content will focus on (re)defining the status quo of our profession. In each session, we will unpack a pressing issue and discuss bold approaches to meet the challenges of tomorrow. We will create space for multiple truths as we challenge ourselves to unlearn, evolve, lead, and follow into the future of social work.

With the ongoing pandemic and our desire to make this event accessible, we have (re)worked our format in a way that we hope will enable everyone who wishes to be a part of these conversations to attend. We invite you to join us and your colleagues from across Minnesota for an aspirational and inspirational event.

Register for (Re)imagining Our Practice—A Fresh Take on Interventions Used to Serve Clients & Communities

Puget Sound ESD is providing an informational meeting about 5030 implementation for all school social workers and school counselors.  Here is the information they shared about the meeting: 
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Our districts are all in different places in developing their plans, some have incorporated their counselors in the process and others are still strategizing. As pockets of workgroups are happening throughout the region, myself and the Student Support Services Director, Minu Ranna-Stewart, would like to offer our December meeting to focus on developing a regional workgroup specifically focused on creating plans for SB 5030. We acknowledge we are not the experts and rather you all who are working directly in our school communities as school counselors and school social workers are the experts and we want to center your voice in this process. We have several district staff from the region who are interested in this collaborative opportunity to work in partnership of creating plans and supporting implementation.

PLEASE NOTE, regional SEL/SSS Directors have also expressed an interest in collaborating and have been invited to this meeting.
SB 5030 overview and planning meeting on Tuesday, December 14th. The new meeting time will be 12:00-1:00.
 
Here is the zoom link for Tuesday's meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87915918037

​WASSW is holding a Town Hall on December 10 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. to talk about how SB 5030 affects the role of school social workers. Please feel free to join us. This will be a time for us to listen to your questions and concerns and tell you what we know so far about this legislation and its implementation.
Topic: WASSW 5030 Town Hall
Time: Dec 10, 2021 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82545023482
Meeting ID: 825 4502 3482

We were energized by our Fall Mini Conference and Membership meeting!  Thank you for those of us who joined us and contributed towards our path for change. 

If you didn't make it, don't hesitate to reach out to let us know what you think would make WASSW a more equity oriented and welcoming organization.  Your thoughts, suggestions and talents are welcome!

Be watching for more to come!
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The WASSW Fall Mini Conference is open for sign up!  Mark November 5th 1-4 pm on your calendar! The event is free and online.  Be part of transforming our organization into one that is intentionally grounded in inclusiveness.  We welcome all interested people-come learn about what WASSW is and help us create a vision for our future--one that aims to make change with its members and make room for all voices.  

The Washington Association of School Social Workers (WASSW) is proud to announce the 2021 Distinguished School Social Worker of the Year Award and the 2021 Distinguished School Social Worker Advocate of the Year Award.

The Distinguished School Social Worker Award is an honor given to those who are outstanding in the field and recognized by their peers and colleagues. WASSW has a long history of giving this award to those past and present members who have made contributions ranging from direct practice to state and national leadership.  Candidate must be a member of WASSW.

The Distinguished School Social Work Advocate is open to any community member who promotes and enhances the mission of school social work.  This award can be given to a politician, school board member, a principal, etc.

*In addition to this form, please send two letters of recommendation (preferably one administrator and one colleague) and the nominee's resume to board@wassw.org.