Recent Events
2019-2020 Legislative Session
~WASSW partners with NASW in employment a lobbyist, Bob Cooper. Bob advocates for legislation that creates more opportunity for social workers and more services for the students and families we serve.
~Additionally, WASSW has been collaborating with WEA on legislative goals.
Check out WEA's legislative priorities: WEA 2020 Legislative Priorities
You are invited to participate in NASW's Policy Conference (formerly Lobby Day) on February 17.
NASW Awards Dinner 3/6/2020
Eastern Washington School Social Worker Conference
May 15, 2020 - Spokane, Washington
Additional details coming soon.


wassw_ospi.pdf |

school_social_worker_week_2014.pdf |
WASSW Lobby Day 2014
Please join us in Olympia on Friday, January 31st, 2014. We will be meeting with various politicians and public servants at their offices to discuss our needs as a profession and to ask for support with our efforts to grow our numbers and recognition in the state. Among agenda items to discuss are the need to fully fund basic education, the need to understand the mental health needs of students in the school setting, and the need for the legislature to recognize and codify into law the importance of the role of school social workers in public schools.
We already have meetings scheduled with Rep. Eric Pettigrew of the 37th Legislative District and Senator Christine Rolfes of the 23rd Legislative District. This is an ongoing process that we will continue to work on over the next few weeks. Please consider joining us for this very important day. We will be posting additional information soon. As always, if you have questions please contact us.
Please join us in Olympia on Friday, January 31st, 2014. We will be meeting with various politicians and public servants at their offices to discuss our needs as a profession and to ask for support with our efforts to grow our numbers and recognition in the state. Among agenda items to discuss are the need to fully fund basic education, the need to understand the mental health needs of students in the school setting, and the need for the legislature to recognize and codify into law the importance of the role of school social workers in public schools.
We already have meetings scheduled with Rep. Eric Pettigrew of the 37th Legislative District and Senator Christine Rolfes of the 23rd Legislative District. This is an ongoing process that we will continue to work on over the next few weeks. Please consider joining us for this very important day. We will be posting additional information soon. As always, if you have questions please contact us.
Washington State Chapter NASW Social Work Awards Dinner
When: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 from 6-9 PM
Where: The Museum of Flight
Why: To celebrate our profession
As members of WASSW we thought it would be nice for us to sit together during this celebration. At this time we have decided to reserve one table for WASSW members. If you are interested in joining other WASSW members at this table, please send an email to eromanuk@yahoo.com. After notifying us, you will be asked to send the cost of one ticket to our treasurer ($65 - the reduced rate, checks can be made out to WASSW).
Space at each table is limited to 10 people. Seats will be reserved on a first come basis - don't hesitate to let us know and turn in your ticket money as soon as possible!
For more information on this event, please visit the website.
When: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 from 6-9 PM
Where: The Museum of Flight
Why: To celebrate our profession
As members of WASSW we thought it would be nice for us to sit together during this celebration. At this time we have decided to reserve one table for WASSW members. If you are interested in joining other WASSW members at this table, please send an email to eromanuk@yahoo.com. After notifying us, you will be asked to send the cost of one ticket to our treasurer ($65 - the reduced rate, checks can be made out to WASSW).
Space at each table is limited to 10 people. Seats will be reserved on a first come basis - don't hesitate to let us know and turn in your ticket money as soon as possible!
For more information on this event, please visit the website.
WASSW Conference
The WASSW Conference will be October 11 and 12 in Federal Way Washington. For more information and to register, click HERE.
The WASSW Conference will be October 11 and 12 in Federal Way Washington. For more information and to register, click HERE.
July 23, 2013
Senator Patty Murray Awarded 2013 Children’s Champion Award
The School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) has awarded Senator Patty Murray (WA) their 2013 Children's Champion Award for her ongoing efforts to fight for the federal programs and services that support our neediest students and families.
For more than two decades in the US Senate, Senator Murray has been a tireless voice for programs and services supporting children in public schools, including children in military families and children with disabilities.
Senator Murray has used her leadership as Chair of the Senate Budget Committee to speak on behalf of the "children and families whose voices do not get heard." This has become increasingly challenging in our current fiscal climate. In a political environment that continues to push for cuts to our non-defense discretionary programs, Senator Murray has not wavered in her strong stance to protect these programs that have already bore the brunt of cuts in recent years. Advocacy for these programs, services and safeguards for children remains critically important, particularly in light of our country's increased child poverty levels.
In addition to leading the Senate Budget Committee, Senator Murray has also maintained a strong position on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which ultimately funds federal programs, as well as the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which authorizes federal education, health and social services programs. Using her leadership role on these Committees, Senator Murray has continually stood up for children and has repeatedly proven herself an unwavering champion.
To acknowledge Senator Murray as a champion for children and families, SSWAA presented her with the Children's Champion award during their annual Summer Legislative and Leadership Institute. SSWAA members work in schools to address students' social, emotional, and behavioral concerns that limit their ability to benefit from their education. school social workers provide positive behavioral support, academic and classroom support, and consultation with teachers, parents and administrators to enhance the school's ability to meet its academic mission, especially where home, school and community collaboration is the key to achieving student success.
For more information, contact SSWAA Executive Director, Frederick Streeck,
FStreeck@SSWAA.org
Senator Patty Murray Awarded 2013 Children’s Champion Award
The School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) has awarded Senator Patty Murray (WA) their 2013 Children's Champion Award for her ongoing efforts to fight for the federal programs and services that support our neediest students and families.
For more than two decades in the US Senate, Senator Murray has been a tireless voice for programs and services supporting children in public schools, including children in military families and children with disabilities.
Senator Murray has used her leadership as Chair of the Senate Budget Committee to speak on behalf of the "children and families whose voices do not get heard." This has become increasingly challenging in our current fiscal climate. In a political environment that continues to push for cuts to our non-defense discretionary programs, Senator Murray has not wavered in her strong stance to protect these programs that have already bore the brunt of cuts in recent years. Advocacy for these programs, services and safeguards for children remains critically important, particularly in light of our country's increased child poverty levels.
In addition to leading the Senate Budget Committee, Senator Murray has also maintained a strong position on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which ultimately funds federal programs, as well as the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which authorizes federal education, health and social services programs. Using her leadership role on these Committees, Senator Murray has continually stood up for children and has repeatedly proven herself an unwavering champion.
To acknowledge Senator Murray as a champion for children and families, SSWAA presented her with the Children's Champion award during their annual Summer Legislative and Leadership Institute. SSWAA members work in schools to address students' social, emotional, and behavioral concerns that limit their ability to benefit from their education. school social workers provide positive behavioral support, academic and classroom support, and consultation with teachers, parents and administrators to enhance the school's ability to meet its academic mission, especially where home, school and community collaboration is the key to achieving student success.
For more information, contact SSWAA Executive Director, Frederick Streeck,
FStreeck@SSWAA.org
Friday, October 11 and Saturday October 12, 2013
WASSW Annual Fall Conference
FEDERAL WAY, WA
March 19-22, 2014
SSWAA 17th Annual School Social Work Conference
School Social Workers: Making a Difference in Schools, Homes and Communities
CHICAGO, IL
Wednesday March 26, 2014
NASW Social Work Award Gala
SEATTLE, WA
WASSW Members at the SSWAA Conference in San Diego
March 20-23, 2013.

Colleen Moe
Melissa Saxon
Dianne Breen
Elise Dalke
Ann Waybright
Frederick Streeck
Sue Martin
Melissa Saxon
Dianne Breen
Elise Dalke
Ann Waybright
Frederick Streeck
Sue Martin
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Happy SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER WEEK - March 3-9, 2013
Click here to download the Proclamation of School Social Worker Week by Randy Dorn, Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Washington.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Update 12/15/2012
We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that took place yesterday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and community members impacted by these events.
As members of school communities, we may be faced with some tasks and challenges in the future in response to this tragedy. We want to offer you quick access to some resources that might help you in your professional and personal work.
The National Association of School Psychologists has updated their website to include resources about how to reinforce school safety, dealing with death in a school, coping with crisis, and information about responsible media coverage of crisis events. You can access these resources at: nasponline.org
The Center for School Mental Health has compiled resources related to school crisis response and dealing with traumatic events in schools. You can access the list here.
The School Social Work Association of America has updated their website to include resources on School Social Worker's guidelines in working with students after a tragedy. You can access these resources as well as resources for parents, resources for other educators, information on self care, and grief and psychological first aid at: SSWAA Crisis Response & Intervention
Please let us know if you need further information or support from the WASSW.
Happy SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER WEEK - March 3-9, 2013
Click here to download the Proclamation of School Social Worker Week by Randy Dorn, Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Washington.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Update 12/15/2012
We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that took place yesterday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and community members impacted by these events.
As members of school communities, we may be faced with some tasks and challenges in the future in response to this tragedy. We want to offer you quick access to some resources that might help you in your professional and personal work.
The National Association of School Psychologists has updated their website to include resources about how to reinforce school safety, dealing with death in a school, coping with crisis, and information about responsible media coverage of crisis events. You can access these resources at: nasponline.org
The Center for School Mental Health has compiled resources related to school crisis response and dealing with traumatic events in schools. You can access the list here.
The School Social Work Association of America has updated their website to include resources on School Social Worker's guidelines in working with students after a tragedy. You can access these resources as well as resources for parents, resources for other educators, information on self care, and grief and psychological first aid at: SSWAA Crisis Response & Intervention
Please let us know if you need further information or support from the WASSW.