Description

Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:

1. Examine key factors contributing to burnout and attrition among school social workers, including role ambiguity, workload demands, and limited organizational support.
2. Explore the impact of role clarification and job satisfaction, and retention within school social work practice.
3. Differentiate between individual and organizational approaches to self-care, emphasizing the importance of systemic responsibility for practitioner well-being.
4. Apply district- and statewide strategies—such as standardized role guidance, supportive supervision, and organizational wellness policies—to promote sustainability and effectiveness in school social work.

Presenter Bio

Alexia Walker, MSW, LSSW, is a Doctoral Candidate in Social Work (DSW) at the University of Kentucky. She holds a Master of Social Work from North Carolina Central University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Social Welfare from Winston-Salem State University. Alexia is a Licensed School Social Worker through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. She is actively engaged in the social work profession as a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the North Carolina School Social Work Association, and the Phi Alpha Honor Society. She also holds a certification in Youth Mental Health First Aid and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Alexia is also a Board Member for Johnston County Lee-Harnett Community Action, Inc., where she collaborates with leaders to improve family outcomes and focuses on poverty reduction and educational equity.

She currently serves as the Substance Use Interventionist Coordinator at Johnston County Public Schools, where she supports students and families affected by substance use. She provides guidance on prevention strategies and collaborates with educators and community partners to enhance student well-being and reduce barriers to success.

Alexia’s research centers on school social work sustainability, focusing on role clarity, occupational stress, and well-being. Her doctoral Capstone Project, “Overlooked Trailblazers,” explores how role clarification and self-care can reduce burnout and improve retention among school social workers, aiming to enhance their visibility and promote support for professional resilience.

With more than ten years of experience in the school social work arena, Alexia brings a strong foundation in student advocacy, family engagement, and system-level change. Her professional excellence has been recognized through two nominations for School Social Worker of the Year over the course of her career.

Delivery Method: Live Interactive Training via Zoom Video Conferencing

Credit Hours: 1.0 (ACE)

Target Audience: This conference is intended for social workers and students.

Accreditation: University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Provider # 1377, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/29/25-9/29/28. Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to 15 general continuing education credits.

Claiming CE Credit: Instructions for claiming CE credit will be disseminated at the beginning of each session.

Questions: If you have any questions regarding CE credit or to report a grievance, please contact Christina Krantz at Christina.Krantz@uky.edu. For technical assistance, please contact lmshelp@uky.edu.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of Kentucky or the College of Social Work. The inclusion of any topics, perspectives, or discussions is intended for academic engagement and does not constitute endorsement by the institution.