DSW Candidate – Amber Onkst, 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
$0.00
Virtual Showcase of DSW Scholars 2025 Event!
Shifting the Paradigm: Empowering School Social Workers as Leaders in Family Engagement Policy and Practices in K-12 Education
DSW Candidate – Amber Onkst, MSSW, CSW, C-SSWS
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Eastern Time Zone
Credit Hours: 1.0 (ACE)
Description
Shifting the Paradigm: Empowering School Social Workers as Leaders in Family Engagement Policy and Practices in K-12 Education
This presentation critically examines the evolving role of school social workers in shaping family engagement policy and practices in K-12 education. Through a systematic review of current literature, it highlights the predominance of micro-level practices—such as direct service provision—while exposing significant gaps in research and practice related to macro-level policy development. Attendees will gain an understanding of how these gaps limit the capacity of school social workers to influence systemic change.
The discussion emphasizes the transformative impact of family engagement on student outcomes, including academic achievement, behavior, and social-emotional development, with a focus on historically marginalized student populations. Despite evidence supporting family engagement as a critical factor in student success, its implementation remains underutilized in many educational settings.
Finally, the presentation explores actionable strategies for school social workers to shift toward macro-level advocacy and leadership roles. These strategies include policy development, collaborative initiatives with educational stakeholders, and addressing systemic barriers that hinder family engagement. By leveraging their unique skill set, school social workers can champion equitable, inclusive practices that benefit students, families, and school communities. This session provides valuable insights into reimagining the role of school social workers as agents of systemic change, offering practical tools to enhance their leadership in advancing family engagement in K-12 education.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:
- Critically analyze the role of school social workers in family engagement policy and practices in K-12 education by examining the current body of literature to identify existing gaps and opportunities for macro-level practice.
- Evaluate the impact of family engagement on academic performance, behavior, and social-emotional development in K-12 education, with particular attention to students from diverse and historically marginalized backgrounds.
- Explore strategies for school social workers to advance policy changes and leadership roles in promoting family engagement practices, focusing on addressing systemic barriers and enhancing collaborative efforts in educational settings.
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: 9/29/22-9/29/25. 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.
