DSW Candidate – Melissa Evans, 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM
$0.00
Virtual Showcase of DSW Scholars 2025 Event!
The Misunderstood Role of School Social Work: Moving From Misconception to Collaboration
DSW Candidate – Melissa Evans, mSW, LSW, C-SSWS
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM Eastern Time Zone
Credit Hours: 1.0 (ACE)
Description
The Misunderstood Role of School Social Work: Moving From Misconception to Collaboration
School social workers are crucial in supporting students, families, and school staff by addressing the social-emotional needs of students, consulting and being a support to staff, and providing resources to students and families within the community. However, there is often a disconnect between school administrators and social workers due to misunderstandings about the social worker’s role and responsibilities. These challenges can lead to frustration and burnout, reducing the effectiveness of service delivery.
To bridge this gap, it is essential to educate district staff on social workers’ roles, ethical standards, and positive impacts, including their ability to engage families, reduce disciplinary issues, and support teachers in managing challenging behaviors. Ethical considerations, such as confidentiality and the balance between social work standards and educational laws, further complicate this dynamic. Additionally, social workers face caseload challenges, particularly in districts with high mental health needs, which are often misaligned with recommended standards. Interdisciplinary collaboration and mutual understanding between educators and social workers are vital in developing collaborative relationships.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:
- Identify school social workers’ various roles and their impact on students, staff, and families.
- Recognize ethical concerns social workers encounter in the educational setting.
- Understand the importance of interdisciplinary communication and collaboration between educators and social workers.
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.
