Together, we can create a more

JUST future.

Welcome to the inaugural Workforce for Student Well-Being Newsletter!

We plan to use this platform on a quarterly basis to share major program developments, milestones and insights with school social workers, educators, legislators and advocates as we invest in developing the school-based mental

health workforce over the course of our five-year grant cycle.

You can keep in touch with the WSW through our website.

The Workforce for Student Well-Being

Now, more than ever, our schools need qualified and trained school-based mental health practitioners to help turn the tide of the youth mental health crisis and confront the educational disparities impacting our students.

Through the WSW Initiative, we plan to make a case for school social workers as one of the solutions schools and districts can capitalize on to make change.

Washington ranks in the lowest tier among states for youth mental health (Mental Health America, 2022) and has approximately one School Social Worker for every 12,000 students (less than 1/50th of the recommended level).

By training the next generation of school social workers, we will transform the approach to school mental health with qualified practitioners equipped with current evidence-based practices.

Community of Practice Highlights

The aims of the Community of Practice are threefold:

1. Grow and expand on School Social Workers’ knowledge base
2. Reduce School Social Workers’ sense of isolation and improve retention
3. Support and invest in building a Washington State School Social Work labor force that reflects the communities they serve

Our 90-minute community of practice sessions welcome practicum or field-based instructors for the first 45-minutes The second 45-minutes is for students-only, aiming to deepen our knowledge around systems-based frameworks for intervention. Students and practicum instructors alike have benefitted from the knowledge and expertise of regional and national experts in the field, including UW SMART Center staff, representatives from OSPI and the leaders of our state’s largest school social work department with Seattle Public Schools. We are looking forward to inviting additional guest speakers next quarter as we continue to explore systems-based interventions and topical issues in current school social work practice.

In our first session we explored our ‘why’ for school social work. Students shared their reasons for entering the field and what inspired them to pursue social work. One student remembered a pivotal school-based mental health professional who supported her and her family:

"After a parental divorce, relocating [from out of state], and living homeless for a period of time, Ms. W. was the first time I remember feeling seen as a youth….She was the epitome of what I now consider to be the role of a school social worker. Beyond the counseling she provided me with, she was the ultimate advocate and cheerleader for me and my family providing us with the support we needed while facing extreme poverty and homelessness. As I reflect on my childhood and rearing, Ms. W. was

truly THE anchor in my life. She showed me the true meaning, reason, and humility behind advocating for children, youth, and families. I aspire to be her when I grow up!

One of our field-based instructors also shared the following:

WSW in the Community

The WSW has been busy sharing our model and preliminary findings with various audiences both locally and nationally.

Rachel Barrett, Program Manager for the Workforce for Student Well-Being Initiative and Facilitator of the Community of Practice.

Washington Association of School Social Workers

WSW presented at the Washington State Association for School Social Workers Conference this October and gathered useful input into workforce development strategies and topics to cover in the Community of Practice.

Co-Principal Investigators Dr. Eric Bruns and Dr. Jenn Stuber presenting at the University of Washington Mental Health Summit.

Washington Mental Health Summit

We had the opportunity to present our initiative at the annual Washington Mental Health Summit where faculty across the University of Washington, philanthropists, concerned citizens, and legislators gathered to highlight major policy and programmatic initiatives happening across Washington State.

We are hopeful that the Washington legislature will invest in the continued expansion of the WSW so more trained school social workers can serve school districts around our state.

Resources Corner

In our recent Community of Practice, Dr. Clynita Grafenreed joined our students to help dive into the discipline disparities impacting Black students. The newest report from the Office of Civil Rights shows that the differential impact of exclusionary disciplinary practices continues to have a devastating impact on Black youth. “...most categories of data show persistence of racial inequities. Black students continued to be overrepresented in school discipline, and lacked equitable access to the internet and advanced courses.

Students with disabilities also faced inequities in access to courses, and

were disproportionately disciplined, including in extreme interventions such as restraints and seclusion.” (Edweek, 11/16/23). WSW students completed an assignment utilizing the OSPI Washington State Report Card to gather disciplinary information about their school placement and district and then reviewed this information with their supervisors. In the coming weeks our Community of Practice will discuss how school social work interventions are useful and necessary in creating sustainable change to support our students.

WSW Survey

The WSW is conducting a research project and state-wide survey of current school social work practitioners. 

The survey will remain open until January 12th. A meaningful way to support the work of the WSW is to complete the survey and forward it to other relevant parties.

The survey will help inform increases in the number, diversity, and skills of school

social workers in WA schools.

We welcome your inquiries and feedback. Please contact us at wswinitiative@uw.edu

The WSW Initiative is a collaboration among the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the UW School Mental Health Assessment, Research, and Training (SMART) Center, the UW School of Social Work in Seattle, and the state’s four other accredited schools of social work. Additional core partners include the Washington Association of School Principals and the Washington Association of School Social Workers.

We are committed to supporting students, families, schools and communities in Washington State.Through the Workforce for Student Well-being (WSW) Initiative, skilled school social workers—school mental health service professionals—will provided much needed support

to students, families, and K-12 schools.