We are excited to announce that March 3 – 9, 3024 has been declared School Social Work Week in South Carolina. Attached is a copy of the Proclamation signed by Governor McMaster. Additional ways of promoting school social work week are available on the SSWAA website, https://www.sswaa.org/school-social-work-week. Please share with your supervisors, superintendents, and other personnel to help in your celebration. School social workers are ESSENTIAL in providing services and support for our families!
If you would like to share any pictures or stories from your celebration, please send them to Courtney Jones, Courtney.Jones@clover.k12.sc.us. We will include them on our website and share with SSWAA. SSWAA has the theme for School Social Work Week as “Pearls of Wisdom.” This is so appropriate for all we do to support our students, families, and school staff.
Thank you for all you do for your students and families. Please share with additional school social workers in your district that are not on our email list.
Enjoy and have a Happy School Social Work Week!!!
Board of Directors
SC Association of School Social Work Week!!!
Congratulations to Tiffany Ulmer!
Tiffany Ulmer works tirelessly with the most at-risk students and families as the social worker at the Academy for Success. This program serves students in an alternative setting allowing them to continue their education without interruption. These students often struggle with traditional school settings and may suffer from behavior problems, emotional regulation, and peer conflicts. Tiffany has worked to bridge the gap between home and school helping the student to focus on meeting their goals and returning to their home school. Her welcoming demeanor and bubbly personality help families and students feel comfortable working through any barriers they may face. Tiffany’s diligence to problem solve and ability to navigate difficult situations has made her an asset to the AFS family. As a social worker, Tiffany manages to face the most difficult situations with a warm smile and infectious positivity. Tiffany’s background in mental health in alternative settings has provided her with invaluable experience in working with at risk youth and families. Tiffany works collaboratively with administrators and staff to help students transition to and from the home school. She always welcomes you with a smile and remains optimistic and hopeful during difficult situations. Her calming demeanor can make anyone feel comfortable connecting with her. Tiffany is a leader among her team and has taken charge in developing programing in the district that focuses on eliminating stigmas surrounding mental health.
Tommie Wingate from EMS closets was the recipient for the friend of Social Work award. As stated by Christie Hutchinson from Richland 2, “Tommie who started EMS closets has been providing clothing for students in Richland One and Richland 2. Her organization delivers clothing within a day to social workers. We do not have to even worry about buying clothing any more for our students. I have had families that have lost clothing due to fires or domestic violence situations. I have families that can not afford clothing for their students due to cost of clothing. She is always there and she delivers the clothing fast. She packages them in cute bags with books and stuffed animals. It makes our students feel so special. One of the little girls I gave clothing to in the bag carried that bag around the rest of the day. I really appreciate her taking care of the needs of so many students in her special way that brightens their day.”
Please use the following link to see the story of Elizabeth Balog - Support Person of The Year
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y86kENW4EnODULCuyy3XPv6a8PBHqxDu/view
The School Social Work Association of America has partnered with a research team from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work to conduct a National Census of School Social Workers. If you are a school social worker, Rise Up & Be Counted by completing a short survey below.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
This is important for our profession and every School Social Worker matters! Please share this website with your School Social Work colleagues! Anyone who is a trained school social worker should participate regardless of their work title.
Participate TODAY and share the link with all of your School Social Work Colleagues! https://www.sswaa.org/national-census
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