Presenter: Sharlene Allen-Milton, Ed.D, LCSW-C

There has been an uptick in emotional and mental health challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic creating an (unspoken) array of work-life management stressors for the social worker. NASW professional self-care 2008 policy statement promotes self-care at the micro, mezzi and macro levels. “Professional self-care is a choice and commitment to become actively involved in maintaining one’s effectiveness as a social worker. Practicing  self-care can ward off unwelcome consequences of stress associated with the profession (NASW, 2008).  This workshop provides a supportive environment for establishing a professional self-care plan as suggested by NASW professional self-care 2008 policy statement. 

Presenter: by Michelle Williams, LCSW, C-SSWS, ACSW

Supporting students has never become more important. Since our world has encountered  the  pandemic, needs of our children have globally escalated and mental health issues are on the rise. Identifying key areas to tackle, relevant resources and establishing self-regulation and coping skills are critical elements necessary to counter the challenges presented in schools. Developing creative ways to partner with teachers and be responsive to the  mounting needs will provide the most comprehensive  support, preventing  some from falling between the cracks, bolstering better skills and intervention for the entire population.

Presenter: Michelle Mellon, LMSW & Brandy-Lee Lappin, LMSW

Participants will learn about the increase in mental health needs among students and the impact that anxiety and depression have on students ability to learn as well as the positive impact therapy dogs can provide to these students.

Presenter: Robin DeLuca-Acconi, Ph.D., LCSW

Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, exposing the influence of decades of policies that have under-resourced and marginalized these communities. The history of segregation and inadequate funding in education has been exacerbated by the pandemic, compounding the educational inequities. The intersection of this inequity alongside immigration policies have led the undocumented student population to be adversely impacted. This presentation will trace the historical path of educational segregation, immigration policies, and how these led to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on undocumented students. It will discuss interventions for undocumented students within an anti-oppressive ecological framework.
(The presentation is based on an article published in School Psychology.)

Presenter: Paul Dischiavo, LCSW-R; Emily Laurey, LMSW & Tricia Hoyer, LCSW

Participants will spend two hours diving deep into their current school crisis plan in this workshop. This hands-on, interactive training will ensure your schools have a detailed day-by-day plan to address any crisis that may occur. It will examine preparation and postvention protocols to further enhance the effectiveness of your schools crisis response plan. Participants will learn interventions to not only manage and process a crisis, but to provide support to staff and students' feelings of loss and grief.

Presenter: Robin DeLuca-Acconi, Ph.D., LCSW

Presenter: James Raines, Ph.D., MSSW

This session addresses nine ethical concerns facing school social workers during emergency situations when they must rely on electronic communication platforms. These issues of concern are use of appropriate terminology, client self-determination, technological competence, informed consent, confidentiality, boundary issues, social justice, record keeping, and professional self-care. It combines research on the psychosocial effects of quarantine and the effectiveness of tele-mental health. It provides legal expectations from FERPA as well as ethical guidance from the NASW Code of Ethics to provide practical strategies about how to help students and their families during a time of prolonged stress.