Informed by a social justice approach, this user-friendly text for social work students provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary school social work practice structured around the 2022 CSWE EPAS Competencies. With a focus on skills development, this innovative text is competency-based and encompasses professionalism, cross-disciplinary collaboration, research applications, theoretical foundations, policies, engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation.

Following a brief historical overview and introduction to the discipline, the book delves into school social work practice and delivers timely content regarding professional identity, supervision, anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Practice knowledge is examined through social work theory, evidence-informed practice, use of data, and policies regarding school, children, and families. The text addresses the full range of client engagement, service provision, the multi-tiered system of supports, trauma-based practices, social emotional learning, termination, and transition-planning. An instructor's manual, sample syllabus, and PowerPoints accompany each chapter. Purchase includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers.

Key Features:

Organizes content by the CSWE professional competencies
Provides case scenarios and practitioner spotlights in each chapter to illuminate the varied roles and responsibilities of school social workers
Includes skill-development activities, additional resources, and reflection boxes to foster understanding and creative thinking
Delivers a comprehensive focus covering policy, practice, and theory
Addresses the full range of client engagement and service provision
Incorporates contemporary issues relevant to school practice (MTSS, SEL, IDEA, ESSA)
Views the discipline through a decolonial lens and acknowledges structural racism in the school system

Contents

Section I: Introduction to School Social Work

Chapter 1 -- The Context of School Social Work: Historical Background and Current Trends in Schools

Chapter 2 -- Getting Started in the School Setting: Information to Know

Section II: Practice Issues -- Professionalism and Social Justice Responses to Diversity and Equity

Chapter 3 -- Professional and Ethical Practice in the School Setting

Chapter 4 -- Engage Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Applications to School Settings

Chapter 5 -- Advancing Human Rights: An Agenda for Social, Racial, Economic, Environmental, and Educational Justice

Section III: Foundations for Practice -- Understanding Policy, Theoretical Applications, and Using Data to Inform Practice

Chapter 6 -- Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice: How School Social Workers Engage with Research

Chapter 7 -- Engage in Policy Practice in the School Setting

Chapter 8 -- Theoretical Perspectives Applied to Social Work in the Schools

Section IV: Engaging and Assessing Clients

Chapter 9 -- Engagement with Client Systems in the School Setting

Chapter 10 -- Assessment in the School Setting: Role of Social Work

Section V: School-based Interventions and Evaluating Practice

Chapter 11-- Multi-Tiered System of Supports

Chapter 12 -- Tier 1 Interventions: Universal Interventions for School Social Work

Chapter 13 -- Tier 2 Interventions: Small Group and Other Targeted Interventions

Chapter 14 -- Tier 3 Interventions: Intensive, Individualized Services in the School Setting

Chapter 15 -- Evaluation of Practice in the School Setting

Section VI: Looking Forward

Chapter 16 -- Looking Forward: Emerging Issues for School Social Workers

Authors

JoDee Keller, PhD, LICSW (WA), is Professor Emerita of Social Work at Pacific Lutheran University, where she taught for 34 years and served in a variety of roles, including department chair, program director, and practicum coordinator. She brings direct school experience, as she has practiced as a school social worker in multiple districts in both Illinois and Washington State and has continued her school involvement by consulting and conducting research in several school districts in Washington State.

Giesela Grumbach, PhD, LCSW, PEL (IL), is a Full Professor and Chair of the Social Work Department in the College of Health & Human Services at Governors State University. Her relational and equity-focused leadership guides the overall program and the school social work specialization. Prior to her academic career, she served as a school social worker in the Chicago Public Schools for 10 years.

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