Thankful & Grateful
Michigan Association of School Social Workers
VIRTUAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES STILL AVAILABLE!
Due to the COVID-19 Health Pandemic and state health regulations, our board elected to CANCEL the conference and instead offer our members opportunities to learn and connect virtually throughout the school year. Because many of our members are providing social work services in a remote capacity during their school hours, our conference team decided to provide learning opportunities throughout the school year versus 8-10 hours a day for 2-3 days like a typical "Virtual Conference." We hope that you will join us for some of these exciting learning opportunities!
ALL CONFERENCE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND HERE!
TO GO DIRECTLY TO CONFERENCE REGISTRATION, CLICK HERE!
NASW Continuing Education Collaborative is Seeking YOUR input!
NASW would like your input about the CE needs of social workers in the field and have developed a survey on their website to help. Click HERE to complete the brief survey!
CAPITAL SERVICES REPORT TO MASSW
Click below for our capital services report given by Noah Smith.
Hiring Mental Health Professionals in Michigan Collaboration
Meeting Minutes from November 2020 Meeting
- Some districts in West Michigan and Eastern UP ISD have had success with paid internships
- Grow Your Own Programs have been successful in Ohio and some areas in Michigan
- There was more discussion on the value of offering training, professional development and/or reimbursement for credentials/certification
- Development of a database with colleges and universities that offer Social Work, Psychology, and Counselor Programs with specific contacts such as Field Directors, Program Directors, and Core Faculty
News from 31n Mental Health Practice and Implementation
Subcommittee Meeting November 16, 2020
Legislative Report
There is discussion happening around an inadvertent shift in some of the FY timelines to
confirm those. A survey was sent out to all the ISDs to determine how much of their funding
have they spent for each of their Fiscal Years. That information was offered to the State Budget Office as part of this discussion. The final report is due Dec 1st to the legislature.
Update of 31n initiatives
- Youth Suicide Prevention Summit-MDE in partnership with the School Mental Health Coalition is being offered in December.
- 31n Provider Meeting meets monthly and are hosting a self-care/resilience conference in February 2021.
Update of SEL/ISF efforts
There are two demonstration sites for the Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF) project
including Hazel Park and Montcalm districts.
MDE was awarded a Michigan Health Endowment Fund grant to expand the SEL efforts
happening around the state. MDE will be working with the School Health Coordinators and
veteran and novice districts to implement Systemic SEL.
State Superintendent Dr. Rice hosted a SEL Network meeting with representatives from the
MASA 10 regions.
NEW STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES
Lilliana Duyck is an MSW student from Grand Valley State University who will graduate in May 2021. She is currently working as a graduate assistant in GVSU's College of Education, completing research on pre-service co-teaching, feedback between teachers, behavior management, SWIS, PBIS, and social-emotional learning. Last year, she was able to publish an article in the Field Experience Journal with her research team. She is currently interning as a school social worker at Zinser Elementary in Kenowa Hills, where she works with students who face a variety of problems. She is also interning as a clinician at Life Journey Psychological Services where she works with clients of all ages. At this location she does traditional therapy as well as therapy with horses. She looks forward to serving on the MASSW board and the opportunity to gain more knowledge about the school social work field.
My name is Debbie Maness. I’m a second year MSW student at Michigan State University. I’m currently doing my field placement at MSU Chance at Childhood Law and Social Work Clinic, where I’m excited to gain experience in child advocacy. My concentration is clinical, and I’m in the School Social Work certificate program. My undergraduate degree is in Art and Design Education with a minor in Earth Science Education. I taught for 8 years in public schools before taking a career sabbatical to raise a family. I’ve taught in Michigan, Hawaii, Florida, and Colorado. I have always loved school, and children and education are my passion. My goal is to become a school social worker and ensure that all students have equal access to education and services to enhance their academic and social success.
NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON
MASSW and their website design team has been working hard to get our new website up and running for you! Stay tuned!
REGIONAL UPDATES
REGION A:
Upcoming Region A PD in January and March! See brochure's below:
