A positive school culture and climate can support learning for students, particularly students of color. The role of the school social worker is vital to supporting an educational system in developing and promoting a positive school culture and climate. In trying to best understand the role of the school social worker, a qualitative approach…

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a common and pervasive problem. There is a positive correlation between ACEs and difficulties across the lifespan. Unlike healthy forms of stress, ACEs have a detrimental impact on the developing brain. There are three types of trauma: acute, chronic, and complex. Most ACEs are considered complex trauma,…

In this article we illustrate the roles of school psychologists, administrators, social workers, teachers, and parents in school reform by describing the adoption, initial implementation, and formative evaluation of an evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) program within several rural Midwestern school districts in a geographically…

Problem: Education and research on social work's role in preventing client suicide is limited. Method: Seventy advanced master of social work students were randomly assigned to either the training group (Question, Persuade, and Referral suicide gatekeeper training) or the control group. Outcomes measured over time included suicide knowledge,…

This study examines physical and verbal maltreatment of students by their teachers. This study, the first of its kind, examines teachers' use of violence based on their own reports and assesses the contribution of teachers' characteristics in explaining their reports of violence toward their students. The research is based on a large sample of…

This focus group study explored the potential benefits and challenges of involving family members and significant others in a healthy lifestyle program for people with serious mental illness (SMI). Six focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 30 people with SMI, who were participants in a healthy lifestyle intervention. Separate focus…

Alcoholism is a widespread but neglected problem in the lesbian community. The myths and realities of lesbian experience are described and suggested treatment strategies that address the special problems and needs of lesbian alcoholics are given. The literature is reviewed and the need to overcome homophobia among social workers and in agencies is…

Social workers' awareness of and formal involvement in family-centered early intervention for infants and toddlers who are at risk or who have developmental disabilities is very important. Social workers do not always receive formal preparation in this area. This article provides an overview of the definition and identification of developmental…

A model of intervention for meeting human needs through structural rather than individual change is described. The assumptions are that social structures cause social problems, clients are adequate people victimized by inadequate social arrangements, and social workers should act as agents of social change. Principles guiding such practice are…

Redefines the advocacy role in social work and demonstrates how a social influence typology can clarify contradictions in the social psychology literature. The typology helps the social worker match the manner in which advocacy is attempted to specific details of the situation. (Author/JAC)

Integrated school psychological services were implemented 12 years ago in the Greeley-Evans Public Schools by combining the positions of school psychologist and school social worker and placing each professional in an elementary school full-time. After 5 years, services were expanded to secondary schools such that all schools had a full-time…

School social work functions within a framework of limited casework involvement. Direct assistance is restricted to an individual's experiencing temporary disruption of function related to the learning process and whose coping resources and ego strengths can be mobilized in the limited time available for social work intervention. (Author)

If social work is to fulfill its central mission of helping individuals, groups, and communities resolve social problems, it must develop problem-oriented theories and intervention strategies. Particularly needed are models of practice that are capable of being tested through scientific methods and that are addressed to specific, well-defined…

Presents a view of the domain of social work and its core of expertise from a historical contemporary perspective. Considers three factors: the location of social work within the social structure, its objectives, and the nature of its societal sanction. (JAC)