School Social Work in Wisconsin

Social workers are trained to utilize a strength-based, ecological approach that views clients and organizations as parts of systems. The functioning of and relationships within and between systems are enhanced to improve people's lives. The outcomes for students related to school social work services are increased achievement, safety, attendance, social-behavioral competency, and parent and community involvement. Unlike the vast majority of school staff, school social workers are not trained in a specific field of education. Rather, they are trained primarily and most importantly as masters-level social workers. However, just as high school teachers choose to specialize in a particular subject area, school social workers choose to concentrate their preparation on professional practice within the PreK-12 educational setting.

"The mission of school social work is to assure academic success, educational equity, and social justice for every student by reducing or eliminating the social, economic, and environmental barriers that may interfere with a student's ability to maximally benefit from his/her education. Special emphasis is placed on students who live in poverty, belong to other disenfranchised groups, and/or whose families are in crisis." Wisconsin School Social Work Standards and Practice Committee, 1998.

Categorical aid reimbursement is available for a portion of school social work salary/fringe costs. The actual percentage varies from one year to the next, dependent upon total claims received by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The current level of reimbursement is slightly more than one quarter of costs. School districts submit annual budget and claim reports for school social work services via the Special Education Fiscal Report (PI 1505-SE).

Questions regarding school social work or this home page should be directed to:

Nic Dibble, CSSW, CISW
Education Consultant, School Social Work Services
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
PO Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841
(608) 266-0963
(608) 267-3746 FAX
nic.dibble@dpi.wi.gov

School Social Work Roles

School Social Work Roles (outline form)
Services Most Frequently Provided by Wisconsin School Social Workers

Wisconsin School Social Work Practice Guide

2007 Updates - Wisconsin School Social Work Practice Guide
2008 Wisconsin School Social Work Practice Guide

Wisconsin School Social Work Certification & Continuing Education

Wisconsin Requirements for School Social Work Certification
Continuing Education for Wisconsin School Social Workers

Wisconsin School Social Work Survey

Longitudinal Analysis of School Social Work Services in Wisconsin
Wisconsin School Social Work Survey Instrument

Demonstrating Accountability of School Social Work Services

Using Data to Document the Benefit of School Social Work Services
Achievement of Learning Standards as Outcomes of Services
Revenues Generated for School Districts by School Social Work Services

Social Work Professional Associations

Wisconsin School Social Workers Association
School Social Work Association of America
National Association of Social Workers
National Association of Social Workers – Wisconsin Chapter
Midwest School Social Work Council

For questions about this information, contact Nic T. Dibble (608) 266-0963

Last updated on 7/6/2009 11:24:03 AM