Call for Proposals

Call for Proposals:

2027 National School Social Work Conference

30th Annual National School Social Work Conference

April 13-16, 2027 | Tucson, Arizona

The School Social Work Association of America is now accepting presentation proposals for the 2027 National School Social Work Conference.

Presenting at SSWAA’s National Conference is a meaningful opportunity to share your expertise, strengthen your leadership, contribute to the profession, and support high-quality professional development for school social workers nationwide.

If you are chosen as a presenter for our national conference, you are eligible to receive a reduced fee to attend the conference. In addition, presenting at a national conference or presenting through one of our webinars is an excellent opportunity to strengthen your leadership capacity, enhance your presentation skills, and build your professional resume.

submit a proposal

Presentation proposals will be accepted May 13 through August 15, 2026.

All proposals must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on August 15, 2026. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. No exceptions.

Submit a Proposal

before you start

Before beginning your submission, we strongly encourage you to review the Proposal Planning Information Guide. This guide includes a comprehensive list of submission requirements, proposal questions, helpful tips, and explanations to support you through the application process.

View Information Guide

Timeline: Presentation proposal and conference planning

May 13, 2026

Proposal submission portal opens

August 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET

Proposal submission portal closes

August - September 2026

Submissions reviewed

September 2026

Presentation decisions communicated

October 2026

Deadline to accept presentation invitation (specific date TBD)

December 2026

Deadline for all presenters to register for the conference (specific date TBD)

December 2026 - April 2027

Presenter preparation and support

(including SSWAA collaboration and support; e.g., presenter 'pop-in sessions', resource provision, consistent communications, etc.)

March 15, 2027

Final presentation materials due

April 13, 2027

Pre-Conference

April 14-16, 2027

General Conference

Submit a Proposal

Connection to the National Model 2.0

Advocacy

Advocacy track sessions intentionally center on advancing human rights that promote educational, social, racial, economic, environmental justice, and the role and impact of school social workers.

Research

Research sessions focus on school social work research, applying research-informed practice, and conducting practice research.

Practice

Practice track sessions highlight how to school social workers can practice at the top of our licensure using appropriate skills and knowledge to work effectively with school systems.

Policy

Policy track workshops dive into how school social workers can influence federal, state, and local polices to champion educational access, equity, and inclusion.

Leadership

Leadership sessions explore ways to facilitate school improvement plans to foster educational equity and elevate collaborators’ needs.

View National Model 2.0

SSWAA launched the National Model 2.0 at the 2025 National Conference including a keynote presentation and panel discussion. View Here.

ACE Approval Statement:

School Social Work Association of America SSWAA, #1789, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. School Social Work Association of America SSWAA maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 07/27/2023 – 07/27/2026.