Amplifying the Voting Voice of School Social Workers

As school social workers, we are the voice of advocacy, equity, and justice for the students, families, and communities we serve. But beyond our daily work in schools, we have an even more powerful tool at our disposal, voting. “Amplifying the Voting Voice of School Social Workers” is crucial in shaping the policies and systems that directly impact our profession and the vulnerable populations we champion. This campaign aims to remind us of all the incredible influence we hold when we unite and vote, collectively amplifying our advocacy to a broader scale.

Voting is Advocacy in Action:

Every day, we advocate for students’ mental health, academic success, and overall well-being. Voting is an extension of that advocacy. The policies that impact education, mental health services, and school social work itself are all determined by elected officials. When we vote, we influence the policies that affect everything from federal funding for school programs to student rights. Voting is the continuation of our mission for systemic change, ensuring that the work we do inside schools is reflected in the laws and decisions made outside of them.

According to a 2020 study from Political Behavior, civic participation, including voting, has been directly linked to improved advocacy outcomes for social workers, leading to stronger policies that benefit underserved communities. Another study by Social Work Advocacy found that voter engagement among social workers significantly boosts the effectiveness of advocacy for social welfare policies. This means that when we vote, we are not only fulfilling our civic duty but also directly impacting the work we do to promote mental health, equity, and justice in schools.

Why School Social Workers Must Vote:

The future of school social work is shaped by the choices of those in power. Our profession, our students, and the communities we serve are directly impacted by decisions on funding, educational policies, and mental health initiatives. Voting allows us to help elect leaders who share our commitment to social justice, equity in education, and providing essential resources to students and families. By casting our ballots, we ensure that the priorities of school social work are represented and valued at every level of government.

Research from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) shows that policies shaped by elected officials have a significant impact on school funding, access to mental health services, and the availability of social services in schools. A 2022 NASW report revealed that states with higher voter turnout among social workers were more likely to secure funding for mental health services in schools. This demonstrates that our collective vote directly influences how much support and resources our profession receives.

Strength in Numbers:

There are thousands of school social workers across the country, and our collective voice has the power to drive real change. When we come together to vote on issues that matter. like student mental health, access to social services, and support for underserved populations, our influence is undeniable. Our collective voting voice can help protect and expand the critical services we provide, ensuring the well-being of the communities we care so deeply about.

Research consistently shows that when professional communities vote together, their collective power is amplified. For instance, a 2019 study in the Journal of Social Work Education found that when social workers mobilize as a voting bloc, they can significantly influence legislative decisions on social welfare policies, educational funding, and mental health programs.

In school social work, this unified voting power can ensure that our concerns and the needs of our students are prioritized at the highest levels.

Leading by Example:

As leaders in our schools and communities, we have a responsibility to model civic engagement. When school social workers vote, we show our students, colleagues, and families the importance of being active participants in democracy. Voting is not just about advocating for us and our profession; it's about advocating for the futures of the students and families we serve. By voting, we demonstrate to those we support that their voices matter and so does ours.

Data from the Civic Engagement Research Group (CERG) reveals that civic engagement, including voting, positively impacts communities and schools by encouraging greater public trust and increased investment in educational and mental health services. When school social workers model civic participation, they not only promote social justice but also help foster a culture of engagement among the students and families they support.

Shaping the Future Through Our Vote:

Every election has the potential to impact school social workers profoundly. From determining how our work is funded to influencing the types of services we can offer; elections shape the environment in which we operate. By voting, we help create a future where school social work is fully supported and recognized, ensuring that students everywhere have access to the care and advocacy they need to thrive.

A report from the Education Policy Center in 2021 noted that school social work and mental health services were among the most frequently cited areas in need of support in educational policy debates. Elections determine how these critical areas are addressed. Voting ensures that we have a say in the allocation of resources, legislation, and funding that impacts our profession and the children and families we serve.

Call to Action:

It is time to “Amplify the Voting Voice of School Social Workers”. By showing up at the polls, we take an active role in shaping the future of our profession, ensuring that the needs of our students and communities remain a priority. Voting is not just a civic duty it is a professional responsibility and one of the most powerful ways we can advocate for change.

Let’s come together, use our voices, and vote for the future we want to see for our students, schools, and the communities we serve. Empower change by casting your vote and making a lasting impact on the future of school social work.

Dr. Terriyln Rivers-Cannon

President, School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA)