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Get ready for an exciting and transformative day as we kick off the 28th annual National School Social Work Conference with our dynamic Pre-Conference Day. This event is your chance to dive deep into essential topics that will inspire, challenge, and equip you to enhance your practice as a school social worker. Whether you’re looking to gain insights into equity, collective self-care, or advanced research skills, our Pre-Conference Day offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with peers, learn from experts, and gain tools to make a lasting impact.
Why Attend?
This Pre-Conference Day promises to offer:
Insightful expert-led sessions: Engage in discussions on critical issues such as equity, practitioner burnout, mandated reporting, and trauma-informed care.
Collaborative networking: Connect with fellow school social workers and create strategies to foster inclusive, supportive environments.
Actionable tools: Walk away with practical solutions to address the systemic challenges you encounter every day in schools.
A focus on leadership and advocacy: Develop skills to drive positive change in your school community and advocate for the needs of students and families.
With sessions designed to empower, this day of learning and collaboration will give you the resources you need to lead with confidence and compassion.
Pre-conference #1: We [Still] Deserve Better: Collective Self-Care and Systemic Change
Led by Sonja Ford, LCSW and Diana Rarich, LCSW, this session focuses on the intersection of equity and self-care. Using the Courageous Conversations Compass® framework, participants will explore personal and professional barriers that can hinder equitable practice in schools. Through journaling and self-reflection, you will identify strategies for creating more inclusive environments.
Sonja Ford, LCSW is asocial worker and Equity Liaison for the Cherry Creek School District, known for her work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusionary (DEI) practices. She is a dedicated advocate for inclusivity in education, promotes social justice and equity through her work as a member of the National Association of Black Social Workers, and continued success in securing federal funding for students with disabilities.
Diana Rarich, LCSW is a seasoned school social worker with expertise in social-emotional learning and a certified facilitator of The Daring Way™ based on Brené Brown’s research. Over the past 2 decades, Diana has diligently worked to support youth and families in schools, in residential care, foster care, and child protection services. She also has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work and volunteers with the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Services. She currently serves as the Social Emotional Learning Coordinator in Cherry Creek Schools.
Pre-conference #2: Collective Self-Care and Addressing Practitioner Burnout in School Social Work
Burnout is a growing concern, and this session tackles the systemic and contextual challenges that exacerbate it. Facilitated by Dr. Stephanie Carnes, PhD, LCSW, LL.M and Dr. Robin DeLuca-Acconi, PhD, LCSW, this workshop will shift the focus from individual self-care to collective care, addressing issues like school-based violence, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and policies that restrict social-emotional learning.
Dr. Stephanie Carnes, PhD, LCSW, LL.M is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Sacred Heart University, bilingual clinician, and advocate with over 15 years of experience. Her work includes specifically supporting Central American immigrant youth and families and has extensive research focused on burnout among school social workers and collective self-care.
Dr. Robin DeLuca-Acconi, PhD, LCSW is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of School Social Work programming at Stony Brook University. She consults with Long Island schools on trauma-sensitive practice, school avoidance, and empathetic distress. With over 20 years of practice as a school social worker, she created Stony Brook University's school social work program in 2024. Her research is focused on education equity and student outcomes.
Pre-conference #3: Navigating Mandated Reporting: Cultural and Ethical Considerations for School Social Workers
Led by experts in child welfare and ethics, this session will explore the complexities of mandated reporting. Participants will engage in discussions around cultural competence and ethical dilemmas in identifying and reporting abuse and neglect.
April Ferguson, LCSW-C brings deep experience in trauma-informed therapy and child welfare policy advocacy. She is the Children and Adolescents Senior Practice Associate at the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) providing expertise on issues that impact children and their families.
Andrea Murray, MSW, LICSW is the Director of the NASW Office of Ethics and Professional Review. She oversees ethics and programming, as well as professional review. Andrea began her career in D.C.'s child welfare system and later worked with Casey Family Programs. She develops NASW ethics resources, including Ethics 8 series and NASW's 2022 online ethics course.
Pre-conference #4: Empowering Change: Trauma-Informed, Restorative Justice Approaches to Social Justice and Advocacy in Social Work
Kenneth L. Bourne Jr., MSW, LSW will lead this session on how trauma-informed practices and restorative justice can transform the way school social workers address inequities. Rooted in accountability, community-building, and culturally responsive approaches, this session focuses on supporting marginalized students, particularly Black boys and young men.
Kenneth L. Bourne Jr., MSW, LSW named 2024 Social Worker of the Year by NASW-PA, Bourne has dedicated his career to advocating for equity through trauma-informed programming. He is an award winning social worker, educator, and advocate for equity for Black boys and men. He is the author of Anger Management for Black Male Teens and founder of Bourne Anew, offering trauma-informed, culturally relevant programming and is a sought-after speaker on antiracist, healing-centered practices. He serves on the faculty at Widener University and the University of Tennessee.
Pre-conference #5: Pre-Conference Researcher Forum
The SSWAA Research Forum provides an opportunity for school social work researchers to share ideas, discuss challenges, and set the research agenda for the future. Facilitated by leading scholars Dr. Lucio, Dr. Brandon D. Mitchell, and Dr. Tasha Childs, this workshop will explore the National School Social Work Practice Model 2.0 and encourage collaborative dialogue on how research can drive school social work forward.
Dr. Robert Lucio, PhD, LCSW, has over 30 years of experience with research supporting youth facing heightened vulnerability to impacts in behavioral, academic, and mental health outcomes. Dr. Lucio consults with local school districts to enhance social workers' use of evidence-based interventions, advocacy, and provision of culturally relevant practices for vulnerable youth. He is experienced in developing youth risk and protective factors models and provides training on data-based decision-making and advocacy.
Dr. Brandon D. Mitchell, PhD, MSW, is an Assistant Professor at the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social work at Norfolk State University, whose research focuses on the impact of policies and media discourse on youth development, as well as justice-oriented action for school social workers.
Dr. Tasha Childs, PhD, MSW, LMSW, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri and a licensed social worker trained as a school social worker. She has expertise in and research-focused on eliminating racial inequities in schools, addressing teacher bias, improving access to mental health services, and developing school social work interventions. Over the past seven years, she has collaborated with multiple states to enhance mental health access and school improvement modules. She has 17 peer-reviewed publications and 40 national presentations.
Preconference #6: Unlocking the Power of Data: Research Skills for School Social Work Practitioners
In this hands-on session, participants will learn how to effectively use data to demonstrate the impact of school social work. Dr. Robert Lucio, PhD, LCSW, Dr. Brandon D. Mitchell, PhD, MSW and Dr. Xiao Ding, PhD, MSSA, LMSW will guide attendees through data analysis, visualization techniques, and the creation of research plans. Don’t forget to bring your laptop for the practical portion of the workshop!
Xiao Ding, PhD, MSSA, LMSW, is a postdoctoral scholar at Case Western Reserve University, with expertise in trauma-informed care, mental health services, and evidence-based interventions for high-needs adolescents. She specializes in school social work, mental health services for children and families, and brief interventions for high-needs adolescents. Xiao's work is published in School Mental Health, Children and Youth Services Review, and Research on Social Work Practice.
Be a Part of the Change!
Join us for a day of growth, reflection, and leadership at the Pre-Conference Day of the 28th Annual National School Social Work Conference. Whether you are looking to refine your skills, connect with peers, or engage with the latest research, this event is designed to inspire and equip you to advance your practice and make a meaningful impact in your school community.
We look forward to seeing you there!
