About Us
The School Social Work Association of Alabama was founded in February 2016. School social workers from around the state met to create the association’s by-laws and elect the first executive board. The purpose of SSWAAL is to strengthen the profession of school social work by providing meaningful opportunities for professional development and networking to school social workers as well as to advocate for social workers to be employed with every local education agency in Alabama.
Who are School Social Workers?
School Social Workers are trained professionals with a degree in social work who provide services related to students and their family’s social, emotional, and mental health needs. According to the NASW Practice Standards for School Social Workers, we aim to promote equitable education and opportunities that elevate student’s mental, physcial, emotional and societal well being.
We work with students and families to reduce the barriers of learning by providing direct and indirect services. School Social Workers can provide a wide array of services including:
- Crisis Intervention
- Home Visits
- Assessment of Mental Health Concerns
- Link Families to Appropriate Resources
- Address Issues of Attendance and Truancy
- Case Management Services
School Social Workers are a critical link between schools, homes, communities, and student outcomes.
Current News
Are you interested in serving on the Executive Board for SSWAAL? We are currently accepting board nominations for the following positions:
- President
- Section 1. Duties of the President
- Preside at all annual meetings; Preside over Executive Committee and Executive Board meetings; Shall appoint chairperson for all standing or Ad Hoc committees; Upon completion of term, the President shall serve 1 year on the Executive Committee in an Ex-Officio capacity as
- Preside at all annual meetings; Preside over Executive Committee and Executive Board meetings; Shall appoint chairperson for all standing or Ad Hoc committees; Upon completion of term, the President shall serve 1 year on the Executive Committee in an Ex-Officio capacity as
- Section 1. Duties of the President
- Vice President
- Section 2. Duties of the Vice-President
- Preside at meetings in the absence of the President and shall succeed him/her if the President is unable to complete his/her term of office; Serve as Conference Chair or delegate to a designee for the planning and execution of the conference and annual meeting; Serve as the Director of Continuing Education; Maintain all CEU renewals and certifications for events, per standards issued by Alabama Board of Social Examiners.
- Section 2. Duties of the Vice-President
- Treasurer
- Section 4. Duties of the Treasurer
- Receive and collect dues and other funds of this association and shall deposit the same in the name of this Association, in such depository as the Executive Committee may designate; Make disbursements authorized by the Executive Committee of this Association; Submit an annual written financial statement which shall include all receipts and disbursements and submit interim reports as requested by the Executive Committee. Present this report at the annual conference; Maintain a list of current members who have paid dues and provide this list to the Membership Chairperson and Secretary; Ensure that an external audit will be done every 2 years with the changing of officers and an internal audit completed during alternative years by a person selected by the Executive Committee; Ensure that proper documentation and processes are in place for tax purposes, insurance, (liability, bonding) and identified operational expenses (bulk permit, post office box rent).
- Section 4. Duties of the Treasurer
- Parliamentarian
- Section 6. Duties of the Parliamentarian
- Facilitate the business of the Association according to the rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order; Serve as an advisor to the president on matters of procedure; Maintain the official document of the by-laws of the Association; Assist the Vice-President as the conference chair.
- Section 6. Duties of the Parliamentarian
If you or someone you know is interested in any of the above positions, please complete the nomination form below. To be put on the ballot, nominees must meet the following guidelines as listed in SSWAAL By-Laws:
- Must be in good standing of the association.
- Must be employed by a public, private, charter school or education agency.
- Must have a current and valid Alabama social work license.
- Must be in good standing with the Alabama Board of Social Work Examiners.