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Child and Adolescent Practice Area 2024 Annual Recap

April Ferguson, LCSW-C, Senior Practice Associate

January 2025

Last year, NASW worked to support children, youth, and families (CYF) and in 2025, we will continue our commitment to preparing social workers to support and advocate for families. During 2024, the Children and Adolescents practice area published resources, advocated in Congress, coordinated a back-to-school campaign, contributed to school violence prevention, collaborated with the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a preconference presentation and prepared, finalized, and received approval of the new school social work standards. Detailed activities included but were not limited to the following:

  • Approved Final Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP) guidance: January 2024 In partnership with the National Alliance of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Coalition, NASW voted to approve SISP guidance that outlines the role of SISP in the education system. This tool serves to educate stakeholders and promote the critical role of school social workers in assisting students and families to achieve academic success.
  • Tackling Substance Use in Schools: Current Challenges and Social Work Solutions: February 2024 NASW wrote a new Tips and Tools document for social workers to address substance use in the school system. This document identifies three issues impacting youth substance use and offers resources for social workers to manage and address these challenges.
  • NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in Child Welfare: March 2024 NASW gathered social work experts to create a child welfare task force. The task force will review the 2013 child welfare practice standards and update the standards to current best practices.
  • Child Abuse Prevention Month: April 2024 NASW recognized Child Abuse Prevention Month. During this month, NASW raised awareness of prevention efforts that aim to end abuse and neglect. In recognition of this month social workers were invited to participate in advocacy opportunities and were given resources that support the wellbeing of children and families.
  • Foster Care Month: May 2024 NASW recognized National Foster Care Month. During this month, NASW highlighted the importance of prioritizing kinship care, training foster families, and incorporating lived expertise into service delivery. Many aspects of foster care are challenging for children and their families, but social workers can help families through this difficulty.
  • NASW National Conference: June 19 – 22, 2024 Social workers gathered for NASW’s national conference in DC. Social workers met to advocate on capitol hill, network and learn best practices. Sessions that covered child and adolescent matters discussed youth mental health support, unaccompanied immigrant children, childhood trauma and more. NASW 2025 conference is June 15–19, 2025 | Chicago, Illinois.
  • Rooted in Change: Cultivating Youth Behavioral Wellness at Home and In Communities: July 31, 2024 The NASW practice team and policy team cosponsored a congressional briefing highlighting the importance of community and in home mental health support. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Youth Villages, and the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) were cosponsors. During the briefing, social workers provided testimony about the benefits of library and school social work services. Read the full story.
  • National Campaign: Back to School with Social Workers: Social Media Smarts: August/2024-2025 School Year This year’s Back to School Campaign focused on Social Media Utilization. NASW partnered with the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) to provide resources for school social workers, parents, and students returning to school. Children and Screens: Institute for Digital Media and Child Development also provided a promotional video that highlighted parent tipsheets, webinars and expert advice around youth social media use.
  • School Violence: Considerations for School Social Workers: September 2024 NASW wrote a new practice perspective for social workers to address violence in the school system. This document highlights the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration during threat assessments, partnership with school resource officers, and mental health and academic support for students. A 2024 MemberLink Top 10 Article.
  • Center for American Progress 10th Gun Violence Prevention Summit: September 23 – 24, 2024 NASW Participated in the Center for American Progress 10th Gun Violence Prevention Summit in a morning breakout session; Safe Learning Environments: Investing in School-Based Behavioral Health Personnel and Community Partnerships. Panelists discussed contributing factors to school gun violence, the school social workers role in creating a safe learning environment, and preventative practices to reduce violence in schools.
  • American Public Health Association (APHA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Champion of Change Cohort: October 26, 2024 NASW co-presented at the APHA Annual Meeting with the Epilepsy Foundation New England, Hopeful Change, Puerto Rico Public Health Trust, and The YMCA. The presentation covered adverse childhood experiences, (ACES), overdose, and suicide prevention. NASW highlighted the work of children, youth and family social workers to advocate for prevention and provide intervention to clients impacted by ACES.
  • National Adoption Month: November 2024 NASW celebrated National Adoption Month. During this month, NASW reflected on the benefits of adoption and social workers’ roles in helping children and their adoptive families. This month is also a time to explore ways social workers can support and encourage the adoption of teenagers. President and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption also recorded a podcast with NASW.
  • Practice Standards for School Social Workers: December 2024 NASW Board of Directors approved the new School Social Work Standards. The most recent update is available and a preview of the standards was presented by the chairs and committee members at the 2024 NASW Fall Forum.



Looking Forward to 2025

A Child Trends Report, highlights 2024 trends to consider in 2025. This year CYF are facing challenges around AI, economic stability, childcare costs, and changes in politics. CYF social work still needs to navigate challenges related to poverty, child protection, health care, diversity and youth online use. Future NASW projects include a presentation at the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) national conference with NASW ethics, continued work with the Child Welfare Tasks Force, and recognition of national observances for National Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Foster Care Month, and National Adoption Awareness Month. 2025 will be a rewarding and challenging year for CYF social work.



Resources

NASW Specialty Practice Sections (SPS)

Children, Adolescents and Young Adults (CAYA) Specialty Practice Section
https://www.socialworkers.org/careers/specialty-practice-sections/Children-adolescents-and-young-adults

Child Welfare Specialty Practice Section
https://www.socialworkers.org/careers/specialty-practice-sections/Children-adolescents-and-young-adults

School Social Work Specialty Practice Section
https://www.socialworkers.org/careers/specialty-practice-sections/School-Social-Work



Mark Your Calendars for the 2025 NASW National Conference!

https://www.socialworkers.org/Events/NASW-Conferences