School Social Work Policy & News

April Ferguson LCSW-C, Senior Practice Associate: Children and Adolescents

In October 2024, NASW Senior Practice Associate, April Ferguson,  participated in the Center for American Progress 10th National Gun Violence Prevention Summit as a panelist in a morning breakout session; Safe Learning Environments: Investing in School-Based Behavioral Health Personnel and Community Partnerships. The 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. NASW highlighted the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration, threat assessments, Multi-Tiered System of Support interventions and the importance of safe storage and responsible gun ownership.

Our nation is grappling with a mental health crisis that was worsened by social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. One factor contributing to rising levels of depression and anxiety is social media. In fact, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a warning in May about the ill effects social media may be having on our nation’s youth, making them more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. Social workers, including those who work in our nation’s schools, account for one of the largest groups of mental health service providers in the United States. School social workers are poised to offer advice to parents, students, and the news media on how families can help their children avoid the pitfalls of social media.

JC Hall, MSW, LCSW, is a hip hop therapist and school social worker in the South Bronx, New York. He works at a high school there, where he is the Hip Hop Therapy Studio Program Director.

JC talks about his mentor, the late Dr. Edgar H. Tyson, and how he turned his love of hip hop and working with youth into a career that he loves.

As gun violence erupts on American streets and in schools, churches and homes, social workers are among the first responders and are still there, years later, supporting victims’ family members and communities.

Going back to school brings a whole new problem for some children — anxiety. “There are a variety of reasons that school-aged children might have anxiety when it comes to school,” said Stephanie Galloway-Maslanik, a licensed clinical social worker and Juniata Valley School District social worker. “For younger children, this anxiety might stem from being separated from their families and the comfort of being at home, especially after a long summer without school.”

As kids return to classrooms across the country, back-to-school stress is certainly on the minds of many students and parents alike. And while each age brings its unique set of challenges, there are two back-to-school stressors that experts see affecting a range of students.

"All of this is normal," says Jennifer Kelman, licensed clinical social worker and mental health expert with JustAnswer. "A lot of parents and kids, whatever the ages, feel that they are the only one that feels as if they are nervous, worried, anxious, reluctant — but I think if you go to most kids and most parents, everyone feels something with the return of school."