About SSWAM and the Profession

Who We Are

Established in 1980, the School Social Workers Association of Missouri was started by volunteer school social workers who saw the need to advance, grow, and strengthen the profession. SSWAM is still governed by volunteer school social workers from across the state today.

If you are already a member, we invite you to become more involved by becoming part of one of our committees. The success of our organization, and ultimately to the strength of our profession, hinges on membership playing an active role in the organization. Committee service from membership greatly increases the ability of our organization to do the work necessary to improve social work services in schools and, most importantly, meet the needs of the students, families, and schools we serve.

If you are not yet a member, please consider joining and becoming part of the only organization in Missouri that is dedicated solely to the advocacy of the profession of school social work. Exciting changes in education are happening across the state and across the nation. Become part of and help influence change by getting involved in SSWAM today.

About School Social Work

School Social Workers are trained mental health professionals with a degree in social work who provide services related to a person's social, emotional and life adjustment to school and/or society. School Social Workers are the link between the home, school and community in providing direct as well as indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social success.

For more information about school social work, please follow this link to the School Social Workers Association of America website.

National Model 2.0

School Social Work Services

RELATED SERVICES:

Participating in special education assessment meetings as well as individual Educational Planning Meetings
Working with those problems in a child's living situation that affect the child’s adjustment in school. (home, school, and community)
Preparing a social or developmental history on a child with a disability.
Counseling (group, individual and/or family)
Mobilizing family, school, and community resources to enable the child to learn as effectively as possible in his or her educational program
Assisting in developing positive behavioral intervention strategies.

SERVICES TO STUDENTS:

Providing crisis intervention.
Developing intervention strategies to increase academic success.
Assisting with conflict resolution and anger management.
Helping the child develop appropriate social interaction skills.
Assisting the child in understanding and accepting self and others.

SERVICES TO PARENT/FAMILIES:

Working with parents to facilitate their support in their children's school adjustment.
Alleviating family stress to enable the child to function more effectively in school &community.
Assisting parents to access programs available to students with special needs.
Assisting parents in accessing and utilizing school and community resources.

SERVICES TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL:

Providing staff with essential information to better understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting a student’s performance and behavior.
Assessing students with mental health concerns.
Developing staff in-service training programs.
Assisting teachers with behavior management.
Providing direct support to staff.

SCHOOL-COMMUNITY LIAISON:

Obtaining and coordinating community resources to meet students' needs.
Helping school districts receive adequate support from social and mental health agencies.
Advocating for new and improved community/school service to meet the needs of students and families.
Helping the system respond effectively to each child's needs.

SERVICES TO DISTRICTS:

Assist in developing and implementing educational programs for children for exceptional children.
Developing alternative programs for students with attendance concerns or involvement with the law.
Identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.
Providing consultation regarding school law and school policy including IDEA and Section 504.
Providing case management for students and families requiring multiple resources.

Board of Directors

President

Ebony Duncan

Term: 2024-2026

President- Elect

Open

Term: 2025-2026

Co-Treasurer

Christina Ghan

Term: 2025-2027

Co-Treasurer

Raechel Lovingood

Term: 2024-2026

Co-Secretary

Monique Goris

Term: 2025-2027

Co-Secretary

Kristina Forst

Term: 2025-2026

Kristina Forst. LCSW

Term: 2023-2025

Member-at-Large

Arthur Seabury

Term: 2023-2025

Member-at-Large

Katie Burkard

Term 2024-2026

______________________________________

*Region 1- Simone Minner Zabrina Grisby

_________________________________________________

*Region 2- Stephanie Richison Tammy Oltman

Debbie Griffith Fujinami

______________________________________

*Region 3- Danyelle Eads

___________________________________________

*Region 4- Open

_______________________________________________

*Region 5- Open

*Appointed Board Members

_____________________________________________

____________________________________________

DESE Contact Representative

Katie Epema

_____________________________________________

Past Presidents

2022-2024 Debbie Griffith Fujinami

2020-2022 Tammy Oltman

2018-2020 Sherri King

Raytown Quality Schools

2016-2018 Kim Harrelson
Archdiocese of St. Louis

2014-2016 Mary Ellen Trachsel
Webster Groves School District

2012-2014 Gayle Abram
St. Louis Public Schools

2010-2012 Mike Adam
Hazelwood School District

2008-2010 Vanessa Ragsdale
University City School District

2000-2002 Angie Essma
Parkway School District

1998-2000 Sidney Ewards Cole
St. Louis Public Schools

1994-1998 Dot Kontak
Parkway Public Schools

1992-1994 Harold Player
St. Louis Public Schools

1988-1992 Sandy Mueller
Special School District

1986-1988 Francee Luther

1981-1985 Barbara French Lee
Special School District

1980-1981 Regina Edwards
St. Louis Public Schools

Contact Us

The best way to reach one of SSWAM's volunteer Board officers or members is by email. Click on the picture of the Board Member you would like to contact to send them an email. Not sure who to contact? Use the following guide to contact the proper officer or member of the Board of Directors. Still not sure? You can always email us at sswam@sswam.org and someone will get back with you as soon as possible.

Membership Questions?

Contact Christina Ghan

Legislative Questions?

Contact Arthur Seabury

Website/Social Media Questions?

Contact Ebony Duncan

Conference Questions?

Contact Katie Burkard

Lose a CEU certificate?

Contact Debbie Griffith Fujinami

Want to Get Involved? Contact Your Regional Representative