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 work is a specialized area of practice within the broad field of the social work profession.

    School social workers are hired by school districts to enhance the district's ability to meet its academic mission, especially where home, school, and community collaboration is the key to achieving student success. 

    School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school system and the student services team.

    School Social Workers are trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents and administrators as well as provide individual and group counseling/therapy.  

    School social workers are instrumental in furthering the mission of the schools which is to provide a setting for teaching, learning, and for the attainment of competence and confidence.

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

    For more information about how the roles and responsibilities of school social work are similar to and also unique from school counselors and school psychologists, please see the below resource, created by MASP, MSCA, and SSWAM in 2009 and then updated in 2016.




    Board of Directors

     President

     Debbie Griffith Fujinami,   LCSW

     Term: 2022-2024

    President-Elect

    Ebony Duncan, LMSW

    Term: 2023-2024


    Co-Secretary

    Tara Olendorff, LCSW

    Term: 2022-2024

     Co-Secretary

     Kristina Forst. LCSW

     Term: 2023-2024

    Co-Treasurer

    Tammy Oltman, LCSW

    Term: 2023-2025

    Co-Treasurer

    Sherri King, LCSW

    Term: 2022-2024

    Member-at-Large

    Arthur Seabury, LMSW, CRAADC, CTP-T

    Term: 2021-2023



    Region 1 Representative

     Katie Burkard, LCSW

     Appointed Board Member

    Region 2

    Representative

    Devin Utz, LCSW

    Appointed Board Member

     Region 2  Representative

     Taylor Kehr, LCSW

     Appointed Board Member

    State Consultant

    Lisa Dierking, LMSW

    Appointed Board Member

    Past Presidents

    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 Sherri King

    Legislative Questions? Contact Deidre Townsend

    Website Questions? Contact Sherri King

    Conference Questions? Contact Cherise Grandison

    Lose a CEU certificate? Contact Tara Olendorff

    Want to Get Involved? Contact Your Regional Representative

    Copyright 2018

    Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software