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