2026 Missouri School Social Worker of the Year:

Debbie Griffith Fujinami   LCSW, MSW, CTRP-C

 School Social Worker of the Year

The School Social Work Association of Missouri is proud to recognize Debbie Griffith Fujinami as the School Social Worker of the Year, honoring an exceptional practitioner whose compassion, leadership, advocacy, and commitment to the whole child exemplify the very best of school social work.

As the School Social Worker at Edison Elementary in St. Joseph, Missouri, Debbie is a trusted and essential presence within her school community. Colleagues describe her as an anchor whose calm presence, expertise, and genuine care create stability for students, families, and staff. Whether supporting a student through a difficult moment, helping an educator navigate challenging behaviors, or connecting a family with essential resources, Debbie leads with empathy, resourcefulness, and an unwavering belief in every student’s potential.

At the heart of Debbie’s practice is a whole-person philosophy. She understands that academic success cannot be separated from mental health, physical well-being, family stability, and belonging. Her work addresses these interconnected needs through social-emotional and behavioral support, family advocacy, resource coordination, and opportunities that build confidence and resilience. As a certified POUND instructor, she has even extended this commitment to wellness through after-school programming that provides students and staff with opportunities for physical activity, stress relief, connection, and self-expression.

Debbie’s influence also extends beyond her school. As an active leader within SSWAM, she advocates for school social work at the local, state, regional, and national levels. Her contributions have included service on Missouri DESE task forces, advancing school-based mental health initiatives, supporting SSWAM conferences and professional development, mentoring fellow professionals, and providing clinical supervision to social workers as a way of giving back to the field.

Across the many recommendations submitted on her behalf, one message was remarkably consistent: Debbie shows up. She shows up for the student who needs a safe person, the family facing barriers, the educator searching for another strategy, and the profession she has devoted herself to serving.

SSWAM proudly celebrates Debbie Griffith Fujinami as our School Social Worker of the Year—a practitioner, advocate, mentor, and leader who embodies school social work at its best: meeting needs, removing barriers, building relationships, and creating opportunities for students and families to thrive.

2026 Missouri Friend of School Social Work of the Year: 

Dr. Jazell Thomas

 Friend of School Social Work of the Year

The School Social Work Association of Missouri is proud to recognize Dr. Jazell Thomas as the Friend of School Social Work of the Year, honoring a leader whose advocacy, encouragement, and commitment have strengthened the school social work profession both within her district and across Missouri.

Dr. Thomas serves as the Coordinator for Counselors and Social Workers in the Hazelwood School District, where she provides leadership and support to School Counselors, School Social Workers, and Home School Communicators. Throughout her work, she has demonstrated a deep understanding of the unique role school social workers play in supporting students’ academic success, mental health, social-emotional development, families, and school communities.

More than a supporter of the profession, Dr. Thomas has been an active champion for its growth. She has expanded opportunities for training and professional development, encouraged school social workers to fully utilize their specialized skills, provided mentorship and guidance, and helped create a professional culture where practitioners feel valued, connected, and empowered in their work.

Her advocacy has also extended beyond the district level. As a contributor to the development of the Missouri Framework for School-Based Mental Health, Dr. Thomas brought an important voice to conversations about comprehensive school mental health services. Throughout that work, she demonstrated a clear understanding of both the collaborative nature of school-based mental health and the distinct expertise and contributions school social workers bring to multidisciplinary teams.

Dr. Thomas is equally intentional about celebrating the people behind the profession. From recognizing School Social Work Week and Month to supporting participation in professional trainings, SSWAM activities, and networking opportunities, she consistently demonstrates that advocacy is not only about acknowledging the importance of school social work—it is also about investing in the professionals who do the work.

Approachable, collaborative, and deeply committed to students and families, Dr. Thomas exemplifies what it means to be a true Friend of School Social Work. Her leadership has helped strengthen practice, build community, elevate the profession, and ensure that school social workers have both a voice and a champion at the table.

SSWAM proudly celebrates Dr. Jazell Thomas for seeing the value of school social work, supporting those who serve, and using her leadership to help the profession continue to grow throughout Missouri.