School Social Work: A Skills-Based Competency Approach

Informed by a social justice approach, this user-friendly text for social work students provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary school social work practice structured around the 2022 CSWE EPAS Competencies. With a focus on skills development, this innovative text is competency-based and encompasses professionalism, cross-disciplinary collaboration, research applications, theoretical foundations, policies, engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation.

Following a brief historical overview and introduction to the discipline, the book delves into school social work practice and delivers timely content regarding professional identity, supervision, anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Practice knowledge is examined through social work theory, evidence-informed practice, use of data, and policies regarding school, children, and families. The text addresses the full range of client engagement, service provision, the multi-tiered system of supports, trauma-based practices, social emotional learning, termination, and transition-planning. An instructor's manual, sample syllabus, and PowerPoints accompany each chapter. Purchase includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers.

Key Features:

• Organizes content by the CSWE professional competencies
• Provides case scenarios and practitioner spotlights in each chapter to illuminate the varied roles and responsibilities of school social workers
• Includes skill-development activities, additional resources, and reflection boxes to foster understanding and creative thinking
• Delivers a comprehensive focus covering policy, practice, and theory
• Addresses the full range of client engagement and service provision
• Incorporates contemporary issues relevant to school practice (MTSS, SEL, IDEA, ESSA)
• Views the discipline through a decolonial lens and acknowledges structural racism in the school system

Giesela Grumbach, PhD, LCSW, PEL (IL), is the Chair of the Department of Social Work at Governors State University. Her work experience spans 35 years working in schools, medical and legal settings, as well as private practice. Dr. Grumbach provided counseling services for parents seeking reunification with their children as a subcontractor of child welfare agencies. Dr. Grumbach has also provided court testimony for clients seeking family reunification due to involvement in the child welfare system. Additionally, she provided clinical supervision to child welfare professionals seeking licensure post-graduation from an accredited MSW program through an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) and Governors State University partnership. Dr. Grumbach is the past president of the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter (2005–2007). She continues to engage in professional associations through the NASW and the Council on Social Work Education (as a reviewer of MSW minority fellowship applicants).

JoDee Keller, PhD, LICSW (WA), is a Professor Emerita of Social Work at Pacific Lutheran University, where she taught for 34 years. Dr. Keller has explored comparative child welfare, examining child welfare practices in both European and Caribbean countries. Dr. Keller has conducted research on child abuse prevention and help-seeking behavior as it relates to ethnic diversity and income status, as well as exploring supports and barriers for parents who are seeking assistance with parenting. Dr. Keller maintains her involvement with NASW; the Council on Social Work Education, where she is a re-accreditation site visitor; a local school district; and a Washington State Educational Service District, where she is a member of a multidisciplinary team providing professional training for applicants seeking school certification.