School Social Work
| School Social Work Trends | 2025-2026 Data Result |
|---|---|
| 1:979 | |
852* *Total Full Time Equivalent (FTE) School Social Workers = 809 |
2017-2024 WI Trend Data on School Social Work
Connect with DPI’s School Social Work Consultant!
The School Social Work Consultant’s role on the Student Services team includes the provision of expert leadership, consultation and technical assistance activities to local school districts, state and local agencies, parents and interest groups regarding school social work practice, ethics and boundaries, pupil records and confidentiality, attendance and truancy prevention, suicide prevention, child abuse and neglect prevention, sexual violence prevention and response, trauma sensitive schools, equitable practices and systems, comprehensive school mental health systems, special education related services, out-of-home care, homelessness, support for individuals with marginalized identities, and other topics involving school, home, and community collaboration.
The consultant is also responsible for providing leadership and consultative assistance to colleges and universities, professional organizations and other interest groups regarding pre-service preparation and continuing professional development for school social workers.
New School Social Worker Resource Sharing Sessions
This is an opportunity geared towards individuals new or fairly new, to the field of school social work - all school social workers are welcome. Drop in to chat about resources available through DPI, ask practice questions, and get support from the state’s school social work consultant. General session topics are provided, however discussions may stray from the topic. This is not a training and does not supplant coursework from a university program, but instead it is another place to ask questions and learn about state and national resources.
Cost: Free
Date and Time: Second Tuesday of the Month, at 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Registration: Register for one or more events using the links below. Each session must be registered for separately.
2025-26 Topics:
- September 9, 2025 - Understanding Your Role and Legal Obligations
- WEDNESDAY, October 15, 2025 - Panel: Experienced SSWers Discuss Advice and Practical Tips for New SSWers
- November 11, 2025 - Pupil Records, Sharing Information, and Documentation
- December 9, 2025 - Panel: School Counselor, School Psychologist, Occupational & Physical Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist - What Do They Do and How to Collaborate
- January 13, 2026 - Navigating Special Education, FBAs, Related Services
- February 10, 2026 - Addressing Chronic Absenteeism
- March 10, 2026 - Supporting Mental Health Systems, Crises, and School Safety
- April 14, 2026 - Collaborations with Child Welfare - Out-of-Home Care, Mandated Reporting, Human Trafficking, and McKinney Vento
- May 12, 2026 - Building Your Practice and Preventing Burnout
- Session Resources
Supporting Mental Health Systems, Crises, and School Safety
Understanding Your Role and Legal Obligations
Special Education and Related Services
Pupil Records and Confidentiality (No handout; all resources are linked on the Confidentiality, Consent, and Student Records webpage)
Attendance/Truancy (No handout; all resources are linked on the School Attendance webpage)
Child Abuse and Neglect, Students in Out-of-Home Care, Collaborating with Child Welfare
