Indiana School Social Work Association

11/17/2025

This year’s INSSWA Fall Conference was amazing! From celebrating the School Social Worker of the year to introducing the new president, the conference was jammed pack with excitement! We loved connecting with school social workers and community partners from all over the state! Thank you for coming and please join us for the spring conference 💚

10/27/2025

Did you know if you come to our 29th annual Fall Conference “Fostering Belonging: Creating Systems of Support for Learners of All Abilities” you will be able to hear from the host of a great podcast, Dr. Naz Zerka, LCSW, DSW. It is a podcast revolving around mental health! We will link his podcast in our story!
If you have any questions please reach out to insswapresidentelect@gmail.com

10/25/2025

Thank you INSSWA lobbyist Joel Hand for representing us to draw attention to the school social worker shortage and educator pay parity in Indiana!

“Hand additionally called attention to Indiana’s severe shortage of school social workers, which he and others flagged as a “critical” issue in the midst of growing mental health needs across the state’s schools.

The latest data from the state and national school social worker associations showed that Indiana has a student-to-social worker ratio of 1,829 to 1 — massively above the recommended ratio of 250 to 1.

“With the enormous crisis we have in Indiana — and really throughout the country — with mental health in our schools, this is a ratio that I would strongly challenge you as members of the General Assembly to work on,” Hand said.”

New data shows that while Indiana teacher pay has climbed in recent years, Hoosier educators still earn less than peers in neighboring states

10/25/2025

Free CEU opportunity for October and November!

10/05/2025

Have you registered for our 29th annual Fall Conference yet??? “Fostering Belonging: Creating Systems of Support for Learners of All Abilities” will be held Friday, November 14th 2025 at the Ivy Tech Conference Center Downtown Indianapolis. Join us to learn from keynote speaker Dr. Naz Zerka, LCSW, DSW along with 12 break out sessions to learn new strategies and practical tools to support ALL learners.
Check out these reviews from last year’s fall conference! If you have any questions please reach out to insswapresidentelect@gmail.com

09/28/2025

Check out INSSWA.teachable.com for new webinars added this week!

09/20/2025

Don’t forget to register for our 29th annual Fall Conference “Fostering Belonging: Creating Systems of Support for Learners of All Abilities” on Friday, November 14th 2025 at the Ivy Tech Conference Center Downtown Indianapolis. Join us to learn from keynote speaker Dr. Naz Zerka, LCSW, DSW along with 12 break out sessions to learn new strategies and practical tools to support ALL learners. Check out the brochure! We hope to see you there! If you have any questions please reach out to insswapresidentelect@gmail.com

09/19/2025

We have some great options available for our fall retail preorder! Check out the link in the September newsletter sent today.

09/18/2025

Terry Miller and Michele Whaley are in Lexington Kentucky representing Indiana at the Midwest Council meeting.

09/08/2025

Congratulations to Elizabeth Elliott for being named the Indiana 2025 School Social Worker of the Year!

09/06/2025

Indiana University’s Mental Health Service Capacity Building Program is addressing our state’s mental health crisis by partnering with schools to provide more support to youth. The provider-to-student ratios in Indiana schools are alarmingly high: 2,700 students per school psychologist, 1,829 students per social worker and 694 students per counselor. These figures far exceed the recommended ratios of one counselor or social worker for every 250 students and one psychologist for every 500 students.
School Social Workers play a critical role in:
• Supporting students’ mental health, behavior, and academic success
• Providing early intervention and crisis support
• Connecting families, schools, and communities with needed services
and resources
• Advocating for policies that promote educational access for all

As student mental health needs grow, adequate staffing is not optional; it’s essential. Schools must ensure sustainable funding and hiring practices to maintain the social, emotional, and mental health services students depend on.

08/31/2025

School Social Workers are crucial in creating environments where all students can thrive, using their unique training to address mental health, social-emotional, and behavioral challenges. They provide a holistic perspective, bridging the gap between home, school, and community to ensure students’ needs are met through comprehensive interventions at the individual, small group, and school-wide levels. With unique expertise in mental health, trauma, and equity, School Social Workers are essential in addressing growing challenges in education and ensuring healthier school climates and better educational outcomes 🎓📚🖍️🎉✨