MSSWA Virtual Day at the Hill 2022

AGENDA

8:30 - 8:45 Zoom Log In Opens

8:45 - 9:00 Christy McCoy MSW LICSW, MSSWA Legislative Chair and SSWAA President - Welcome, Introductions and Review of the Day

9:00 - 10:20 Keynote: School Social Workers as Nepantleras: Working for Racial Justice and Systemic Change; Dr. Leticia Villarreal Sosa

This presentation will review the role of school social workers as advocates, bridge builders, and transformative leaders.  Schools have historically been a place of forced assimilation and reinforcement of racial and class inequities, but schools can also be a place of empowerment and transformation. School social workers play a key role in leading schools in this process and advocating at all levels given their knowledge of lived realities and systems on the ground. As our code of ethics states, social workers must take action against oppression, racism, discrimination, and inequities, and acknowledge personal privilege.

1. Understand the possibilities and potential of the role of SSW’s as social justice advocates. 

2. Understand the historical context and function of the public school system. 

3. Learn strategies for using your positionality to enact systemic change and equitable practices. 

Dr. Leticia Villarreal Sosa, is a professor at Dominican’s School of Social Work. She earned her Ph.D. at The University of Chicago. She has 14 years experience as a school social worker and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her research focuses on Latinx and immigrant youth, school social work, international social work, and school equity.  She is the Editor-in-Chief of the International School Social Work Journal. Her recent book, School Social Work: National Perspectives on Practice in Schools, promotes school social work aligned with the national practice model with a special focus on an intersectional approach to diversity. Her current research projects focus on utilizing Photovoice with the Muslim/Arab American and Latinx communities as a tool for advocacy, and an immigrant student equity project focused on understanding the role of school social workers in supporting immigrant students. She provides professional development and consultation for clinicians, school social workers, university faculty, and other professionals in areas such trauma, ethics, truancy, cultural humility, equity, and inclusive education. 

10:20 - 10:50 Small Group Breakouts - Networking discussions centered on strengthening the impact of our advocacy at the micro, meso and macro levels to ensure educational equity and to dismantle social injustices.  

10:50 - 11:20 Large group share-out from small group discussions 

11:20 - 11:30 Break

11:30 - 11:45 MDE Director of Government Relations Adosh Unni

11:45 - 12:00 Legislative Priorities from MSSWA Lobbyist Brad Lundell and Christy McCoy 

12:00 - 12:15 Senator Nick Frentz - Tips for Talking to Your Legislator

12:15 - 12:30 Small Breakouts to prepare for Meeting with Legislators 

12:30 - 1:00 Meeting with Legislators from Senate/House Ed Committees

1:00 - 1:15 Closing Remarks and CEU’s