School Social Workers Association of Delaware created, aims to help school social workers and students

DELAWARE – Social workers in Delaware schools are banding together by creating the School Social Workers Association of Delaware. Founding member and social worker at Milton Elementary School Gloria Ho says the group wanted to strengthen support and education for school social workers. “What we began noticing the past few years was the growth and the increase in numbers of school social workers. We saw that there was a need to have a professional organization,” said Ho.

Ho says the founding of the group comes after the passing of House Bill 100. HB100 established mental health units for elementary schools in Delaware. Ho says that leads to an increase in demand for school social workers. “SSWADE will help school social workers by providing them advocacy, networking opportunities, and continued education. Right now it’s focused on the standard that school social workers are adhered to and making sure that they receive the proper training and mentoring,” said Ho.

Ho says on top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic is shown just how much students need the best support possible from social workers. “In the current pandemic, the economic uncertainty and civil unrest, the stress on students and their families has dramatically increased. The immense issues that these families are facing have led to an increased need for school-based mental health services. That was a big push for why we said if not now then when?” said Ho.

Ho says that school social workers play a key role in supporting students and families with mental and behavioral health services. She adds that the next step is for the group to spread the word in their communities and get more support.