About us
"Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story."
-Josh Shipp
Our Mission
The School Social Work Association of Nebraska is dedicated to promoting the profession of School Social Work and the professional development of School Social Workers in order to enhance the educational experience of students and their families.
Our Goals
Promote service delivery models that will empower children, families, schools and communities to be effective participants in the learning process. - Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with various local, state and national associations, organizations and educational institutions for the purpose of meeting the needs of children and families. - Stimulate the development and effective delivery of School Social Work Services - Encourage and facilitate the educational and professional growth of School Social Workers.
School Social Workers....
Help students to:
Cope in times of crisis
Access mental health services
Become resilient and successful learners
Gain personal and social competencies
Support parents to:
Effectively participate in their child's education
Understand their child's development
and educational needs
Access school and community resources
Strengthen parenting skills
Work with school administrators to:
Implement effective prevention programs and policies which address:
School attendance
Alcohol & Substance Abuse
Teen pregnancy
Violence
Suicide & sudden death
Child abuse/ Neglect
School safety
Mental Health Services
SSWAN Board Members
Executive Board
President:
Carrie Erks
Lincoln Public Schools
cerks@lps.org
Past President:
Molly Schnabel
Papillion-LaVista Community Schools
mschnabel@paplv.org
Treasurer:
Susie Jones
Bellevue Public Schools
susan.jones@bpsne.net
Secretary:
Whitney Brown
Lincoln Public Schools
wbrown@lps.org
Member at Large:
Lily DeFrank
Omaha Public Schools
lily.defrank@ops.org
Consultants
University Representative
Susan Raey
sreay@unomaha.edu
University Representative
Megan Pendley
mpendley@nebrwesleyan.edu
Midwest Representative
Emily Arkfeld
emily.arkfeld@unl.edu
Consultant
Amanda Randall
arandall@unomaha.edu
Committee Chairs
Conference Committee
Amber King
amber.king@plcschools.org
Jewel Schifferns
jschifferns@childrensomaha.orgEngagement Committee
Sally Smith
ssmith@gips.org
Ann Holley ann.holley@centralvps.org
Legislative Committee
Lori McArthur
lormcarthur@kearneycats.com
Mary Bahney
marylby@aol.com