Dear fellow SSWAG members:

  The School Social Work Association of Georgia just celebrated its 65th anniversary at the Spring Conference at Sea Palms on Saint Simon’s Island in March, 2012.  The conference concluded with a moving presentation “School Social Workers through the Years.”  The tribute featured photographs of current and past SSWAG members over the past several decades.  A special thank you goes to Tracie Hogan, District 7, for putting this tribute together, honoring so many  social workers who have been associated with SSWAG over the years.  School Social Workers of Georgia were also treated to a birthday tribute video, put together by Karen Koonce, District 4. Ms. Koonce spent weeks putting together a video montage of school social workers throughout the state, wishing SSWAG a happy 65th birthday.  We will make both these presentations available at future conferences for those who were unable to attend. 

  As we enter our 66th year, SSWAG has many exciting initiatives planned.  Georgia SSWAG is now re-affiliated with the School Social Work Association of America. SSWAG’s current Parliamentarian, Melanie Holt, District 6, and Margaret Prentiss, (retired, District 4/5), each played integral roles in the founding of SSWAA and Georgia’s initial affiliation with this organization.  As Georgia was one of the original founding states of SSWAA, SSWAG is proud to be re-affiliated with SSWAA. Michael Norman, District 2, and this past year’s state SSWAG Social Worker of the Year, will continue to serve as our state representative to SSWAA.  Our SSWAA affiliation will enable us to be informed on education policy changes at the national level. This is especially important with Georgia being one of the states receiving an EASA flexibility waiver for No Child Left Behind.

   SSWAG is currently working on a slightly shortened Fall Conference that will be held in mid-October, 2013, in the Atlanta area. Denise Revels, District 4, and Uraine Scott, District 4, are our Fall Conference Chairs, and they are currently working out the final plans for this event. SSWAG listened to our members who asked that we shorten one of our conferences.  We also hope to keep the Fall Conference located in the Atlanta area, where people can attend more easily. Once we have finalized the details at our board meeting in June, we will send this out to our membership and post the information on our website, www.sswag.org.

  As we look to the future, we must prepare for sweeping changes to educational policies in Georgia. This December, every school in Georgia will receive a numerical index score based on 100 points, called the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). Additionally, Georgia joined 46 other states in developing a rigorous core curriculum designed for K-12 students. These new standards, called the “Common Core Georgia Performance Standards,” are designed to prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st century’s global work environments, according to the Georgia Department of Education.

  Jackie Melendez, our DOE SSWAG liaison, presented at the Spring conference. Ms. Melendez showcased how integral school social workers are to helping students develop the social and interpersonal skills needed to be successful in the workplace. Ms. Melendez provided SSWAG members with a copy of her PowerPoint presentation, which outlined in detail how school social workers can support students on Georgia DOE initiatives related to career and workplace readiness. 

I am especially appreciative of outgoing president, Amanda Schutz’s dedication this past year to SSWAG. Amanda, with the support of the Board and SSWAG, accomplished a great deal during her tenure.  Under her leadership, SSWAG made many important changes that place us in a much better position to grow in the future as an organization. 

SSWAG will continue to work on policy and practice issues, as they relate to our work with children in Georgia. As president of SSWAG, I feel honored to work with so many dedicated and inspiring social workers. I am grateful to each of you for your willingness to contribute your time and resources to SSWAG.  We have all had to respond to the increasing demands of our districts to do more with less. In spite of these demands, you continue to advocate for our profession through SSWAG. I want to thank each of you for all you do for our kids. It is truly an honor and privilege to work with each of you.  

Have a safe and restful summer.

Jeff Baker, SSWAG President