North Carolina Public Schools - School Social Work April Update
North Carolina Public Schools sent this bulletin at 04/03/2025 08:50 AM EDT
 |
 |
National Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month
April is Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month, a time for communities nationwide to come together and take action to support strong families, thriving children, and healthier communities. This year, we unite under the theme “POWERED BY HOPE, STRENGTHENED BY PREVENTION”, recognizing that when families have the right support, they can build a brighter future for their children. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, we can work together to prevent child abuse before it ever happens.
Why Supporting Families Matters
Too many families and communities in North Carolina don’t have what they need to help children reach their full potential. The data shows that when families have access to support and services when they need them, their emotional and physical well-being improves.
- While 1 in 7 children in the US experience abuse or neglect, research shows that prevention is possible when we increase access to family support and strengthen community connections to reduce childhood adversity.
- Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)—stable relationships and nurturing environments—help children thrive and mitigate Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
- Current systems aren’t meeting the needs of all families — especially those who have been historically left behind.
- For every $10 the U.S. spends on child welfare, only $1.50 goes toward prevention. That means most funding goes toward reacting after abuse or neglect has already happened—when investing earlier could strengthen families and give all children the nurturing, positive childhoods they deserve.
|
Learn More About PCANC:
Prevention 101: Learn the Basics
|
 |
New NC Mental Health Plan Training Courses
 |
The required training topics for SL 2020-7- School Mental Health Policy are now available for FREE through DPI. All PSU certified staff will have access to the courses through NCEES. You can choose to take all 6 or pick the ones you need to complete. A completion certificate will be generated upon completion with a passing score. It is not mandatory that you use this option for training, however, this option is available at no cost for all PSUs. |
New PSU SMH Plan Template
With the 2025 revisions to the SHLT-003 board policy, a new template is now available for the required school mental health plans. This template includes all additions to the policy and is in an easier-to-follow format. Downloads of the template are available on the webpage in PDF and Word. Please review the new materials on the SMH Policy webpages and prepare to submit your new SMH plan by September 15. 2025.
| SMH Policy Components Webpage | 2025 PSU SMH Plan Template |
Social Work Month Was Awesome!
|
March was full of school social work celebrations. We have over 1,500 school social workers in our public schools, and the lengths they go to serve students and families are immeasurable. Thank you all for acknowledging these professionals in your PSUs and celebrating their contributions to student success. |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Johnston County School Social Workers |
Durham Public Schools- Social Worker of the Year, Deja Flythe (center) |
 |
 |
|
| Tomeka Ward-Satterfield, Director of Student Wellness, Durham Public Schools; Joy Harrell-Goff, DPS Board of Education; Pachovia Lovett, State School Social Work Consultant | Valerie Arendt, Executive Director of NASW-NC, led Charlotte Mecklenburg School Social Workers through their Advocacy Day |
ICYMI: NAEHCY Insights- The Impact of School Social Workers
 |
In March, NAEHCY celebrated the impact of school social workers who serve as lifelines for homeless students and families. As McKinney-Vento families search for stability, security, and opportunity, school social workers are often key connectors, delivering essential resources, advocacy, and hope to those who need it most. |
They touched on:
- The dedication of school social workers, who build bridges to provide tangible resources and pathways to success
- The aspirations and challenges of homeless students and their families
- The Collective Caregiving Framework, which embraces a community approach to support
- How to help break the cycle of generational poverty by addressing toxic charity, and looking into best practices that support while also fostering resilience
Professional Development
Alliance for Inclusion & Prevention
Legislative Updates
 |
View the K-12 Education Office of Government and Community Affairs Update from Friday, March 28, 2025. |
SUN Bucks is back for Summer 2025!
|
SUN Bucks is a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides grocery-buying benefits in a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child on a debit-like card that can be used to buy nutritious food during the summer months when schools are out.
Visit ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks for all the details, including eligibility information and FAQs.
|
 |
 |
 |
North Carolina Crisis Services
Get help 24/7.
You are not alone. Get support for social or family situations, depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, alcohol or drug use, or if you just need someone to talk to.
Connect with someone now
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, private and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will listen and, if you need it, find help nearby for you or someone you know.
988 is for everyone and includes special options for veterans, LGBTQI+ young people and people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Hay ayuda en español.
The NC Peer Warmline (855-PEERS-NC or 855-773-7762) is available if you want to talk to a certified specialist who has personal experience with these struggles. They're ready to talk about whatever's going on. It's also free, private and available 24/7 (English only).
SSWAA National Conference
|
|
National Conference Registration is now virtual ONLY April 9-12, 2025 Atlanta, GA |
|
Registration for the National School Social Work Conference is open and we’re thrilled to announce that we are full for in-person attendance! Due to high demand, our hotel block is currently full, but SSWAA has secured additional room blocks at overflow hotels. Don’t wait to register—secure your spot today! |
Receiving this as a forward?
Subscribe to this NCDPI School Social Work newsletter here.
Enter your email, then advance to the next screen that will give you a list of subjects and scroll down to find School Social Work.
The links on this page will bring you to third party websites, owned and operated by independent parties, over which NCDPI has no control. Any link you make to or from these 3rd Party Websites will be at your own risk. Any use of these 3rd Party Websites and any information you provide will be subject to and governed by the terms of the 3rd Party Website, including those relating to confidentiality, data privacy, and security.
Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing, NCDPI is not in any way associated with the owner or operator of any of the 3rd Party Websites or responsible or liable for the goods and services offered by them or for anything in connection with such 3rd Party Websites. NCDPI does not endorse and makes no warranties, representations, or undertakings relating to the content of any 3rd Party Website.
|
Stay Connected with North Carolina Public Schools: |
|||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
|
|
|||||||
