Current Board Members:
President: Cheri Koochel
Vice President Teresa Palmer
Past President: Barb Meyer
Secretary: Leslie Carr
Treasurer: Becky Hegler
Membership Chair: Ragan Snyder - Smith
Member-at-Large: Stephanie Holloway
Communications Co-Chair: Katie Berry
Legislative Co-Chair: Norella Munoz and Samantha Jacobs
Professional Development Chair: Kristen Garner
Northwest Representative: Laura Chartier
Northeast Representative: Kim Simpson, Rebecca Trapp - Marquez, and Aarion Rideaux
Southwest Representative: Lindsey Sill
Southeast Representative: Gerri Blaisdell
KSDE Liaison: Shanna Bigler
Fort Hays Faculty Liaison: Rekala Tuxhorn
Wichita State University Faculty Liaison: Amy Nolen
Washburn FacultyLiaison: Kim Harrison
Kansas University Faculty Liaison: Michael Riquino
Newman University Faculty Liaison: Jennifer Jones
Washburn Student Representative:
KU Student Representative: Faith Panzer
Newman University Student Representative: Mikah Kemper
WSU Student Representative: Grant Pritz
FHSU Student Representative: Jordon Snow
KSSWA Mission: KSSWA is a professional organization dedicated to promoting school social workers through advocacy, professional development and communication within the profession.
2020-2021 Focus
∙ Continue advocacy efforts through increased social media presence - Facebook, LinkedIn, KSSWA website, Instagram, Twitter.
∙ Strengthen relationships with KSDE, K-NASW, SSWAA and Midwest Council.
∙ Increase involvement with the Mental Health Awareness Day event.
∙ Expand Legislative Committee and increase communication to members regarding legislative updates.
∙ Provide relevant professional development through our Fall and Spring conferences.∙ Develop emerging leaders through increased participation on KSSWA and SSWAA committees.∙ Broaden connection and communication between Kansas School Social Workers by
providing opportunities to network - FB events, Book Study, informal discussion by regions.∙ Increase total membership by at least 10%. February 2020 total membership was 128.
KSSWA History
We were established in 1973 by a group of school social workers and their clients in the educational arena.
Our state association is part of the Midwest School Social Work Council, an eleven state regional organization that works to promote best practice and support social work in education.
KSSWA has a voice in developing policy at the state level, as well as regionally and nationally through our association with the Midwest School Social Work Council and the School Social Work Association of America.
KSSWA's executive board meets four times a year, and we hold a general membership meeting annually.