Addressing School Refusal: Strategies for Students' Return to School

Trainer: Dr. Marya Wright, DSW, MSW

Date: December 6, 2024

Time: 9:15am - 3:15pm

Location: Virtual – Zoom

A gency: A Better Way Inc.

Please use the link provided to complete registration. Participants must complete registration via the A Better Way Inc. website in order to gain full access to the training course.

Please email the training department at [email protected] for further assistance.

A Better Way is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor Continuing Education for LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, LEP (62361). This course meets the qualifications for Continuing Education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. A Better Way maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

D escription:

This course is designed to provide participants with practical strategies to address the increasing issue of school refusal among system involved students. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the causes and impact of school refusal, learn to identify signs of school refusal, and explore evidence-based approaches to support system involved students in returning to school. Through case studies, interactive discussions, and practical exercises, participants will leave with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement individualized strategies for students experiencing school refusal. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout).

Learning Objectives:

• Identify at least three common signs of school refusal and explain at least 2 of their underlying causes for system involved youth.
• Build personalized strategies for two hypothetical youth engaging in school refusal by integrating at least 2 evidence-based strategies and accommodations.
• Explain three effective strategies for engaging parents/caregivers and involving community resources in addressing school refusal.
• Build a custom toolkit for addressing issues regarding school refusal with system-involved youth clients.

Transfer of Learning:

• Participants can apply their understanding of school refusal, including its definition, prevalence, and potential causes to help them recognize and address this issue more effectively.
• Participants can use and share their toolkit of evidence-based strategies to support system involved students experiencing school refusal, fostering their successful return to school, and promoting their academic and social well-being.

Marya Wright, DSW MSW BSW, is a nationally recognized social worker, consultant, educator, and facilitator with extensive experience in organizational leadership, child welfare services, and curriculum development. As the President and CEO of Wright Community Services LLC, Dr. Wright is dedicated to empowering system-involved families through awareness, services, and education. She also provides consultation, training, and facilitation to agencies serving these communities.

Dr. Wright earned her master’s in social work from Cal State East Bay, specializing in Child Welfare Policy and Research, and a bachelor’s in social work with a focus on Child Welfare Services and Motivational Interviewing from San Diego State University. She holds a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, focusing on achieving equal opportunity and justice in the child welfare system.

As a community leader, Dr. Wright prioritizes building relationships, networking, and collaborating with stakeholders to address social and economic issues faced by clients, aiming for justice and peace. She serves as a qualified expert witness and forensic social worker. Additionally, Dr. Wright sits on the Board of Directors for the California Society of Clinical Social Work and is actively involved with the National Association of Social Workers and California Chapter.

Dr. Wright’s research interests include child sexual exploitation, foster care, and algorithmic decision-making in child welfare. She has published articles and lectured extensively on these topics. Dr. Wright’s teaching experience includes courses in sociology and social work at Cal State East Bay, focusing on sexualities, child welfare policy, family sociology, and sexual violence. Currently, she serves as a professor in the graduate program teaching generalist practice, human behavior and social environment, and advance practice children youth and families.

Host or Publisher Wright Community Services LLC