MAY,  2004

How The Focus Group Was Formed

To improve the understanding of social work practice in New York City public school settings, and school social workers 'contributions and challenges in these settings, NASW's Center for Social Work Policy and Practice convened a group of nine social workers employed by the New York City Department of Education.   Four of the five boroughs were represented, as were an array of roles performed, including providing assessments for special education and working with children in regular education.

Participants were told in advance that they would not be publicly identified, nor would their schools.   Each social worker was told that they were invited to share their experiences as professionals in the field, for the explicit purpose of assisting NASW's Center to better understand the state of social work practice in public schools and to address possible policy implications.

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