School Social Workers, Counselors, and Psychologists in Collaboration: A Shared Agenda

Abstract

This article explores the professional agenda shared by school social workers, counselors, and psychologists and suggests a number of areas in which interdisciplinary collaboration can be forged to further the role, influence, and effectiveness of pupil services personnel. Particularly in times of fiscal retrenchment, a collective force is more powerful than the efforts of any one profession to prevent or ameliorate threats to educational services. Special attention is focused on two areas: promoting public recognition of the three professions and influencing social policy development that effects positive change within the school system and larger society. An advocacy agenda is identified that includes promoting the use of the school's infrastructure as a social services delivery system, encouraging a prevention orientation, documenting the effectiveness of interventions and disseminating research results to influence public policy decision making, and organizing coalitions to further the collective interest.