Jaxinta Shaffer, LCSW, School Safety Program Social Worker, jshaffer@phoenixunion.org; 602-341-3451; Room S143, Office Hours 7:30am-3:30pm

Community social worker, bridge maker and advocate would be some phrases I would use to describe myself. I have over 15 years of experience as a community social worker, before entering school social work I was a medical social worker, then transitioned to clinical practice primarily working with Spanish speaking youth and their families. My primary modalities and theoretical approach with youth and families include play therapy and person centered approaches.

DEGREES:
Master of Public Health (MPH), Arizona State University
Master of Social Work (MSW), Arizona State University
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Arizona State University

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP and LEADERSHIP:
Arizona School Boards Association, Hispanic-Native American Indian Caucus

School Social Work Association of Arizona (Board Member)

CERTIFICATIONS: 

Arizona Department of Education Certified School Social Worker

Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners Licensed Clinical Social Work Supervisor 

TRAUMA INFORMED APPROACHES IN SCHOOLS: Behaviors are a form of communication, sometimes that communication (misbehavior) is no longer productive or is a good way to cope. Trauma Informed approaches allow the informed adult to create safety and build positive coping skills and behaviors (ECHO: Trauma Informed Support for Children. https://www.echotraining.org/trauma-informed-support-for-children/). 

ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACE): ACEs are considered to be developmental traumatic events that harm the developing brain and directly impact how a child responds to adversity, ACEs are linked to poor adult mental and physical health. School staff should assume that students have a trauma history and approach each pupil with an understanding that unhelpful student behaviors may be a reflection of childhood trauma (Arizona Adverse Childhood Experiences Consortium https://azaces.org/). 

Adverse Childhood Experiences Population Trends in Arizona (America's Health Rankings https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/ACEs_8/state/AZ).  ACES to High (https://acestoohigh.com/2012/05/31/massachusetts-washington-state-lead-u-s-trauma-sensitive-school-movement/) 

Adverse Childhood Experience Tree (https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/adverse-childhood-experiences-aces.aspx). School Strategies for Students Experiencing PTSD or Trauma (https://www.verywellfamily.com/ptsd-trauma-4685816). 

Watch: Spanish language panel discussion on mental health and resources available to the community  

Watch: Pa'Que Sepas: The Social Determinants of Education - Mental Health and Education 

Como Cultivar el Desarrollo Social y Emocional de su Estudiante video

• Rueda de Competencia
• 10 Maneras de Preparar a sus Hij@s Adolescentes Para la Universidad y el Trabajo

Social/Emotional Parent Workshops courtesy of the Arizona Attorney General's Office

Anti Bullying for Teens

E Cigarette Awareness for Teens

Human Trafficking for Teens

Internet Safety

Opioid Awareness for Teens

Suicide Prevention for Teens

Young Consumer Guide