​November 16 & 17, 2026
Mcnamara Alumni Center, Minneapolis, MN
The MSSWA 2026 Fall Conference brings together school social workers, mental health professionals, and student support leaders from across Minnesota for a powerful day of connection, learning, and professional growth. Designed to address the evolving needs of today’s schools and students, this conference offers practical tools, meaningful conversations, and expert-led training to help attendees strengthen their impact in their communities.
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Rate Schedule
MSSWA Member
Early Bird
$329
June 1 - September 30
Non-MSSWA
$394
Regular Rate
October 1 - November 6
$344
$410
Single Day Rate
$179
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June 1 - November 6
$244
Other Professionals
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$354
June 1 - November 6
Student Rate
June 1 - November 6
$179
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MSSWA Board, Committee Chairs,
& Region Reps
$179
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Must Volunteer 2 Shifts
June 1 - November 6
MSSWA 2026 Fall Conference participants can earn up to 12.5 CEUs.
Please note: If you are an administrative assistant completing the registration form on behalf of an attendee, please consult with the attendee before proceeding to confirm:
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Which sessions they plan to attend
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Whether they have any dietary restrictions
Interested in applying for a conference scholarship?
See the opportunity from the Minnesota Department of Education below. Scholarships are not guaranteed due to the limited number available. If selected, Megan Lagasse, Student Support Personnel Specialist, will contact you directly with registration details after September 25th, 2026. The scholarship covers conference attendance only. If lodging is required, you must arrange it separately. If you have questions about this opportunity, please reach out to Megan Lagasse directly at megan.lagasse@state.mn.us.
Specialized Learning Tracks
This year’s conference will feature three specialized learning tracks designed to provide focused, practical strategies for today’s most pressing challenges in student support and mental health services. Attendees may choose to follow a specialized learning pathway or attend additional breakout sessions pertaining to their learning interests. The specialized learning tracks are School Safety, Grief & Loss (which includes required follow-up coursework and attendance at both sessions), or Evidence Based Practices. Each pathway offers meaningful professional development opportunities tailored to strengthen your impact and deepen your expertise.
School Safety
Focused on strategies and evidence-based practices for prevention, assessment, and response.
Grief & Loss
Focused on foundations of school-based grief support and application of grief group curriculum.
Cohort participants must complete 4 virtual post-conference sessions and host one grief group during the 2026–27 school year.
Limited to 20 participants.
Evidence Based Practices
Practical interventions and systems that strengthen student mental health and school support services
New Venue
We’re excited to announce that this year’s conference will be held at McNamara Alumni Center in Minneapolis, and we look forward to gathering in this beautiful venue.​
Parking spaces will be reserved for MSSWA Fall Conference participants both Monday and Tuesday until 8am at the Washington Ave Ramp at the rate of $15 per day. Parking is not included with conference registration. In addition, there are two additional parking ramps and daily rates available.
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University Ave Ramp - $13 daily rate
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Oak Street Ramp - $13 daily rate
A room block is available at Graduate by Hilton Minneapolis for conference attendees.
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Rooms are $149/night and are first come, first serve.
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To reserve a room by phone, please call (612) 379-8888 - ask for MSSWA Room Block, Code 90B.
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This rate is available until October 25, 2026.
Room Block
Sponsorship
Opportunities
We would love to partner with you as a sponsor for this year’s Fall Conference! Explore our new opportunities designed to give your company increased visibility and meaningful engagement throughout the event.
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If you don’t see an option that’s the right fit for your organization or budget this year, we’d still love to connect. Please reach out and we’ll be happy to customize an opportunity that works for you.
Meet the Speakers
Click on the photo of each speaker to view their bio and session descriptions.
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2026 Conference Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
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Conference Guide
Check out our Fall Conference PDF guide outlining everything you need to know for registration.
The guide includes detailed information about each breakout session, including session requirements, CEU credits, and applicable categories, to help you plan your conference experience.
In addition, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for whitelisting MSSWA emails to ensure you receive important conference updates and announcements throughout the year.
