James C. Raines earned his MSSW at Columbia University in New York City and his Ph.D. from Loyola University of Chicago. He has been President of the Illinois Association of School Social Workers, Midwest Council of School Social Workers, and the School Social Work Association of America. Raines has written four books published by Oxford University Press on evidence-based practice, school social work, ethical decision-making, and treating DSM-5 disorders. He has keynoted state, national, and international conferences. The Department Chair of Health, Human Services and Public Policy at California State University Monterey Bay for six years, he is presently Professor of Social Work and teaches professional ethics.

Nic T. Dibble began his professional career as a school social worker in rural school districts. He served as the Wisconsin state consultant for school social work services for 20 years before retirement. His responsibilities included providing technical assistance to and professional development for local pupil services professionals and administrators, creating resources for local school districts, and networking with state-level agencies and organizations. His service included membership on the Midwest School Social Work Council, the NASW School Social Work Section Committee, the Wisconsin Council on Mental Health, and the Wisconsin Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Board. He was previously Chair of the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board and president of his local school board.