Social Work Services
School social work is a specialized area of practice within the broad field of the social work profession. School Social Workers are the link between school and community in providing services to students, families, and school personnel to promote and support students’ academic and social success. For districts like ours, school social workers enhance the our ability to meet its academic mission, especially where home, school and community is the key to achieving student success.
Role of School Social Worker
School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school system and the student services team. District school social workers are trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic, and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators as well as provide individual and group counseling/therapy. School social workers are instrumental in furthering the mission of the schools which is to provide a setting for teaching, learning, and for the attainment of competence and confidence.
School social work services
School social workers participate in special education assessment meetings as well as; individual Educational Planning Meetings/Multi-tiered Systems of Supports Meetings; they work with those problems in a child's living situation that affect the child’s adjustment at home, school, and community; they prepare a social or developmental history on a child with a disability; they mobilize family, school, and community resources to enable the child to learn as effectively as possible in his or her educational program; and, assist in developing positive behavioral intervention strategies.
School social work student services
Provide crisis intervention; Develop intervention strategies to increase academic success; Assist with conflict resolution and anger management, Help the child develop appropriate social interaction skills; and, Assist the child in understanding and accepting self and others.
School social work parent/family services
Work with parents to facilitate their support in their children's school adjustment; Alleviate family stress to enable the child to function more effectively in school &community; Assist parents to access programs available to students with special needs; and, Assist parents in accessing and utilizing school and community resources.
SERVICES TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL
Provide staff with essential information to better understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting a student’s performance and behavior; Assess students with mental health concerns; Develop staff in-service training programs; Assist teachers with behavior management; and, Providing direct support to staff.
SCHOOL-COMMUNITY LIAISON
Obtain and coordinate community resources to meet students' needs; Help school districts receive adequate support from social and mental health agencies; Advocate for new and improved community/school service to meet the needs of students and families; and, Help the system respond effectively to each child's needs.
SERVICES TO DISTRICTS
Assist in developing and implementing educational programs for children for exceptional children; Develop alternative programs for students with attendance concerns or involvement with the law; Identify and reporting child abuse and neglect; and, Provide case management for students and families requiring multiple resources.