Q. Who is the School Social Worker?

A. School Social Workers are professionals who meet the state requirements to practice social work in the school setting. School Social Workers help students to address barriers to learning through an ecological perspective in which the student is viewed within the context of the classroom, the family, the community and culture. School Social Workers are prepared to understand and assess the functioning of an individual student within the context of multiple environments. School Social Workers provide services to all students related to the student's social and emotional adjustment to school, family, community and society. School Social Workers are the link between the home, school and community providing direct and indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social sucess. With parent/guardian permission, the School Social Worker can also provide individual and group support for students who are having difficulty coping with many of life's stressors. School Social Workers help parents and staff members find information about available community resources and referrals to appropriate agencies. The School Social Worker is an important part of the team at your child's school. She provides ongoing support to students and is available for assistance when there is a crisis.

 

Q. What are school social work services?

A. School social work services strive to enhance the school's mission by providing services which strengthen home, school, and community partnerships. The School Social Worker actively addresses barriers that interfere with student achievement by bringing people together while creating an environment that is conducive to effective problem solving and learning. The goal of the School Social Worker is to provide every student with the opportunity to develop to his or her maximum potential.

 

Q. What are the services performed by the School Social Worker?

A. Services include the following:

 

• Makes home visits and provides outreach services to students, parents, and families.

• Serves as the liaison between the school, family, and community agencies.

• Consults with the classroom teacher, administrators, and others to provide insights for students and understanding regarding a particular child's (or group of children's needs) behavior.

• Completes a comprehensive assessment of the child's social, emotional, and interpersonal relationships within the school, home and community.

• Serves on the Child Study Team at each school to assist students experiencing attendance, academic, social, emotional, and/or health problems.

• Participates in staffings with local school personnel, parents, and appropriate community agency staff to provide coordinated evaluation and planning.

• Advocates ensuring that the child and family's rights are observed.

• Provides and participates in training programs.

• Coordinates services with other agencies to develop a comprehensive service delivery system.

• Refers and helps families access community, medical, mental health, and social welfare services.

• Encourages an understanding of, and sensitivity to, multicultural values and traditions.

• Participates in professional social work organizations.

• Provides individual and small group educational counseling.

• Conducts classroom lessons.

 

Q. Which students might benefit from school social work services?

A. The School Social Worker assists students who have social, emotional, and/or physical challenges which may interfere with their success in school. Some examples include:

 

• Self-esteem issues

• School phobia/anxiety/refusal

• Divorce or separation

• New baby/sibling

• Illness-self or family member

• Death in the family (including pets)

• Friendship difficulties

• New student adjustment

• Anger/impulsiveness

• Violence or abuse

• Harassment or bullying

• Peer mediation

• Substance Abuse

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Suicidal verbalization

• Irregular attendance

 

Q. How does a child see the School Social Worker?

A. Teacher referral, parent referral, student self-referral, child study team, IEP referral, 504 referral, or principal referral.

 

Q. How can a School Social Worker help my child while in school?

A. A School Social Worker can help aid a child in building positive self-concepts, develop healthy relationships, respect and appreciate others, understand and express feelings, resolve conflicts and set goals, make healthy choices, build positive school habits, cope with difficult changes, work in groups, develop problem solving skills, learn to work and play with others.

 

                                                              School social workers are not......

                                                                          A Disciplinarian

                                                                          An Administrator

                                                                          A Psychologist

                                                                          A Psychiatrist

 

Confidentiality

 

All information shared with the School Social Worker is confidential unless:

                                                  

                                                   1. Someone is planning to harm him/herself or others.

                                                   2. Someone is the victim of abuse or neglect.

 

In these situations, we are required by law to report this information to parents and/or the appropriate agencies.