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About School Social Workers
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School Social Workers (SSWs) are liaisons between the home, school, and community. They work to promote students’ access to educational services and academic success. SSWs provide direct services to students both individually and in groups. Additionally, they advocate for and with parents to increase involvement and improve their understanding of their child’s education. Our school social workers collaborate with professionals in the educational system and community to develop and implement effective programming to meet the academic, behavioral, and social needs of students.
Upon referral, our SSWs work diligently to provide students and families with access to basic needs such as clothing, food, financial assistance, mental health services, and medical services. Much of the work they do is behind the scenes or confidential in nature and is always approached with the intent of recognizing the strengths and potential of the children and families served.
Services Provided
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Division Support
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School Social Workers can support the school division through:
- Assist in developing and implementing educational programs for children for exceptional children.
- Developing alternative programs for students with attendance concerns or involvement with the law.
- Identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.
- Providing consultation regarding school law and school policy including IDEA and Section 504.
- Providing case management for students and families requiring multiple resources.
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School-Community Liaisons
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School Social Workers are school-community liaisons:
- Obtaining and coordinating community resources to meet students' needs.
- Helping school districts receive adequate support from social and mental health agencies.
- Advocating for new and improved community/school services to meet the needs of students and families.
- Helping the system respond effectively to each child's needs.
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School Personnel Support
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School Social Workers provide support to school personnel by:
- Providing staff with essential information to better understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting a student’s performance and behavior.
- Assessing students with mental health concerns.
- Developing staff in-service training programs.
- Assisting teachers with behavior management.
- Providing direct support to staff.
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Family Support
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School Social Workers provide services to families by:
- Working with parents to facilitate their support in their children's school adjustment.
- Alleviating family stress enables the child to function more effectively in school & the community.
- Assisting parents to access programs available to students with special needs.
- Assisting parents in accessing and utilizing school and community resources.
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Related Services
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School Social Workers provide related services by:
- Participating in special education assessment meetings as well as individual Educational Planning Meetings
- Working with those problems in a child's living situation that affect the child’s adjustment in school. (home, school, and community)
- Preparing a social or developmental history on a child with a disability.
- Counseling (group, individual and/or family)
- Mobilizing family, school, and community resources to enable the child to learn as effectively as possible in his or her educational program
- Assisting in developing positive behavioral intervention strategies.
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Student Services
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School Social Workers provide services to students through:
- Providing crisis intervention.
- Developing intervention strategies to increase academic success.
- Assisting with conflict resolution and anger management.
- Helping the child develop appropriate social interaction skills.
- Assisting the child in understanding and accepting self and others.