School Social Work Department

From the Desk of the School Social Worker

The school social worker serves as a link between the school, home, and community by coordinating services and developing strategies and interventions to improve students' academic, social, and behavioral performance. Our training allows us to focus on students experiencing difficulties that interfere with their ability to attend school regularly, behave appropriately, or achieve academically.

As a member of the educational team, School Social Workers promote and support students' academic and social/emotional well-being through:

	early identification of the problem
	intervention and prevention strategies
	consultation
	program development
	coordiation of school and community services/resources
	crisis counseling
By interpreting the influences of school, home, and community on children and youth, the school social worker assists students in reaching their fullest academic potential. The school social work services that increase students' academic and behavioral performance are:
	identification, development and coordination of resources with the community:
	health (prescriptions, eye / ear / dental / medical)
	counseling (individual, group, family)
	economic (glasses, clothing, agencies for assistance with utilities)
	community support services (i.e., juvenile justice services, Department of Family and Children's Services, etc.)
	support services for students, parents/families and schools:
	provision of strategies and information to assist parents, students, and schools with identified problems
	work with interdisciplinary team members (i.e., couselors, school psychologists, special education, etc.) to provide interventions for students at risk
	conduct workshops, trainings, and in-services to schools, parents and communities on identified needs
	community outreach
Each school social worker is assigned to several schools and is housed in offices within the school building.  Should you need school social work services, do not hesitate to contact your child's school or the social worker identified on the "Contacts" page of our website.  The School Social Work Department