School social workers seek to ensure equitable education opportunities; ensure that students are mentally, physically, and emotionally present in the classroom; and promote respect and dignity for all students

National Association of Social Workers

Roles and support in school:

Social workers provide support to students and classrooms, including individual counseling, group counseling, push-in support, social/emotional skill education and crisis intervention.

• Complete social histories for school assessments.
• Attend and participate in Committee on Special Education meetings as required.
• Link students and families to community resources including financial, food, clothing, housing, furniture, health insurance, medical and dental care, mental health or chemical dependency treatment, and FACT/PINS.
• Engage students, staff and families in crisis intervention services with follow up resources.
• Communicate daily with building staff to assess student needs and select appropriate interventions.
• Collaborate with community and district medical staff and engage in psychiatric consultation services.  
• Facilitate individual, group, and crisis counseling.
• Consult with district staff to integrate student based behavior management support to improve students’ overall functioning and academic success.

Services connecting students, families and the community:

Social workers provide holiday assistance to numerous families, coordinating with other school staff and community organizations.

• Act as school district representatives for local service organizations.
• Network with local community agencies including churches, service clubs and community volunteer organizations to assist families in need.
• Assist school districts throughout Monroe County with trauma and grief intervention through utilizing professional resources from the Monroe County Trauma, Illness and Grief (TIG) Network.
• Coordination of special opportunities for students such as summer camp referrals to Tim Horton’s Camp, Salvation Army Camp, Kiwanis Camp, etc.