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.