Welcome to
School Social Workers

School Social Workers (SSWs) are often referred to as the link between home, school and community.  As a member of the educational team, the social worker promotes and supports students’ academic and social success by providing specialized services which include social and behavioral assessments, counseling and crisis response.  Our social workers collaborate with professionals in the educational system and community to develop and implement effective programming to meet the academic, social and behavioral needs of students.

Upon referral our SSWs work diligently to provide students and families with access to basic needs such as clothing and food as well as financial assistance, mental health and medical services.  Social workers empower students and parents to take an active role in the educational process and the acquisition of community resources. Much of the work they do is behind the scenes and confidential in nature.  Our social workers approach all situations with the intent of recognizing and building upon the strengths and potential of the children and families served.

School Social Workers Help Students…

• Increase academic success
• Cope with crisis situations
• Resolve conflicts without violence
• Improve attendance
• Build self-discipline
• Develop healthy lifestyles
• Improve interpersonal relationships
• Remain in school and graduate

School Social Workers Help Families…

• Assist parents with age/developmentally appropriate strategies
• Identify and meet their children’s social and emotional needs
• Assess the need for and access community resources
• Participate fully in their children’s education

School Social Workers Help Educators…

• Understand the impact factors such as family, culture, socioeconomic status, physical and mental health can have on student performance
• Develop and implement plans to enhance student performance
• Coordinate services for individual families
• Identify and report child abuse and neglect
• Obtain community resources to meet student needs
• Design and implement behavior management plans

School Social Workers help the District…

• Mobilize school and community resources to optimize students’ potential to learn
• Provide individual and group counseling for students who have significant emotional concerns
• Conduct a variety of assessments to determine a student’s need for special education services
• Increase school attendance and academic success
• Respond to crisis situations