School Social Work
School social workers are professionals who meet the state requirements to practice social work in the school setting. They help students address barriers to learning through an ecological perspective that the student is viewed within the context of the classroom, the family, the community and culture. School social workers are prepared to understand and assess the functioning of an individual student in the context of multiple environments. They provide services to all students related to the student’s social and emotional adjustment to school, family, community and society. School social workers are the link between the home, school and community. They provide direct and indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students’ academic and social success. School social workers are prepared to provide a breadth of services as members of multidisciplinary school teams. These services include, but are not limited to:
- Assessment and screening
- Counseling and support groups
- Crisis intervention
- Collaboration between home and school
- Advocacy
- Services to families
- Services to school staff
- Coordination of community agency services
- Classroom observations of students and teacher support