• A School Social Worker

     
    WHO IS A SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER?
     
    * A NYS certified or licensed, specially educated and caring professional.
     
    * A person who helps teachers, parents, administrators and students.
     
    * Student advocate.
     
    * Liason between home and school.
     
     
    WHAT DOES A SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER DO?
     
    * Provide mandated IEP/504 counseling to students and attends CSE meetings.
     
    * Provide individual and group counseling to students with more in-depth mental health needs while the family gets linked with outside therapy.
     
    * Promote positive attitudes and values among students.
     
    * Work with families to facilitate understanding and promote constructive participation in resolving difficulties their child may be experiencing.
     
    * Serve as a bridge between home, school and community resources by helping parents identify and obtain community supports and resources (counseling, food, clothing, shelter etc)
     
    * Advocate on behalf of the student and their needs.
     
    * Provide crisis counseling for emotional and behavioral needs.
     
    HOW DOES A STUDENT SEE A SOCIAL WORKER?
     
    * CSE referral/mandate
     
    * Parent referral
     
    * Administrative referral
     
    * SST referral
     
    * School Counselor referral
     
    While a school social worker is able to provide counseling for more in-depth/long-term mental health needs, it is only intended to be a temporary support while being linked with an outside counseling agency.  
     
     
    WHO SEEKS HELP FROM THE SOCIAL WORKER?
    Students...
    * I don't seem to be getting along with my parents.
     
    * I've been having thoughts about harming myself and I need some help.
     
    * My parents aren't together anymore and it upsets me.
     
    Parents...
    * We don't seem to be able to communicate with Suzie.
     
    * Our son never seems to listen and we need some ideas on how to get through to him.
     
    * Toni's grandfather passed away and she needs someone to talk to.