What do School Social Workers do?
Help Students...
- overcome barriers to school attendance and achievement
- improve relationships with others
- cope with stress
- develop decision-making skills
- build confidence and competence
- increase academic progress
Help Parents...
- convey their concerns to school personnel
- participate more fully in their children’s education
- understand and meet their children’s social and emotional needs
- link with programs and community resources such as food service banks and counseling services
Help Schools...
- understand factors (cultural, familial, economic) that affect student performance
- assess student needs and design strategies to enhance student school success
- contribute to staff development
- develop and implement plans and programs to meet needs of staff, students and families
- identify and report child abuse and neglect situations
Help Communities...
- understand school policies, programs, practices
- minimize those environmental factors that inhibit learning
- develop resources that adequately meet the needs of students and families
- recognize and mobilize their resources and collaborate with schools