School Social Workers provide a range of services, including:

• Participation in special education and 504 evaluation teams, including preparing sociocultural assessments, and developmental histories for a child with a disability and delivering counseling as a related service identified in Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).

•  Crisis interventions, including suicide screening and interventions, abuse and neglect reporting, and  screening and interventions.

• Individual and group counseling to help children develop appropriate social emotional skills, understand and accept self and others, learn conflict resolution and anger management skills, coping with stressors, and address mental health or behavioral issues.

• Provide intervention, consultation, and counseling for students who are experiencing significant difficulties that adversely impact educational experiences.

• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings (e.g. Child Study) to assist in the development of Tier 1, 2, and 3 interventions to address concerns that impact students’ academic and/or behavioral performance.

• Advocate for equitable student access to school- and community-based services and instructions to address: mental health issues, chronic absenteeism, alternative education options,  etc.

• Facilitate school-based services and instructions through activities such as parent conferences and home visits.

• Provide family education, counseling, and support in areas such as child development, child mental and behavioral health, and special education processes.

• Provide advocacy and linkage to community-based services and resources to meet basic needs, meet medical or mental health needs, or access programs for children with special needs.

• Coordinate and manage multi-agency services such as Children’s Services Act (CSA) meetings, Best Interest Determination Meetings, or treatment team meetings with Department of Social Services or mental health providers.Work collaboratively to mobilize the resources of the school and community to meet the educational needs of students and families as well as to facilitate access to mental health services.

• Interview parents and conduct appropriate assessments to assist in the process of eligibility determination for possible special education services.

• Provide support and advocacy to parents to ensure positive engagement with school and their community through direct intervention (e.g. parenting skill sessions), consultation, and connection to community resources. 

• Work collaboratively with all professionals within the school to provide crisis intervention, violence prevention, and suicide prevention services.

• Support: Helping schools implement mental health and social-emotional learning programs.

• Participate in division and school-based Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS) teams to address school-related concerns such as mental and behavioral health and attendance, including assisting with functional behavior assessments (FBA) for students.

• Provide consultation and support to school personnel, including developing and delivering professional development for school personnel on topics such as child abuse and neglect, children’s mental and behavioral health, trauma-informed practices, etc.

• Assist in development of programs, resources, and policies to support specific populations such as English Language Learners, LGBTQ students, homeless or unaccompanied youth, pregnant and teen parents, and students in foster care.

• Assist in the development of programs, resources, and policies to support initiatives relating to safe and supportive school climates, harassment and bullying prevention, positive and preventative student conduct, human trafficking, etc.