Series 6000: Instruction

6164.6 Social Work Services 

School social work services enhance the link between the home, school and community. School  social work services are designed to help students work toward maximizing their social,  emotional and educational development. Student referral may be initiated when there are  concerns that the student's social, emotional, behavioral or developmental functioning is  interfering or has the potential to interfere with academic achievement. Any student may be  referred by staff, parents, the IEP Team, other students or by themselves. Parents will be notified  when concerns regarding their child result in referral for school social work services. Services on  behalf of students focus on individual and group counseling; the connection of families with  community resources and facilitation of the development and implementation of positive  behavioral support plans. 

The school social worker's contribution as a member of the school's interdisciplinary team  includes: providing developmental histories; participating in the development of functional  behavioral assessments; consulting and collaborating with families over school issues;  conducting class meetings, thematic groups and parent educational groups; educating staff on the  impact of family dynamics on child development and student functioning; monitoring student  attendance; participating in the kindergarten transition and screening process; and acting as a link  between community resources, families and schools. In addition, the social workers participate in  crisis intervention teams on the building and system wide levels; help mobilize community  resources around specific needs; organize information for community referral; serve as mandated  reporters for children at risk for abuse and neglect; provide community education on children's  mental health issues and are actively involved in community and system wide committees and  programs. In collaboration with the school mental health team, the school social worker offers  family outreach through home visits; develops and monitors 504 plans, which prohibit  discrimination and may provide accommodations to qualifying students; assesses student drug  involvement and need for referral; assists with peer mediation and determines the seriousness of  student depression, suicidal ideation and other critical concerns. 

Those students found eligible for special education will have an IEP developed to address the  areas of deficit. Service delivery may include individual and/or group counseling. Service may  also include consultation with families and teachers. Progress on goals and objectives will be  evaluated and reported to parents each marking period. 

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes 

10-76a(9) "Related Services" 

Individual with Disabilities Education Act 20 U.S.C. § 1400-1487   Section 504 Regulations 

Sec 104.37(b) Counseling Services 

Policy adopted: November 19, 2007 THOMASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS  Thomaston, Connecticut