What is a School Social Worker?
School
social workers are the link between home, school, and community. As
members of the educational team comprised of teachers, administrators,
pupil services staff, and parents, school social workers promote and
support students’ academic and social success. School social workers
have a Masters of Social Work degree and hold certification from the
Connecticut State Department of Education. They possess a high level of
expertise in family dynamics, child development, systems theory and
clinical knowledge.
What do School Social Workers do?
Their
main responsibilities are to provide assistance to students who are
having difficulties in school due to attendance, economic, medical,
emotional , and/or family issues.
School social workers help STUDENTS:
- Cope with stress and loss
- Understand themselves and others
- Improve interpersonal relationships
- Develop decision making skills
School social workers help PARENTS:
- Participate in their student’s education
- Understand & meet their child’s social & emotional needs
- Understand programs available to students with special needs
- Utilize school & community resources effectively
School social workers help SCHOOLS:
- Understand factors (i.e. cultural,
societal, economic, medical) that affect students’ abilities to be
success in their educational program
- Utilize their resources in meeting the educational, social, & emotional needs of students
- Promote a safe school environment
Bethel School Social Workers:
- Colby Holleran
STEP Program – Bethel High School
(203) 794-8600 ext. 1437, [email protected]
- Carolyn Keller
FLEX Program - Johnson School and Rockwell School
(203) 794-8688 [email protected]