What does a school social worker do?

My Role Direct individual, family and group counseling. Develop, promote & deliver preventive services in collaboration with other professionals (ex. Classroom presentations). To help students, parents, and teachers deal with students emotional needs which affect performance.

My Model of Practice My model of practice is strengths based, as such, when I speak with you about students be mindful of what the student is already doing well.  This is not to say that I wont explore the students weaknesses, however, I need a place to start!

Process How to get the student to me Referrals – You can come see me, I will talk with you and we will go over the referral and a plan. – You can fill out a referral form and give it to me. – I will visit classrooms and let students know what I do. Please fill out the schedule.  Please do not talk negatively about a student in front of them- especially to me, it really hinders the relationship building process.

Confidentiality and Ethics NLSD’s policy on privacy and ethical guidelines come second to social work ethics in this role. – I am bound by an outside body of regulations, therefore, it is my duty to be aware of my ethics and to follow them. – Why should you know this? I am not being offensive when I tell you that I wont share information with you. I can be general, to give you a sense progress but not too much.

Groups Boys Leadership/Mentorship (violence prevention) – Purpose: engage disengaged boys. – Action: taking boys out on retreats to engage in activities that will focus on self worth. – Outcomes: communication skills, better self regulation in class & raised self-esteem. – Who joins? They have been hand picked. – When? 1 st meeting Friday Oct 11 at 1:00 pm Day retreat hopefully October 25th

Groups con’t Relationships 911 (pregnancy prevention and prevention of a second child) – Purpose: to build self esteem, communication skills, healthy boundaries & explore sexuality. – Action: hold weekly groups to discuss topics that are of interest to the group. – Outcomes: raised sense of self, awareness of – Who joins? Grade nines and up, boys and girls. – When? Wednesday's at 11:00 – 12:00

Groups con’t Peer Support (Engagement = prevention) Purpose: promoting youth positive environment, community service, healthy risks, and self- growth. Action: weekly meetings to address key issues the affect youth in the community. Outcomes: facilitation skills and leadership skills, empowerment, raised sense of accomplishment. Who joins? Youth who want to make a difference for their peers. When? Monday’s at 11:00-12:00