School social workers are liaisons between the home, school, and community. Newark City Schools are fortunate to have the services of four
grant-funded school social workers servicing six of our elementary schools. Their responsibilities include some of the following:
- Assessments
- Short-term counseling
- Conflict mediation
- Attendance monitoring
- Community referral and liaison work
- Crisis intervention
School social workers become an important part of the child’s support system in school, often consulting with teachers and families to optimize the child’s school experiences and learning. They may also provide some small group interventions that focus on the handling of divorce, grief/loss or teaching positive social skills. In order for a school social worker to meet with your child on a regular basis, parent permission must be granted. Permission forms are available at your child’s school
.School Social Workers help STUDENTS:
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Achieve maximum benefit from their educational opportunities
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Understand themselves and others
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Improve interpersonal relationships
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Cope with stress
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Develop decision making skills
School Social Workers help PARENTS:
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Participate effectively in their children's education and meet their children's social and emotional needs
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Understand programs available to students with special needs
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Utilize school and community resources effectively
School Social Workers help SCHOOLS:
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Understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) that affect students' abilities to make maximum use of their school experience
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Utilize their resources in meeting the educational, social, and emotional needs of students
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Promote a safe school environment
School Social Workers help COMMUNITIES:
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Understand school policies, programs and practices
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Develop resources to adequately meet the needs of students and families