As interdisciplinary team members, the role of the school social worker is…

To help students:

• Improve their academic success

• Overcome obstacles to learning

• Develop positive character qualities: social skills, peer relations and values

• Cope in times of stress: academic, grief/loss, substance abuse, personal crisis, violence

Assist school staff to:

• Help students achieve academic success

• Understand how family, cultural and community factors affect students

• Provide prevention programs: violence, substance abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse and neglect

• Manage crisis situations

• Coordinate attendance efforts

• Identify, intervene with and/or refer students with mental health needs

Support families to:

• Participate in their children’s education

• Build bridges of understanding with their children’s schools

• Access classes and workshops on supporting students

Empower communities to:

• Identify the needs of students and families

• Develop community programs and services to address those needs

• Collaborate with schools in support of student success