Choosing School Social Work

Waggoner Road Middle School

Social Work at WRMS

1. Addressing Non-Academic Barriers to Learning

2. Recognizing the Person in the Environment

3. Family Involvement = Family Inclusion

4. Expanding Capacity

Addressing the Barriers

• School Social Workers are trained to identify, assess and address the factors in students’ lives that inhibit their academic success.

• Homelessness

• Parent Drug/Alcohol Use

• Abuse/Neglect

• Mental Health Barriers

• Neighborhood Violence

• Hunger/Poor Nutrition

• Trauma

Recognizing the Environment

• Each student comes to school from a different environment at home. School Social Workers recognize this and work with the child, their family and the school to foster support for academic progress that fits the needs of the student.

• Blended Families

• Non-English Speaking

• Limited Transportation

• Parents’ Employment Situation

• Socio-Economic Status

Family Involvement = Family Inclusion

• School Social Workers empower families to be strong supports for their children’s academic success.

• Home Visits

• Family Night Coordination

• Scanning and Emailing Behavior Improvement Plans

• Family Conferences

• Resource Linking

• SchoolHome Communication Assistance

Expanding Capacity

• School Social Workers provide professional development and help other staff grow their own professional capacity in the building.

• Trainings

• Behavioral Management

• Family/Parent Communication Assistance

• Classroom Interventions

• PBIS Coordination

• Emergency Resource Supply Acquisition