louisiana school social work laura richard, lcsw, cssws
TRANSCRIPT
LOUIS
IANA S
CHOOL SOCIA
L
WORK
LAURA R
ICHARD, L
CSW, C
SSWS
OVERVIEW OF LOUISIANA PROJECTS
Comprehensive Learning Supports supporting education in all areas
Community partnerships to place a social worker in every school
Truancy work at the elementary level** TASC
DOE/LSU partnership** Defining and measuring school social work
LOUISIANA
• ___ school districts• public, RSD, charter
• ___ students
• 487 school social workers
• May 2010 Value added measure for teachers Race to the Top grant application
• June 2010• DOE/LSU partnership formed
FIRST STEPS
1. Survey conducted
1.Statewide—78% response 2.Demographics of social workers3.Practice parameters/roles identified4.Student information
FIRST STEPS
2. School Social Work Effectiveness Evaluation Tool (SWEET) developed
Database format Gathers information in 4 main areas of practice:
Supervision Macro-practice Evaluation/coodination Micro-practice
FIRST STEPS
2. School Social Work Effectiveness Evaluation Tool (SWEET) developed
• Links social work services to ABCs• Attendance • Behavior • Curriculum
FIRST STEPS
3. Focus groups conducted
Continued ownership of project by LA school social workers
Practitioner suggestions incorporated into tool
NEXT STEPS
Further development of database tool
Pilot of SWEET
Inclusion of other forms of evaluation
TASC:
TRUANCY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICE CENTERS
LSU SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK/ OFFICE OF SOCIAL SERVICE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, 2ND NATIONAL RESEARCH TO PRACTICE SUMMIT: THE CHANGING ROLES OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE JUNE 27, 2011
JUDITH RHODES, PHD
State of Louisiana Truancy Intervention Initiative:
Intensive Case Management Program for Elementary School Children and Their Families
© LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development 9
An early warning sign for potential problems:
Delinquent activity Suspension and expulsion Substance abuse Teen pregnancy School Disengagement Low self-esteem Social isolation School dropout
Why Truancy?
©2008, LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development 10
An early warning sign for potential problems:
Delinquent activity Suspension and expulsion Substance abuse Teen pregnancy School Disengagement Low self-esteem Social isolation School dropout
Why Truancy?
©2008, LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development 11
Critical Components of Truancy Programs
1. Family Involvement
2. Comprehensive Approach
3. Incentives and Sanctions
4. Supportive Context
5. Program Evaluation
6. Collaboration
7. Best Practices Improve Truancy ProgrammingTruancy Toolkit: ojjdp.ncjrs.org.
©2008, LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development 12
What is TASC?• TASC provides early identification, assessment, and
services to truant children in K through 5th grade
• TASC is research-based, outcome-oriented, data-driven
• TASC operate through local advisory boards
• TASC hold parents accountable through the FINS process
• TASC receive a combination of state and federal funds
• The TASC evaluation is legislatively mandated
• TASC began with 2 pilot projects in 1999 and now has 13 sites in 20 parishes
©2011, LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development 13
Bossier
Webster
Union
Lincoln
Jackson
Beauregard
CalcasieuJefferson Davis
Vermilion
Acadia St. Martin
St. Mary
Iberia
St. Helena
Tangipahoa
Washington
St. TammanyEBR*Livingston
Jefferson*
TASC 2010-1113 programs in 20 parishes
*Elementary and Pilot Middle Program: EBR, Jefferson
© LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development 14
The TASC Process
A school submits a
truancy referral along with a
behavior checklist to the
TASC office after the 5th unexcused absence
If a child is determined to be
low-risk for continued truancy, a letter is sent home to inform the guardian of attendance laws,
and the child is monitored for any more unexcused
absences.
If a child is determined to be at-risk, then a
conference is scheduled with the child and the family. TASC assesses the strengths and needs
of the family and educates, informs and motivates parents to
comply with attendance laws.
TASC and the family decide on a tailored “service plan”
aimed at improving the child’s school participation.
TASC
School
Truancy
Upon receiving the referral a
TASC caseworker
reviews all the information on
the child to determine
whether the child is “low” or “at”
risk for continued truancy. TASC works with the
child and family to ensure they are
getting the help they need to improve the
child’s school participation. TASC continues to monitor
attendance and grades throughout the school year.
1 2
3
4 5 6High-Risk Children
Low-Risk Children
TASC Functions
Tools
Low Risk High Risk Very High RiskScreen &
MonitorAssess, Plan
Motivate & MonitorEvaluate, InterveneRe-assess & monitor
Low Risk
Informal Family
Conference
Monitor
Formal FINSPetition
Noncompliant
Screen
Compliant
Assessment Process
Brief Structured Services
Clinical psychiatric and psychological instruments and Interventions
ToolsInterviews, ConferenceAcademic record reviews
Risk I & II
IFSPAMonitoring protocols
At-Risk Population
Tools
TASC Referral Form
School records
Monitoring protocols
Formal FINS Hearing
Reassess & Adapt
Intervention
Intensive Intervention
Mandatory Conference
Evaluate
Monitor
Compliant
SuccessfulCompletion
Compliant
Risk IMonitoring protocols
© 2006, Office of Social Service Research & Development, LSU 7
Monitor
Successful Completion
Successful Completion
TASC Publications
© LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development 17
Thomas, J. M., Lemieux, C. M., Rhodes, J. L. F., Vlosky, D. A. (2011, In Press). Early truancy intervention: Results of an evaluation using a regression discontinuity design.
Children and Youth Services Review.
Rhodes, J.L.F., Thomas, J.M., Lemieux, C. M., Cain, D., & Guin, C. C. (2010) Truancy Assessment and Service Centers
(TASC): Engaging Elementary school children and their families. School Social Work Journal, 35(1), 83-100.
Contact info
Judith Rhodes, PhDAssistant Professor of Research, Director of TASC Research
225-578-4948 LSU School of Social Work/OSSRD
Truancy Assessment
& Service Centers (TASC)
311 Huey P Long Field House
Baton Rouge, LA 70803