School Social Worker

Reports to: Principal (or Designee) and/or Supervisor, Office of School Social Work

Bargaining Unit: Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT)

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility: School-based. Not eligible for telecommuting.

In accordance with the Agreement between the Detroit Federation of Teachers and the Detroit Public Schools Community District, the following vacancy is announced.

The School Social Worker promotes and enhances the overall academic mission of Detroit Public Schools Community District by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning.

The School Social Worker significantly contributes to the development of a healthy, safe and caring environment by advancing the understanding of the emotional and social development of children and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences on student success and by implementing effective intervention strategies.

The School Social Worker must adhere to Federal and State statutes, professional development practices, School Social Work Standards and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

DPSCD will offer a $15,000 retention/recruitment certification bonus to existing and new School Social Workers placed in the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) department.

• Applicants must possess and provide evidence of a Master’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university.
• Valid State of Michigan Master’s Social Worker license, issued by the State of Michigan, Department of Licensing and Regulations, and Temporary as a School Social Worker issued by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services or a Plan of Work from an accredited college or university.
• Applicants not holding Full Approval must be eligible for Temporary or Continuing Temporary Approval.
• Minimum of two (2) years post Social Work Master’s degree experience, working as a Social Worker with school-aged children and families.

• Provide direct school social work services to referred students who have serious social and emotional problems that interfere with learning. Provide individual and group therapeutic counseling to students and their families.
• Identify and assess academic problems through analysis of factors impinging on student adjustment including factors in the home, school, and community.
• Determine and implement appropriate therapeutic strategies to effect changes in behavioral/social interactions of students and their families.
• Complete psychosocial assessments to assist in the determination of special education eligibility.
• Must have an understanding of the IEP Process and the ability to develop Individual Educational Plans, Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team Reports, Evaluation Review Reports, Functional Behavior Assessments, Behavior Intervention Plans, Manifestation Determination Reviews, 504’s and other special education reports pertaining to student needs and issues.
• Demonstrate general knowledge of disability areas in special education with specific knowledge in emotional impairment and autism.
• Coordinate and facilitate crisis intervention and trauma response services.
• Possess a general knowledge of the provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), McKinney-Vento Law and other state and federal mandates.
• Serve as a liaison between families and the school to positively promote collaborative processes in educational planning for students by encouraging parent/guardian participation in the school setting.
• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources to provide support and services to students and families.
• Serves as a member of the Resource Coordinating Team (the problem-solving vehicle for the school) and other school-based teams to develop interventions for promoting students’ academic success.
• Develop, coordinate and facilitate intervention and prevention groups for students and parents (i.e., grief, conflict resolution, divorce, etc.).
• Demonstrate skills in conducting effective meetings and conferences (including the resolution of disagreements).
• Maintain required…