KIPP Durham Middle School Social Worker; LCSWA

Organizational Overview

Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) North Carolina, is a network of eight tuition‑free, college‑preparatory public charter schools educating approximately 3,000 students in grades K‑12 in Durham, Halifax, Northampton and Mecklenburg counties. At KIPP NC, we are committed to improving the life outcomes of North Carolina’s children through the delivery of research‑based, rigorous curricula, and clearing the paths that our students choose to follow by ensuring that they have the roadmaps and guideposts they need to arrive at success – however they define it.

At KIPP, we see the gifts in everyone who walks through the doors of our schools. Especially our teachers and social workers. Their skill. Energy. Love. Their determination. On the good days and on the hard days. So we support our teachers and social workers to make the most of those gifts. It starts with respect – for our teachers’ and social workers’ innate talents and desire to learn, for their professional growth and the lives they lead beyond our walls.

We offer pay and benefits that reflect our appreciation for the invaluable role our teachers and social workers play in lighting paths to opportunity for our students. And as our teachers progress through the day, the year and their careers, we ensure they always feel the KIPP Team and Family at their backs, with opportunities to lead, and support to grow.

Social Workers at KIPP North Carolina provide crucial support and services to students. In this role, social workers will work directly with students, teachers, community partners and families to provide individual and group counseling, as well as link families to long‑term solutions and external support organizations. Social Workers report to their school Principals and are coached by the Director of School Social Work on the Regional Support Team.

Responsibilities of a School Social Worker include, but are not limited to:

• Facilitate individual sessions using evidence‑based, student centered interventions to guide conversations and achieve student’s goals.
• Facilitate group sessions using evidence‑based, student centered interventions as a model to guide conversations and influence social emotional skills/ behaviors.
• Facilitate classroom lessons modeling evidence‑based, student centered interventions for students and teachers.
• Build peer connections by using evidence‑based, student centered interventions during restorative practices (such as circle, peer conflict resolution) and lunch bunch.
• Participate in continuous training to develop and build their evidence‑based and student centered toolbox.
• Respond to acute mental health crises and provide appropriate intervention services to students and families.
• Develop and manage 504 plans, monitor progress, and provide support and consultation to general and special education teachers to promote implementation. Provide support in the development of student behavior plans.
• Conduct student and classroom observations to monitor individual student progress.
• Provide on‑going consultation to teachers, parents, and other school personnel to support students’ learning, behavioral challenges, and mental health needs.
• Conduct risk assessments when students present with safety concerns.
• Act as a team member who supports mental and behavioral health programming at the Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 levels of the Multi‑Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
• Facilitate Professional Development for staff to spread awareness on social worker’s role in the school.
• Initiate monthly initiatives at the school and spread awareness to all students and staff.

• Serve as 504 case manager for students with a 504 plan.
• Ensure that students’ 504 plans are complete, compliant and updated at least annually.
• Share students’ 504 plans, especially accommodations and services, with students’ teachers and school leadership teams.
• Ensure that students with 504 plans receive accommodations on all formal tests.
• Prepare and lead annual review 504 meetings at least once per year for each student, and reevaluation 504 meetings at least once…