Social Worker, Child Development​/Support

Starting Date: Immediately

Primary

Purpose:

The school social worker provides unique services to children, youth, and their families to help the student attain maximum benefits from their school programs. School social workers have knowledge and a concern for the wide range of social, emotional, cultural, and economic differences among children, families, and communities. The Social Worker will assist the school principals and counselors but will report to the Director of the Whole Child Department.

Education/Certification

Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred, must maintain current licensure status

Special Knowledge/

Skills:

• Must be familiar with the community and support agencies
• Must be adaptable to meet the needs of the families in the program in addition to working flexible hours to accommodate work in the evening
• Preferred - ability to communicate in native language(s) of program recipients
• Experience working with families that have diverse cultures and economic backgrounds
• General knowledge of Academics, Behavior, and Attendance Supports
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, able to work in collaborative team based environments
• Experience working in an educational, social service, or family support service setting
• Experience with child development
• Knowledge of individual and group counseling skills
• Knowledge and skill in casework management, investigation and intervention theories and practices
• Excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills, interviewing and analytical skills and interpersonal skills
• Strong consultation skills for conferencing with teachers, parents, and students
• Knowledge of social work theories, practices and procedures
• Knowledge and understanding of all pertinent legislation and policies
• Knowledge in the areas of needs and risk assessment, crisis support, family dynamics, the impact of trauma, psycho-social functioning theories and practices and child protection theories, models and practices
• Flexible, adaptable and able to work effectively in a variety of settings and in a cross-cultural situation

Experience:

Must have 3-5 years experience working with youth, families, schools, and/or community outreach and at risk youth

Major

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Provide case management services to elementary – high school students who have been identified as having chronic school absences, behavior problems, or other barriers to learning
• Assess family needs and make home visits
• Establish and follow through with resource referrals
• Attend scheduled ARD and other academic meetings that assist with advocating for scholars well-being
• Continue on-going case management documentation
• Provide crisis intervention, individual and group counseling as well as parenting groups as seen necessary
• Support Student Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams
• Notify appropriate agencies when abuse or neglect is suspected
• Refer school staff and parents to resources in the community
• Consult with administrative and instructional staff as well as mental health partners
• Support campus goals of prevention to maintain a healthy and safe school environment
• Consult parents regarding their children’s academic performance, behavior, and needs
• Plan, evaluate, and research interventions related to preventive and developmental student services
• Collaborate with Truancy team for cases of unexcused and excessive absences and tardies and enforce provisions of compulsory attendance laws according to Texas Education Code §25.091
• Conference regularly with teachers, counselors, principals, and other staff to identify problems of tardiness, attendance, and student truancy; work closely with counselors, teachers, and other staff to identify and counsel students at risk of dropping out, as well as their parents; confer with students in matters of attendance and tardiness and make a reasonable effort to gain their cooperation to improve attendance;
  
  conduct home visits and parent conferences on student truancy and attendance problems; maintain contact and act as liaison to local law enforcement agencies and courts in the area of student truancy
• Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records,…