Teacher, Social Worker Spec Asgn-SWOSA; Indian Education

Teacher, Social Worker Spec Asgn-SWOSA )

This position is within the American Indian Education Department that is focused on supporting American Indian students and families in all of our schools across the district. Under general supervision of the Director and manager of District Social Work Services, promote and support students' academic and social success and social engagement by providing a vital link among the department, school, home and larger community.

Uphold ethical standards of social work practice and advocate for student, family and staff well-being. Serve as an advocate for American Indian students and families and promotes anti-bias and anti-racist practices and curriculum.

Social Workers on Special Assignment (SWOSA) are involved in supporting and partnering with school social workers to provide services to students and their families, including some direct services to students and their families such as individual service, group work and classroom presentations as well as providing crisis intervention and consultation and making referrals and connections to community agencies and resources. They are a part of supporting the evaluation process for American Indian students with potential disabilities as well as often providing direct and indirect services.

Enthusiastically promotes the Superintendent's goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supports school site Special Education (Sp Ed) team;
  These roles may include serving as resource support for parents/guardians, advocacy, collaborations with Sp Ed colleagues regarding due process, and leading Sp Ed team meetings.
• Supports the completion of Home and Family interview and required documentation as part of the Sp Ed evaluation/reevaluation process.
• Provides direct and indirect culturally responsive social emotional learning (SEL) and mental health instruction, interventions and/or supports.
• Consults with staff and caregivers regarding support and interventions for students.
• Intervenes/supports in student alcohol/drug issues.
• Supports students in crisis. This may include deescalation, resource connections, risk assessment, brief counseling and/or psychoeducation.
• Collaborates with community, itinerant and site/school based mental health providers; serve as point of contact for school based therapists.
• Connects students and families with resources for basic needs and well-being.
• Communicates and collaborates with outside social service providers, following data privacy guidelines.
• Serve as a resource to school social workers and staff regarding identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect; consult with General Counsel staff as needed.
• Collaborates with Homeless and Highly Mobile Students program staff and school social worker to advocate and implement the McKinney Vento requirements; provides support to homeless and highly mobile students; trains staff on the McKinney Vento law;
  Implements and/or supports school engagement and attendance interventions; participates on school attendance teams upon requests.
• Provide guidance and help implement federal, state, county and district laws, regulations and relevant policies, as it impacts students and families.
• Supports/participates site School Support Teams/MTSS/data teams upon request; reviews referral data; assists staff with SEL interventions.
• Support the implementation of federal Section 504 statute and MPS 504 procedures with fidelity. Specific role designated by Director. Attend required professional development sessions and read 504 Updates.
• Consult with staff who make disciplinary decisions for students with disabilities and general education students May be asked/seen in a leadership role for various committees/teams in the district and school community; any leadership roles should be collaboratively discussed and agreed upon.
• Maintains confidentiality of work-related issues, student records. Document work following district guidelines, state law and federal regulations regarding record maintenance.
• Works in collaboration with the school site social worker/s to contact and engage with families of American Indian students in relation to information regarding resources and rights; responds to caregiver questions and concerns.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree (MSW preferred) in Social Work and currently licensed in Minnesota to practice as a social worker under the Board of Social Work; AND two (2) years of professional social work experience with children, youth, and families plus supervised practicum experiences with children and youth; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

Final candidates may be invited to interview with a committee. Final appointment to this position will be contingent upon passing a criminal background check.