Social Services

Why do today's schools need School Social Workers?

Children today are increasingly victims of many social forces that negatively affect their role as students.

The family is in a state of change and until it becomes stabilized, in whatever form, children's unmet physical and emotional needs will continue to interfere with their ability to learn and adjust in school.

Who are School Social Workers?

Greensburg Salem's School Social Worker is a trained mental health professional with a Master’s degree in social work who provide services related to a person's social, emotional and life adjustment to school and/or society. School Social Workers are the link between the home, school and community in providing direct as well as indirect services to students, families, and school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social success.

What are some of the specific services that School Social Workers provide?

Related Services
- Working with those problems in a child's living situation that affect the child’s adjustment in school. (home, school, and community)
- Counseling (group and/or individual)
- Mobilizing family, school, and community resources to enable the child to learn as effectively as possible in his or her educational program.

Services to Students:
- Assisting with conflict resolution and anger management.
- Helping the child develop appropriate social interaction skills.
- Identifying positive decision making skills and coping skills.
- Helping the child with their transition into adulthood.
- Assisting the child in understanding and accepting self and others.
- Helping the student handle daily stresses and regulate emotions.

Services to Parents/Families
- Meeting with the family to assess problems affecting their child's education.
- Helping families identify stressors that are interfering with their child's school success.
- Assisting parents to access programs available to all students
- Assisting parents in accessing and utilizing school and community resources.

Services to School Personnel:
- Providing staff with essential information to better understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting a student’s performance and behavior.
- Assessing students with mental health concerns.
- Providing direct support to staff.