Who are mandated reporters at HPM?
We are ALL mandated reporters. New York State requires that all employees are mandated reporters. We have a legal requirement to report suspected and disclosed abuse and neglect.
Name two ways school social workers help scholars achieve the mission of HPM?
School social workers pick up where teachers leave off. They are perhaps the professionals best equipped to address the social and psychological issues that block academic progress. Through counseling, crisis management and prevention programs, they help young people overcome the difficulties in their lives, and as a result give them a better chance at succeeding in school.
Scholars who have counseling listed on their IEP’s. During the IEP meeting it is determined that a scholar could benefit from working on various emotional issues. These scholars are seen weekly for 30-40 minutes in either group or individual sessions.
Mandated Scholars
Name 3 internal and external factors that may affect scholars ability to learn when walking into a classroom?
Name three things that are immediate safety concerns for the social workers in the building.
Immediate Safety Concerns:
*Suicidal statements &/or gestures
*Homicidal statements &/or gestures
* Self-injury (cutting, burning, scratching)
*Suspicion &/or disclosure of corporal punishment (bruises/marks)
*Suspicion &/or disclosure of sexual abuse
*Domestic Violence/Order of protection
*Running away
True or False social workers are the only ones who will be calling ACS (Administration for Children Services), in cases of abuse.
False. There may be times when you are asked to make a phone call to ACS. Social Workers will be able to assist you with this.
What does NASW stand for?
National Association of Social Workers.
Social Workers adhere to a professional code of ethics that are extremely important to the work that we do everyday.
Scholars that are flagged by the leadership team as scholars in need of consistent check-ins. These scholars typically struggle with rules, have attendance issues or are dealing with something at home that could potentially affect them academically.
At Risk Scholars
What is the best way to refer a scholar to the social worker
What is the Social work referral form
Who assists scholars in crisis besides social workers?
Dream Coaches
Safety Officers
Police (in some instances)
Parents
Teachers
What evidence do you need to make a report of suspected child abuse or maltreatment?
Reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or maltreatment means that, based on your rational observations, professional training and experience, you have a suspicion that the parent or other person legally responsible for a child is responsible for harming that child or placing that child in imminent danger of harm
Reasonable cause ≠ 100% certainty
Reasonable cause ≠ You must investigate thoroughly
Reasonable cause ≠ Report with reckless abandon
Service
True or false: These are the NASW Code of ethics: SW values
Social Justice
Dignity And Worth Of The Person
Importance Of Human Relationships
Integrity
Competence
True
Scholars that are in need of emergency counseling services due to an emotional situation or event. This could be self referral or teacher referral.
Crisis scholars
A parent arrives for parent/teacher conference. When they arrive to meet with you you smell alcohol on their breath. The Parent has two small children with them including the scholar that attends HPM. It is evident that they are under the influence but they are able to have a conversation with you regarding their scholar's progress without any issues. Is this a reason to contact ACS and report this incident?
No.
Name something that requires assistance from a social worker BUT does not rise to the level of a crisis?
Suspicion of neglect (poor hygiene/lack of medical attention, always sleeping in class)
Substance abuse
Truancy/Chronic Absenteeism
Death in the family
Unexpected events (fire, shelter, scholar going into foster care)
Feeling down, hopeless, worthless, or guilty
Sudden loss of self-confidence or sense of security
Inappropriate touching
Name and describe two reportable forms of abuse/neglect?
Forms of Abuse
Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Emotional/Psychological Abuse
Forms of Neglect
Abandonment
Failure to provide
Educational Neglect
DAILY DOUBLE: Why is the following statement important:
"The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession’s focus on individual well being in a social context and the well being of society. Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living.”
This is the social work mission statement. It differentiates the social work profession from medicine/psychology/psychiatry etc.
Why are Ms. Sutton and Ms. Wolfe in our classrooms?
observing how the scholar relates to their peers, tolerates the rules and anything else that is relevant to the scholars success in your room.
We will also support rooms in which we know some scholars might be having a tough time. We will push into classrooms to support when needed….if you need support in your room….ASK!
Where did Ms. Sutton and Ms. Wolfe first meet?
We first met during graduate school during an internship at Sunny view Reb hospital. They worked in a TBI unit.
What can I (teachers) do during a crisis
LBJS: Listen, Believe, no Judgment, take it Seriously
Let the scholar know you are concerned about them and want him/her to talk to someone who can help.
Inform the SST Immediately
If there is an immediate safety concern, do not leave the scholar unattended.
Should you involve the social worker if you are making a report to ACS (Administration of Children Services)?
ALWAYS involve your social worker!
Whether you suspect, have a disclosure, or witness child abuse, reach out to SW. If the social worker is out of the building, follow up with Mr. Geddes and/or Mr. Clay with a brief synopsis IMMEDIATELY.
Social Worker will discuss the case with the staff member, and assist in determining whether it warrants an ACS call.
Either staff member and/or social worker will make a report to the State Central Registry.
Social Worker will follow up with ACS caseworker and update all parties as needed.
What are some of our day-to-day responsibilities?
Individual and group IEP counseling. | Voluntary counseling. |
Assess for scholar/family safety and plan for an appropriate intervention. | Identify scholars in need of mental health services and refer to outside counseling. |
Coordinate 504 referrals | Support HPM team with RTI & FBA/BIPs |
Function as part of Student Support Team re: CSE referrals, IEPs | Support our highest achieving scholars in applying to college-preparatory programs. |
Collaborate with outside service providers (ACS, Foster Care, Therapists, Coaches, Hospitals) to relay school concerns and advocate scholars’ needs are addressed. | Offer community referrals to scholars/families in need of, but not limited to: financial, legal, medical and/or housing support. |
Provide short-term grief & loss counseling | Monitor for chronic absenteeism/lateness |
Offer conflict mediation, bullying prevention/intervention, social skills building, and other topics as needed. | Provide direct services to scholars exhibiting challenging behavior and offer resources for HPM DREAM TEAM on managing them. |
How do I get information about a scholar you are working with?
Ask! There may be some things we cannot disclose to respect scholar's confidentiality however, we will always answer questions to the best of our ability. We will be in ALL grade level meetings as well to disseminate necessary information.
**Daily Double**
True or False: Ms. Sutton's cat name is Mr. Choo and Ms. Wolfe's cat's name is Lola.
False.
**Daily Double***
Scholar received a referral. Instead of reporting to the DREAM room she reports to the bathroom and refuses to leave. While in the bathroom scholar says: I am not going to the stupid DREAM room
Does this require social work intervention?
No. This should be treated as a refusal. You would reach out to the entire SST team to assist