Job Description: School Social Worker

Title
School Social Worker
Position Summary
Region 17 is currently seeking a School Social Worker to provide quality, comprehensive school social work services to students and families, addressing barriers that limit students' ability to receive full
benefit from their educational experience. This role collaborates with staff, families, and community agencies to provide coordinated supports and promote student-well being. The School Social
Worker also contributes to crisis response, social-emotional support, multidisciplinary team processes including special education and 504 support.
 

Essential Functions
The job description is illustrative and not a complete itemization of all duties and responsibilities of the position.
- Provides direct counseling to individuals and/or groups of students, using evidence-based practices.
- Demonstrates competency in: Group Therapy, Individual Counseling, and Family Counseling.
- Receives and responds to referrals from school administration, mental health staff, Director of Special Services, as needed
- Understands the continuum of mental health services and refers students and families to an appropriate level of care.

- Provides consultation and facilitates referrals to appropriate levels of care and specialized services based on the student's needs.
- Supports and provides outreach to families in crisis; provides crisis intervention services to students and families.
- Coaches and supports families in accessing information and resources that support family goals/needs; mobilizes family, school, and community resources.
- Attends school attendance meetings; supports referrals from school attendance teams, collaborates with families to support school attendance, and conducts home visits to support
school attendance.
- Supports classroom teachers and other providers in implementing behavior support plans and trauma-informed practices in the classroom.
- Collaborates with school-based mental health teams and administration.
- Addresses and supports families who are experiencing homelessness.
- Schedules home visits/outreach for families as needed.
- Develops connections and contacts with local and state family agencies.
- Demonstrates a commitment to developing strong working relationships with school administration, district leadership, teachers, and paraprofessionals.
- Serves as a case manager and key stakeholder for students with 504 plans and/or school avoidance; collaborates with families, staff, and outside providers to support student
engagement and well-being.
- Submits Medicaid reimbursements in a timely manner.
- Participates in team meetings to update staff on student progress.
- Conducts other duties as assigned by supervisor.

The employee must be able to:
- Maintain a stationary position for extended periods to operate a computer, printer, telephone, and other desktop equipment
- Move about the building and grounds routinely throughout the school day
- Drive to district locations as needed
- Attend training and meetings as required
- Maintain the strictest confidence concerning personnel, students, and operational concerns of the district
- Promote good public relations through personal appearance, attitude, and conversation
- Consistently attends work on scheduled day and time, in professional attire and with a professional demeanor.
- Report all cases of suspected child abuse to appropriate school personnel and the proper school authority
 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - May be representative, but not all-inclusive of those associated with the position:
- Effective, active listening skills

- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Prepare and present clear and concise reports promptly
- Ability to work effectively with others
- Demonstrate sound judgment
- Organizational and problem-solving skills
- Maintain a level of approachability with administration and staff
- Strong team contributor and collaborator
- Interact positively with staff, students, and parents
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, regulatory codes, and professional standards applicable to RSD 17
- Utilize and learn technology at a high level (e.g., Google Docs/Sheets/Slides/Calendar/Drive, PowerSchool, Frontline Central, Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint)
 

Supervisory Requirements
None
 

Education and Experience
- Master's Degree required.
- Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent and/or RSD 17 Board of
 

Education may find appropriate 

- Related experience preferred.
 

Certification
- Certification or eligibility for certification from the CT State Department of Education as a Social Worker with the relevant endorsement code 071.

Background Check
The HR Associate must submit to a satisfactory
- CT Department of Children and Families background check.
- State and national criminal history record check.
Documents necessary to complete the checks must be submitted within 10 days of hire.
 

Work Year
10-month position
 

Salary Range
See HKEA contract
Exempt/Non-Exempt
This position is exempt and affiliated.
 

Reporting Responsibility
The School Social Worker is supervised by a district administrator.