Clinical and Community Practice with focus on School Social Work

School social workers are certified educators and licensed mental health professionals who hold a minimum of a master’s degree in social work with a specialization in school social work practice. School social workers’ training includes specialized preparation in cultural diversity, trauma, systems theory, social justice, risk assessment and intervention, consultation and collaboration, and clinical intervention strategies to address the mental health needs of students. By serving as a link between the family, school, and community, they work to remedy barriers to learning created as a result of poverty, inadequate health care, and neighborhood violence. School social workers often focus on providing supports to vulnerable populations of students that have a high risk for truancy and dropping out of school, such as homeless or foster children, migrant populations, students transitioning between school and treatment programs or the juvenile justice system, or students experiencing domestic violence. They work closely with teachers, administrators, parents, and other educators to provide coordinated interventions and consultation designed to keep students in school and to help their families access the school and community supports needed to promote student success.