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Roles and Services
School social workers are an invaluable link between the student, family, school, and community.
We are “trained mental health professionals who are prepared to recognize and respond to student mental health crises and needs as well as provide support to administration and staff when school crises occur,” according to the NASW.
Although our primary client is the student, we also work to help link students and their families to school and community resources to promote student success.
Your School Social Worker is a licensed mental health professional who works in conjunction with the school staff, administration, and the school district to help eliminate barriers that prevent a student from being academically successful. The role of the school social worker on this team is unique, however, and should never be confused with the roles of the other professionals because of the specialized skills that we bring to the team including but not limited to:
- Resource linkage and development
- Preparation of specialized student reports, such as a bio-psychosocial assessment
- Expert guidance in the area of Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
- Truancy prevention and intervention services
- Individual counseling and crisis intervention
- Home visits to speak with family members to address student concerns.
- Group therapy
- Expert training and guidance in the area of cultural competency and cultural awareness
More specifically, your school social worker can help with...
CONFLICT MEDIATION
Helping to resolve disputes among two or more individuals.
CRISIS INTERVENTION
Intervention with students having an urgent personal, school, or family concerns.
SUPPORTIVE PYSCHO-EDUCATIONAL COUNSELING
Individual or small group counseling to support student needs.
CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS
Problem solving, positive social skills, dealing with bullying and staying safe on the internet, stress management & coping skills.
COMMUNITY REFERALS:
To agencies for such as DFPS, Health Care, or private counseling.
TRANSITION ASSISTANCE:
Assisting new/incoming students with becoming familiar with the culture and community at school; support students struggling to attend class.
Email: Mia.Sepulveda@houstonisd.org
Phone: 713-867-5219
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Referral Process
A student may be referred for services with the school social worker by a school staff member, by self-referral (personally requesting to talk to the social worker), or by a parent or guardian. See contact information above.
All students enrolled at Harvard Elementary School are automatically opted in to receive social work services due to the student being enrolled in HISD and the social worker being an HISD employee.
In the case that a parent does not want their child to be seen by the social worker, a form must be signed by both the parent and the social worker. The parent will receive a copy of the signed form.
Services provided by licensed school Social Workers are not intended to replace the services provided by Licensed Clinical Counselors/Therapists. School services are designed to assist students with behavioral, social, emotional, and family/community needs. The format may be either small groups or individual sessions.