For Administrators:
The best teachers with the biggest teaching “bag of tricks”, recognize that numerous factors interfere with their ability to reach many of their students. Children today are increasingly victims of many social forces and traumas that negatively affect their role as students. Many families are 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.
The New York State School Social Workers’ Association (NYSSSWA) has compiled numerous resources, articles, job descriptions, interview questions, etc. to assist you. See below:
What is the Role of School Social Workers?
NYSSSWA has gathered numerous resources regarding the Role or School Social Workers.
National and State Definitions of School Social Workers
WHY Hire School Social Workers?
School Social Workers enhance the district’s ability to meet its academic mission, by maintaining and enhancing the mental, emotional, behavioral, cognitive and social functioning of student learners.
Recommended School Social Work to Student Ratios
- School Social Workers Helping Students to Succeed: Recommended School Social Worker to Student Ratios 2013. SSWAA
How School Social Workers Team with School Counselors and School Psychologists
Administrators, policy makers and others often ask what the difference is between School Social Workers, School Counselors and School Psychologists. NYSSSWA has gathered several resources to assist you.
Are There Certification or Licensure Requirements for School Social Workers?
The certification process is controlled by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). In order to be a School Social Worker in a New York State Public School setting, the candidate must first obtain at least a Licensed Master Social Worker license in order to obtain a Provisional Certificate. After 2 years of service School Social Workers will be eligible to apply for a Permanent Certificate. Additional requirements include completion of a 3 hour Child Protective course, a 3 hour School Safety Course and a 6 hour Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) course.
See also: How Can Someone Become a School Social Worker in New York? Source NYSED
New York Scope of Practice
New York State outlines the scope of practice for both LMSW and LCSW in Education Law, Article 154: 7701 and 7702. School social workers must continue to “operate” within the scope of practice that their license allows. Local education agencies i.e. school districts, are responsible for defining the school social workers roles. Those job descriptions may include some or all of the things outlined by the state LMSW or LCSW license and often includes anything else needed to be done.
How Do I Evaluate a School Social Worker?
As School Social Workers, we often do not fit into typical district forms for employment or evaluation. As a result, teacher evaluation forms are often used to evaluate school social workers. We realize that many districts struggle with how to evaluate Specialized Instructional Support Personnel.
Click Here for Evaluation Resources
Ready to Hire a School Social Worker?
NYSSSWA has gathered numerous resources to assist you in the hiring process.