School Social Worker - Berlin Elementary School

Job Description of the Integrated Behavioral Health Specialist / Social Worker Updated: November 30, 2023 Title: School Social Worker (title approved 12/5/24) Reports To: Building Principal Job Overview: The Integrated Behavioral Health Specialist for the Berlin School District works with students, families and school personnel from all grade levels within the district (K-12). Integrated Behavioral Health Specialists are trained mental health professionals who are included within the student support and wellness team and can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators. They also address social/emotional challenges, truancy issues and safety concerns of the students. Integrated Behavioral Health Specialists may also provide both individual and group counseling. They are the link between home, school and community in providing both direct and indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students’ academic and social success. Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Social Work and job-related experience as a School Social Worker, LCSW, School Psychologist, M-LADAC, LCMHC or School Counselor with significant counseling experience. Salary: Teacher Pay Scale General Responsibilities: Identify social, emotional, and psychological barriers to student achievement and develop intervention strategies to address them Assess home, community and school conditions impacting a student’s social and academic achievement, including home visits if appropriate Complete biopsychosocial assessments to identify mental health concerns and refer to appropriate services Develop referral pathways for community mental health and related services and assist families in the referral process Assist school administrators and student support/wellness team in crisis response and de-escalation Serve as a liaison between the school and community mental health agencies, DCYF, and the court/juvenile justice system Provide individual, small group, and classroom wide services Enhance the emotional/behavior management capacity of the school staff in the form of professional development and/or individual classroom consultation Participate in special education assessment meetings as well as individual education planning meetings Work to identify and mitigate problems within a child’s living situation that affect the child’s adjustment in school Assist in developing positive behavior intervention plans (BIP’s) Counseling (group, individual and/or family) Services to students: Provide crisis intervention Develop individual intervention strategies to increase academic and social success Assist with conflict resolution and anger management Support students in developing and utilizing appropriate social interaction skills Support students to better understand and accept themselves and others Services to parents/families: Work with parents/guardians to facilitate their support in their children’s academic and social well being and success Assist in alleviating family stress to enable the child to function more effectively within school and the community Assist parents/guardians to access programs available to students with special needs Assist parents/guardians in accessing and utilizing school and community resources Services to school personnel: Provide staff with essential information to better understand factors (societal, cultural, economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting a student’s performance and behavior Developing staff in-service training programs Assisting teachers with behavior management Provide direct support to staff School-community liaison: Obtaining and coordinating community resources to meet students’ needs Helping school districts receive adequate support from social and mental health agencies Advocating for new and improved community/school service to meet the needs of students and families Helping the system respond effectively to each child’s needs Services to the district: Developing alternative programs for students with attendance concerns or problems with the law Identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect Providing consultation regarding school law and school policy including IDEA and Section 504 Providing case management for students and families requiring multiple resources Attend and participate in all PBIS related meeting to discuss unique strategies to address and reduce or eliminate challenges associated with students academic and social success Desired Qualities: Strong verbal and written communication skills Be comfortable and effective in conflict resolution Advocacy- for students, families, and staff Ability to prioritize tasks Ethical integrity and collaboration with other SSW’s as necessary Dependable Team-oriented Possess strong leadership skills Develop and maintain strong personal and professional boundaries Maintain accurate documentation and records Practices self-care (mental, emotional, physical and spiritual) in order to maintain overall wellness and prevent burn-out Desire to challenge social injustice Respect the dignity and worth of all people Recognize the central importance of human relationships Trustworthiness Develop and maintain competency in scope of practice Possess a strong desire to help those in need who are facing social challenges

Salary : $44,012 - $84,514