The Role of School Social Workers 

Middle school social workers are crucial for addressing social, emotional, and academic barriers to learning by connecting students, families, and schools with vital resources. School Social Workers provide direct support through counseling, crisis intervention, and teaching life skills, and by acting as a bridge to community services to foster academic success and well-being in students during a critical developmental period. 

Direct Support: School Social Workers provide individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and teach students coping, decision-making, and anger management skills. 

Facilitate School-Family-Community Connections: Social workers act as a bridge, collaborating with teachers, administrators, and parents to address student needs. They also connect families with essential community resources and support agencies. 

Address Learning Barriers: Social workers help identify and resolve social, emotional, and behavioral problems, such as supporting housing and food insecurity,  attendance, and peer issues, that interfere with a student's ability to learn and succeed. 

Promote a Positive School Climate: Social workers contribute to developing and implementing school-wide programs focused on positive behavior, social-emotional learning, and conflict resolution. 

Conduct Assessments and Develop Plans: Social Workers perform social emotional and adaptive behavior assessments to understand student needs and participate in creating support plans, such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP), to help students flourish academically and personally. 

Advocate for Students: Social workers are advocates, ensuring students have access to the resources and support necessary to navigate challenges and achieve their full potential.