Information Resources Van Buren Intermediate School Services Michigan Association of School Social Workers School District www.masswmi.org Providing Educational School Social Work Association of America Frequently Asked Questions (continued) Services For A Better www.sswaa.org Tomorrow “How are the SSW goals determined National Association of Social Workers for the student” www.socialworkers.org Based on the evaluation and the Positive Behavioral Interventions & Support student’s identified needs, goals are developed by the IEP team. The goals www.pbis.org are monitored for progress at regular intervals.

“How is special SSW Van Buren Intermediate service discontinued?” School District When a student has met his or her IEP goals and is effectively accessing the school curriculum, they may no longer 490 South Paw Paw Street be eligible for services. An IEP will be Lawrence, MI 49064 School Social help to discuss discontinuation of SSW 269-674-8091 services. 269-674-8030 FAX Michigan Relay Center - 800-649-3777 Work www.vbisd.org Services

It is the policy of the Van Buren Intermediate School District that no discriminatory practices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, marital status, disability, genetic information or any other status covered by federal, state, or local law be allowed during any program., activity, service, or in . Inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies should be directed to the Director of Finance & Operations or Building Principals, 490 S. Paw Paw Street, Lawrence, MI 49064, 269-674-8091 School Social Work Services

Who is a Special Education • Assist in developing positive behavior with their ability to access and School Social Worker? supports for the student. progress in the general curriculum. • These deficits must have occurred Consulting with school staff on over a period of at least three months. A special education School Social techniques to help students. They cannot be primarily the result of Worker (SSW) is a person who has • Collaborate with parents and/or intellectual, sensory or health factors; been trained to provide evaluation, or due to environmental, cultural or counseling and consulting services to community service providers. economic differences. students who have behavioral or emotional difficulties in the school How is Eligibility Determined? setting. SSWs possess a licensed Frequently Asked masters degree in social work with Special education SSW services are Questions? school endorsement. established through the evaluation and placement process. “How will School Social Work Special education social workers assist (SSW) services help my child?” students to develop positive social skills and behavior choices to help them in • A SSW may utilize observation, Counseling may help your child accessing, participating and interviews, discipline reports, behavior improve social skills, control impulsive progressing in the general curriculum. and emotional rating scales, reactions, learn problem solving input, and parent input to evaluate a techniques, increase self awareness, This is accomplished by: student’s ability to access the curriculum. and better communicate their thoughts • Conducting a comprehensive • An Individual Education Plan Team and feelings. evaluation to determine if a (IEPT) meeting is held following the “Can I request special education student’s social or emotional evaluation. Eligibility and special SSW services for my child?” behavior is interfering with their education SSW services are determined school success to the extent that based on the specific needs of the Special education SSW services are they qualify under state guidelines students. designed to address the challenges for special education services. interfering with a student’s ability to be • If a student is eligible for special successful at school. Services are • Determining what services and education and it is determined at the available for students who are eligible programs will assist students. IEPT meeting that SSW services would through an IEP. • Providing social skills training. assist the student to access the curriculum, goals would then be General education school social work • Providing counseling to help developed for the student. services or outpatient counseling in a develop positive emotional community agency may be accessed responses to difficult feelings, stress for non-special education students. and frustration. Who is Eligible for SSW?

Students who are eligible display significant emotional/behavioral deficits that interfere