Characteristics of Students:

All students enrolled in Minneapolis Public Schools may receive social work services. Typically, students served are experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, attendance or other adjustment concerns that interfere with their achievement. In addition, all students birth to age 21 who are identified as students needing special education are eligible for social work services.

Service Delivery Model:

School social workers work with parents, students and school staff to identify student needs that interfere with learning in order to support the students directly, make appropriate referrals to regular and special education services, and help the student and family connect with community resources. Social workers work with general and special education students and families to resolve social, emotional and behavioral problems through assessment, consultation with school staff and community providers, through development and implementation of behavior management plans, and providing indirect and direct service. Social workers support students and families experiencing crisis; advocate for students and parents during educational planning observing procedural safeguards for parents; monitor and intervene with students exhibiting chronic attendance problems. They lead the Student Support Team, participate in the multidisciplinary evaluation to determine eligibility for special education, and identify needs and may provide case management, direct or indirect service.

Locations:

Social work services are available at all Minneapolis Public Schools.

Placement:

Students may contact the social worker directly, or may be referred by parents/guardians or staff members.