School Social Work Newsletter
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MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2023
Greeting Stevens Stars, we hope this finds you and yours well. This is the bi-monthly newsletter from the Stevens Elementary Social Work Team. The goal is to update you with our social work news and events as well as cut down on the amount of emails you’re receiving.
Stevens Elementary School Social Work Team:
Darryl James, M.S.W. – School Social Worker
Role of School Social Worker:
School social work is a specialized area of practice within the broad field of the social work profession. School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school system and the student services team. School Social Workers are trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic, and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators as well as provide individual and group counseling/therapy. School social workers are instrumental in furthering the mission of the schools which is to provide a setting for teaching, learning, and for the attainment of competence and confidence. School social workers are hired by school districts to enhance the district’s ability to meet its academic mission, especially where home, school and community collaboration is the key to achieving student success.
RELATED SERVICES:
Participating in special education assessment meetings as well as individual Educational Planning Meetings, MTSS meetings, Student of Concern meetings.
Working with those problems in a child's living situation that affect the child’s adjustment in school. (home, school, and community)
Preparing a social or developmental history on a child with a disability. Counseling (group, individual and/or family)
Mobilizing family, school, and community resources to enable the child to learn as effectively as possible in his or her educational program
Assisting in developing positive behavioral intervention strategies (PBIS).
504 Building Coordinator.
SERVICES TO STUDENTS:
Providing crisis intervention.
Developing intervention strategies to increase academic success.
Assisting with conflict resolution and anger management.
Helping the child develop appropriate social interaction skills.
Assisting the child in understanding and accepting self and others.
SERVICES TO PARENT/FAMILIES:
Working with parents to facilitate their support in their children's school adjustment.
Alleviating family stress to enable the child to function more effectively in school and community.
Assisting parents to access programs available to students with special needs.
Assisting parents in accessing and utilizing school and community resources.
SERVICES TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL:
Providing staff with essential information to better understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting a student’s performance and behavior.
Assessing students with mental health concerns.
Assisting teachers with behavior management.
Providing direct support to staff.
SCHOOL-COMMUNITY LIAISON:
Obtaining and coordinating community resources to meet students' needs.
Helping school to 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.
Current Schedule and Work Activities: Mon-Fri
Mondays and Fridays – Stevens Elementary School - 7:25AM-2:55PM
Tuesdays and Thursdays – Greenwood Elementary School - 7:25AM-2:55PM
Wednesdays – Alternate between both schools
Resources:
Food
Online Free or Reduced Lunch Application: https://paypams.com/OnlineApp.aspx
Ballard Food Bank: https://www.ballardfoodbank.org/
Food Bank Locations: King County https://verdanthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/King-County-Food-Bank.pdf
Food Resource Guide: https://verdanthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/King-County-Food-Bank.pdf
Tutu’s Pantry:
Tutu’s Pantry is a food support program, run by the Stevens community for Stevens students. In previous years we have sent a backpack of food home each Friday if a grown- up opts their student(s) into the program. https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:8f5968d0-ea35-3389-85c5-babfbaed4fcb
Right Now Needs Funds:
The Right Now Needs Fund is an initiative from the Alliance for Education, and was launched in October of 2018 with a $2M/two year investment from Amazon. The Fund is designed to provide funds to address the most basic needs of Seattle Public Schools students, to ensure that students can come to school and focus on learning. The Alliance stewards and disburses the funds to all 102 Seattle Public Schools in amounts reflective of the percentage of students in each school receiving free and reduced lunch. The fund can be leveraged to provide support for the immediate needs of students not covered by existing school budgets. Funds can be requested by any school community member and requests are approved by the school principal.
FAQs
Who will the Right Now Needs Fund benefit?
The Right Now Needs Fund is designed to directly benefit students, particularly students whose learning is being impacted by poverty.
What can the funds be spent on?
The funds can be spent on addressing the basic needs of students. Examples of appropriate expenditures include warm clothing, adequate food, shelter, and necessary school supplies. Funds cannot be spent on existing school budget expenses.
How can I access the Right Now Needs Fund?
You access the Right Now Needs Fund by contacting your child’s principal. School principals have been trained on how to request disbursements.
I know about needs in my school community that could be addressed by this fund. How do I request a disbursement?
Any school community member can recommend a disbursement of the fund, however school principals provide final authorization and make requests. Speak with your school principal or school social worker if you, or someone you know could benefit from the Fund’s support.
*Stevens Elementary has been approved for $1500(30 gift cards) for familiesuntil the end of the school year .
Stevens Counseling Support:
Individual Counseling:
How do I address social-emotional learning?
1. Start the day with a student check-in. ...
2. Use art therapy to increase self-esteem, address difficult feelings/emotions, and
to connect.
3. Nurture a culture of kindness. ...
4. Build social-emotional vocabulary. ...
5. Include reflective writing. ...
6. Incorporate a “calm-down corner” and/or quiet spaces.
7. Allow time for talking. ...
8. Teach mindfulness.
Current caseload: 10-12 students(K-5 th )
Group Counseling/Classroom Presentation/Curriculums:
Second Step Curriculum:
Children benefit from social-emotional learning (SEL) at any time, but today it’s especially important to help them develop the skills they need
to connect and thrive. Second Step® Elementary is a leading research- based SEL curriculum for students in Kindergarten–Grade 5. The program offers two options: the web-based Second Step® Elementary digital program and print-based Second Step® Elementary classroom kits.
3-5 Lunchtime Friendship Group(s) - This group is for students who could benefit from practicing friendship skills and additional social skills.
BIPOC Counseling Support: https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/mental-health-services/bipoc/
Housing:
King County Prevention and Rent Assistance Program https://kingcounty.gov/depts/community-human- services/COVID/eviction-prevention-rent-assistance.aspx
https://www.solid-ground.org/get-help/housing/
EDUCATOR RESOURCES:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/
https://www.edutopia.org/article/5-simple-ways-manage-stress-year
https://www.edutopia.org/article/do-you-have-virtual-backup-plan
https://www.headspace.com/educators
(Mediatation&Mindfulness Training) (Headspace offers free access to all K-12 teachers, school administrators, and supporting staff in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.)
TalkingPoints: Translated Two-Way Communication Tool
Throughout our pandemic response, English Learner families have shared that they prefer translated texts and robocalls if in-person meetings aren’t
possible. Seattle Public Schools is committed to improving two-way family communications and engagement, with a focus on families and students furthest from educational justice. In support of this commitment, the district has purchased a new communication platform, Talking Points. This new tool will provide two-way texting capabilities for schools and classroom educators. Talking Points translates messages back and forth into over 100
languages. Families will be automatically enrolled in Talking Points and can easily opt out of communications. Training is currently underway for staff.
Find the app at CLEVER.
CRISIS RESOURCES
Crisis Connections connects people in physical, emotional and financial crisis to services through 24-Hour Crisis Line, Teen Link, WA Recovery Help Line, and WA Warm Line. Crisis Text Line offers 24/7 support from trained Crisis Counselors by texting HOME to 741741.
Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress at 1-
800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. For many survivors, staying home may not be safe. Futures Without Violence is maintaining comprehensive information and resources for survivors, communities, and domestic and sexual violence advocacy organizations and service providers.
National Domestic Violence Hotline offers support through the chat feature on the website or over the phone at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).
API Chaya specializes in supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking with people from or affiliated with Asian, Pacific Islander, and Middle Eastern communities.
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence provides numerous resources for domestic violence survivors including shelters and local programs.
The University of Washington's Forefront Suicide Prevention Program is providing a series of webinars for kids, parents, and educators, focusing on mental wellness and suicide prevention.
Mental Health and Substance Use Support Services
During these uncertain times you might find that you’re in need of support. Below is a list of Community Based Providers and Crisis Support contacts to help support you and your family during this time. Agencies are offering Telehealth support services such as phone or video platforms to provide counseling support.
Atlantic Street Center
Atlanticstreetcenter.org
206-329-2050
Sound (Multiple locations)
sound.health
206-901-2000 or 206-302-2300
*Serving current clients and accepting new clients through telehealth
*Substance Use Support new and current clients
*Virtual Parent Support Group – Contact: Parent Partner Jody 206-604-2099
YMCA
seattleymca.org
206-382-5340
*Serving current clients and accepting new clients through telehealth
Center for Human Services (Located in Shoreline)
chs-nw.org
206-631-8887
*Serving current clients and accepting new clients through telehealth
*Substance Use Support new and current clients
Crisis Support
CCORS - Children’s Crisis Outreach Response System and Intensive Stabilization
Services (Services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for
children experiencing a mental health crisis)
seattleymca.org
206-461-3222
Crisis Connections 24-Hr Crisis Support
crisisconnections.org
866-427-4747 or 206-461-3222
King County Crisis Line 24-Hr Crisis Support
kingcounty.gov
206-296-0582
5TH GRADE FAMILIES
Meany Middle School:
Mr. John Paul Minor, 6 th Grade School Counselor at Meany Middle School will visit Stevens for 5th graders who are planning to attend Meany. The visit will take place in early June. The presentation and Q&A generally take 30 minutes to an hour.