Senate Concurrent Resolution 563

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MARCH 5-11, 2023, AS "NATIONAL SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK WEEK IN MISSISSIPPI" AND EXPRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMS.

WHEREAS, 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 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.

WHEREAS, School Social Work Services include the following:

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

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

• Assisting students with mental health concerns

• Developing staff in-service training programs

• Assisting teachers with behavior management

• Providing 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 services to meet the needs of students and families

• Helping the system respond effectively to each child's needs

SERVICES TO DISTRICTS:

• Assist in developing and implementing educational programs for exceptional children

• Developing alternative programs for students with attendance concerns or involvement 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

RELATED SERVICES:

• Participating in special education assessment meetings as well as Individual Educational Planning 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;

WHEREAS, the importance of school social work, through the inclusion of school social work programs and services, has been recognized in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 USC 6301 et seq.) and the Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act (20 USC 1400 et seq.); and

WHEREAS, the celebration of "School Social Work Week" during the week beginning March 5, 2023, highlights the vital role school social workers play in the lives of students in the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate March 5-11, 2023, as "National School Social Work Week in Mississippi" and express the importance of school social work programs in order to recognize the contributions of school social workers to the successes of students in schools across Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education and school districts across the state are hereby encouraged to observe "National School Social Work Week" with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the vital role of school social workers, in schools and the community as a whole, in helping students prepare for their futures as productive citizens.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.