Hybrid SOCIAL WORKER (LEAVE OF ABSENCE for 2025-2026 SY Starting 8/27/25 - B Step 1 25/26 Salary Schedule) at Downers Grove Grade School District 58

The school social worker shall provide services to STUDENTS by:

• Working cooperatively with other school personnel in the identification, diagnosis, and remediation of individual students with specialized needs.
• Conferring with school personnel regarding a student’s needs and supports.
• Communicating information about a student’s school needs and supports with parents.
• Consulting with parents regarding ways they can help their child become effective in school.
• Conducting social developmental components of a case study evaluation.
• Administering and interpreting adaptive behavior scales.
• Making classroom observations of a student who has been referred following district procedures.
• Maintaining accurate, complete, and punctual records as required by law, district policy, and administrative direction.
• Responding swiftly and effectively, in line with training, to ensure student safety and well-being.

The School Social Worker shall provide services to the PARENTS of District 58 by:

• Serving as a liaison between home and school, providing parental education and counseling.
• Obtaining medical, social, or educational information about a referred student from community agencies with proper releases of information.
• Conferring with parents concerning their feelings about special education services/placements; preparing parents for upcoming meetings.
• Preparing for and attending student meetings (IEP, 504, etc.); providing emotional support to parents; presenting social/developmental information.
• Helping parents understand school policies, procedures, and expectations to better support their child's success.
• Making provisions to be available to parents and school personnel as needed for education-related purposes.
• Treating personal information about students, parents, or staff members confidentially and ethically by discussing such personal information only with individuals having a demonstrable educational interest in the student.
• Connecting parents with community resources, such as mental health services, food assistance, or housing support.

The School Social Worker shall provide services to the TEACHERS in District 58 by:

• Collaborating with teachers to identify students who may be struggling emotionally or socially and providing strategies for classroom management.
• Offering guidance on how to support students with behavioral or mental health challenges, including trauma-informed practices.
• Providing professional development or training on topics like social-emotional learning (SEL), de-escalation techniques, and effective communication with students.
• Assisting in developing individualized strategies for students with special needs, including accommodations and behavioral interventions.
• Observing students in the classroom to provide insights into their behavior and offer tailored recommendations for supporting them.
• Facilitating communication between teachers, parents, and support staff to ensure a coordinated approach to student success.
• Assisting teachers in navigating difficult situations, such as managing crises, addressing student conflicts, or handling sensitive topics.
• Helping teachers understand the psychological and emotional factors that may affect student learning and providing resources for addressing these factors.
• Encouraging a positive school climate by promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma around seeking help.