Last modified: October 3, 2023

District Social Worker FAQ

Why Does a School Need a School Social Worker?

The need for mental health support has never been greater for students and their families. School social workers play a critical role in schools to provide services to students that enhance their emotional well-being and improve academic performance. School social workers are trained, licensed mental health professionals skilled in assessing and supporting the various needs of students and their families. Provo City School District employs a full-time social worker at every school, making it possible to reach more students and families, focus on prevention, build meaningful relationships, and more quickly respond to student needs. They also strive to improve overall student wellness and safety by working directly with families, providing therapy, facilitating groups, coordinating community services, and collaborating with school staff. One of the main goals of a social worker is to help students be safe and feel happy.

What Services Does a School Social Worker Provide?

• Providing crisis management services, including assessing for safety
• Assessing students for support systems, physical and emotional functioning, barriers to academic performance, peer issues, suicidal/homicidal ideation, substance use, and similar issues
• Increasing student engagement and attendance in school by providing positive interventions and behavior support
• Providing therapeutic services to students on a case-by-case basis
• Conducting home visits and coordinating with parents
• Advocating for students to receive services to help them to be more successful in the classroom
• Providing access to and managing wellness spaces (where available)
• Providing case management services including, but not limited to, referrals to community resources and collaboration with other professionals
• Providing trainings and workshops to teachers, school staff and parents
• Providing behavior support
• Advocating for students while working closely with the school principal, counselor/psychologist, nurse, teachers, and other district personnel in a multidisciplinary team.
• Facilitating Groups/Clubs such as:
  • Kindness Club
  • HOPE Squad
  • Friendship/Social Skills
  • Emotional Regulation
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Grief/Loss
  • Body Safety
  • Healthy Relationships
  • Student Success

How Does a School Social Worker Differ From A Department of Children and Family Services Worker (DCFS)?

School social workers are different from a DCFS worker in that we do not investigate child abuse/neglect allegations or initiate removals from the home. School social workers, like all other adults in Utah, are mandated by Utah law to report abuse/neglect concerns to DCFS.

How Do Social Workers Determine What Students Receive Services?

School social workers serve all students in the Provo School District. Most school social workers receive referrals from parents, school counselors, teachers, administrators, or, at times, a community agency. School social workers are different from a DCFS worker in that we do not investigate child abuse/neglect allegations or initiate removals from the home. School social workers, like all other adults in Utah, are mandated by Utah law to report abuse/neglect concerns to DCFS.

What Types of Issues Does a Social Worker Help With?

• Suicide ideation
• School refusal/separation anxiety
• Behavioral concerns (I.E. class disruptions)
• Mental health concerns (I.E. anxiety, depression, self-harm, etc.)
• Helping families meet basic needs (I.E. housing, financial crisis, food insecurity, medical/dental, clothing, etc.)

If you have any other questions, please reach out to your School Social Worker.