Grady County Schools Social Services Department

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Dr. Katina Cooper, DSW, MSW

Director of Social Services

Homeless Liaison

Foster Care Point of Contact

Title IX, Coordinator

community

School Social Workers play an integral part in the pursuit of educational excellence. School Social Workers are charged with the task to analyze barriers to learning and achievement, and to develop and implement strategies which address and eliminate identified barriers to student learning.

 Thus, School Social Workers help students to:

  • Increase academic success

  • Cope with crisis situations

  • Develop self-discipline

  • Learn problem-solving and decision making skills

  • Improve attendance                                                                                

  • Remain in school and graduate

Guiding Principles

  • The School Social Worker will collaborate and consult with students, parents, school administrators, faculty, and the community in the identification of family and student support services.

  • The School Social Worker will respect the individual differences of children and families.

  • The School Social Worker will provide appropriate interventions and services that help children and families that are at risk for educational failure.

  • The School Social Worker will develop relationships with students and families to facilitate the desired changes identified by the student, family and school.

  Attendance

  • Function as a child advocate to promote regular school attendance for all students

  • Consult with all school personnel to encourage early identification of students with a pattern of irregular or poor school attendance

  • Conference with students at school to identify factors that may cause or contribute to poor school attendance.

  • Inform students and parents of their individual and collective responsibility in regard to the Georgia Compulsory School Attendance Law.

  • Provide direct social services to students and families during home visitations.

  • Collaborate with parents to identify problems at the home and school level that may contribute to poor school attendance.

  • When appropriate, provide parents with a list of community resources that can provide a variety of services to families

  • Identify personnel and programs within the school that can provide additional support for students (psychological services and counseling)