Adjustment Counselor/ Social Worker

POSITION: ADJUSTMENT COUNSELOR/ SOCIAL WORKER REPORTS TO: Building Principal, Director/Asst. Director of Special Education ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Adjustment counselors/ Social Workers assist students with academic learning by providing strategic services that identify and address the social-emotional-environmental issues that interfere with the educational process. Working with parents/guardians, teachers, school principal/principal's designee, and community based resources, the school counselor/ adjustment counselor implements strategies that promote students' positive school adjustment. Adjustment counselors/ Social Workers are members of the Special Education Department.

Each adjustment counselor/ social worker is assigned to the school(s) based upon identified needs of the student population. JOB DUTIES: Identifies and assesses academic problems through analysis of factors impinging on student adjustment including factors in the home, school, and community. Determines and implements appropriate school based therapeutic strategies to effect changes in behavioral-social interactions of students and their families. Collection and documentation of student progress through progress monitoring and observation data.

Provides individual and group therapeutic counseling to students and, as appropriate, families. Collaborates with school staff and other school system personnel in implementing strategies to promote student learning. Participate as members of the IEP and other school based teams to develop interventions for promoting students' academic success. Serves on both school-based and system-wide committees to address educational, adjustment problems, safety issues, and program development for students.

Provides crisis intervention services. Completes psychosocial assessments to assist in the determination of special education services. Provides social work case management for students and families. Provides staff consultation on behavioral/emotional/environmental issues affecting student participation in the learning process.

Maintains required clinical records and submits appropriate documents for statistical reports with adherence to program standards in school social work. Serves as District Contact Person for related service IEPs, social/counseling goal. Manages a 504 caseload, including setting up parent meetings, writing 504 plans, and ensuring stakeholders are made aware of new and adjusted 504 plans. Completes risk assessments on referred students.

Serves as liaison with community agencies and assists in fostering communication between schools, parents/guardians, and community leaders. Locates and mobilizes community resources to support the educational program. Attends meetings and professional development activities as required. Follows all federal, state and district-wide mandates, laws, and initiatives.