"School Social Work has taught me so much! I enjoy assisting students and families in tackling barriers and advocating for their needs!"
-Albrey Sorrell, MSW Student
#schoolsocialworkweek2023
School Social Workers
Serving Georgia Cyber Academy’s diverse population requires experience, knowledge, and understanding of our students and their family's needs. Our School Social Workers utilize these skills to provide consultation, training, and resources materials while facilitating and contributing to assessments and interventions with students and their families in the way that is most beneficial to them. School Social Workers support students in academic, social, and life successes while acting as bridge between school, family, and the community.
Happy School Social Work Week
March 5 -11th: Celebrate school social workers across the nation and appreciate their work in helping students and families. School social workers are professionals within the social work field that work with teachers, parents, local agencies, and school administrators. They help students deal with mental health, behavioral, economic challenges and provide academic and classroom support. They also help in developing education policies, work with crisis interventions, and identify and report child neglect and abuse. School social workers work with grades K-12, DJJ and children exiting foster care. Join us in celebrating our GCA SSW's this week.
"I chose to be a school social worker simply from the basis of my love for helping others. Now, I get to accomplish that desire by assisting displaced families who are in need each and everyday. Win, win! Additionally, I connect families with resources in their local communities, advocate for educational accommodations and identify presenting barriers which may inhibit students from performing their best."
-Mia Lewis, LMSW
#schoolsocialworkweek2023
"I chose to be a School Social Worker because it allows me to help those in need and advocate for those without a voice! Each day has it challenges but it's truly a rewarding profession to be apart of!"
-Jasmine Louis, LMSW
#schoolsocialworkweek2023
"School Social Work chose me!! I love working with students and families while using interventions that identify strengths and aid families in sustaining their needs. I like having honest conversations to support their educational, health and economic goals."
-Zakiya Shareef-Givens, LMSW
#schoolsocialworkweek2023
"I love working with students and being the bridge between school and home. As a school social worker I get to be an advocate, educator, resource connecter and ally for my students and their families as we work to remove barriers that affect education. There is no bigger reward than watching my students succeed."
-Creystal Fagbohun, LCSW
#schoolsocialworkweek2023
Programs & Initiatives
School Social Workers partner with School Counselors for homeroom lessons and themed awareness week programs including Red Ribbon Week, Cyberbullying Prevention, and Fire Prevention Week. Other initiatives include the Suicide Prevention Symposium and the Truancy Intervention and Prevention Initiative.
School Social Workers also provide daily and weekly check-ins on students and families through referrals and teacher recommendations by visiting classrooms and/or conducting telephone sessions with students and caregivers. During these check-ins, School Social Workers address concerns around academics, home life, goals, and discuss mental/emotional blocks or other barriers. These conversations explore behaviors and mindsets, are guided, and include prompts that encourage students to think about how their environment, support systems, and their own strengths can be used to help them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
Parenting and Pregnancy Teen Support Group
- Grades K-5 Grief Support Group Hive (Honey & Hopes)
- Grades 6-8 Grief Support Group
- Grades 9-12 Grief Support Group (Riding the Wave)
- Special Education Grades 6-8 Parent Support
- Parenting Workshops/Training
- School Social Worker Lunch Bunch
Contact your grade band’s School Social Workers for group registration links.
Group Sessions
- Parenting and Pregnancy Teen Support Group
- Grades K-5 Grief Support Group Hive (Honey & Hopes)
- Grades 6-8 Grief Support Group
- Grades 9-12 Grief Support Group (Riding the Wave)
- Special Education Grades 6-8 Parent Support
- Parenting Workshops/Training
- School Social Worker Lunch Bunch
Contact your grade band’s School Social Workers for group registration links.
Referrals
School Social Worker referrals address crisis intervention, deaths in the family, suicidal ideation, truancy, self-harm, domestic violence, student assessments, pregnancy/teen parenting, goal setting, lack of basic needs, social-emotional/ mental health, barriers for at-risk students, stress/ anxiety, health issues, domestic/family violence, MKV (displaced/ transitional), LGBTQIA+ spectrum, family conflict, runaways, foster care, military families, parenting, and more.
GCA Social Workers
School Social Workers:
- may conduct Home Visits on a case-by-case basis.
- are mandated reporters and may also refer families to the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services if needed.
- may request welfare checks through a student/family's local police/sheriff's department as needed.
Parents of students who are truant may be subject to a truancy petition being filed with their local courts.
GCA partners with the University of Georgia to host Master of Social Work students for their internships/practicum hours. Our interns assist with resource development, programs, co-leading groups, referral/case management, follow-ups with students and families
GCA SSW’s are ethically compelled to monitor and evaluate policies, the implementation of programs, and practice interventions (NASW) National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics). In addition to these services; we promote Social Justice, Dignity, and the worth of the person. Highlight the importance of human relationships, Integrity, and Competence. Other Associations and Code of ethics are School Social Work Association of Georgia, GA Office of Dispute Resolution, AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts), GAWL (Georgia Association of Women in Law)
Find Help Georgia
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, chat with them online via their website, or text HOME to 741741 (multiple languages available). If this is an emergency, call 911.