Learn more about school social workers!

How is a school social worker different from a Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) social worker?
Our school social workers are employed by Dalton Public Schools and only work with our students, families, and staff. They are certified by the Georgia Department of Education and hold a master’s degree in social work. Sometimes, they may collaborate with a DFCS social worker if a student is in foster care or if the school reports neglect or abuse. 

What does a school social worker do?
Our school social workers help students, school staff, families, and communities by:

• stepping in early to reduce stress and conflicts among individuals or groups,
• providing solutions to problems for students, parents, school staff, or community agencies,
• identifying students who may be at risk, and
• working with different groups in schools to help develop coping, social, and decision-making skills.

How does a school social worker handle excessive absenteeism?
Our school social workers are crucial in preventing dropouts and reducing truancy rates. School administrators keep an eye on student attendance, and if a student has missed 5 unexcused/10 excused days or more, a referral is made to the school social worker. The school social worker then collaborates with staff, parents, or guardians to figure out why the student is missing school, and then works to resolve any barriers to regular attendance. Depending on the situation, they might need to involve the magistrate or juvenile courts, but they usually work on attendance issues way before they become a bigger problem. 

How do school social workers decide which students get help?
Our school social workers help all students, no matter their background or how well they are doing in school. They usually get referrals from school counselors, teachers, administrators, or attendance clerks. Sometimes, even community agencies can refer a student. The school social worker’s day depends on the referrals they get, which determines if they follow up with a simple phone call or if the situation requires a series of visits over several weeks to help the student and their family. 

Homeless Education Program

All children are entitled to a free, public education, including those in families who are experiencing homelessness.  Homeless students are defined as those students who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, including students: 

• Sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to a lack of alternative, adequate accommodations
• Living in emergency & transitional shelters
• Abandoned in hospitals
• Living in public or private places not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations for human beings
• Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations or similar situations
• Migratory children living in the above situations

For more information, contact Jackie Taylor, Homeless Liaison and Lead Social Worker, at 706-463-7624.