Equity Through Action Program

What's your ETA?

The Equity Through Action program is an attendance program that focuses on supporting families with chronic absenteeism. These families receive support from master level social worker students placed at different school sites throughout the district. Currently MVUSD has a partnership with four universities: California State University San Marcos, California State University San Bernardino, California Baptist University and University of Southern California

Mary Jessica Cardenas

Mary Jessica Cardenas is a social worker has been with Moreno Valley Unified School District since November 2015. Mary works with the B.A.R.R. Program at Moreno Valley High School and Vista de Lago High School BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) is a proven model that improves the education system predicated on two pillars – relationships and data. It is designed to create strong schools and communities by empowering students, teachers, and families with data, so that schools can re-align existing resources to nurture a unified and personalized culture of support and success for every student, both inside and outside of the classroom. She is part of the Risk Review Team that assesses the needs for support for the Tier III students.

She also oversees the social work intern trainees in the Equity Through Action Program. These master level students come from a partnership with CSU San Marcos, Cal Baptist University, CSU San Bernardino, and USC's Master of Social Work Program. The Equity Through Action Program is CWA’s program that focuses on students that have high chronic absenteeism and low classroom engagement. This program allows the social work intern trainees to assess the student’s needs. Under the supervision of the district social workers, remove any barriers and provide equitable education to them.

mcardenas@mvusd.net

California School Social Workers provide a system to maintain and increase responsiveness to the social, emotional, educational and mental health needs of all students.

Under the supervision of the Director of Student Services; Social Workers provide collaborative and advisory services to teachers, counselors, parents, administrators, and other personnel related to general education students demonstrating barriers to education. They develop and have knowledge of community agencies, alternative educational programs, mentoring, and other student support services.

https://www.sswaa.org/school-social-work

Angel Agudo

Angel Agudo is a social worker has been with Moreno Valley Unified School District since August 2021. Angel works with the B.A.R.R. Program at Valley View High School and Canyon Springs High School. BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) is a proven model that improves the education system predicated on two pillars – relationships and data. It is designed to create strong schools and communities by empowering students, teachers, and families with data, so that schools can re-align existing resources to nurture a unified and personalized culture of support and success for every student, both inside and outside of the classroom. He is part of the Risk Review Team that assesses the needs for support for the Tier III students.

He also oversees the social work intern trainees in the Equity Through Action Program. These master level students come from a partnership with CSU San Marcos, Cal Baptist University, CSU San Bernardino, and USC's Master of Social Work Program. The Equity Through Action Program is CWA’s program that focuses on students that have high chronic absenteeism and low classroom engagement. This program allows the social work intern trainees to assess the student’s needs. Under the supervision of the district social workers, remove any barriers and provide equitable education to them.

aagudo@mvusd.net

How Do Students Receive Services?

Site Placement

Social Workers and/or attendance clerks will run chronic absenteeism reports to identify students with irregular attendance

They will reach out the students and/or families to offer services, interventions, supports, and/or referrals to District/Community resources

Staff Referrals

Counselors and Administrators may refer students to a Social Worker Intern Trainee by submitting a request for services

STARS/SARB Referrals

Students who are identified during Student Team Attendance Review for Success (STARS) meetings (School Site Level)

Students who are identified during Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) meetings (District Level)

SERVICES TO STUDENTS:

Developing intervention strategies to increase regular attendance and engagement.
Assisting with conflict resolution and anger management.
Helping the student develop appropriate social interaction skills.
Assisting the student in understanding and accepting self and others.
Advocating for student's needs.

SERVICES TO PARENTS&GUARDIANS/FAMILIES:

Working with parents/guardians to facilitate their support in their student’s school adjustment.
Alleviating family stress to enable the student to function more effectively in school and community.
Assisting parent to access programs available to students with special needs.
Assisting parents in accessing and utilizing school and community resources.

SERVICES TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL:

Providing staff with essential information to better understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting a student’s performance and behavior.
Developing staff in-service training programs.
Assisting teachers with behavior management.
Providing direct support to staff.
Conducting home visits.
Participate as support staff on STARS meeting

SERVICES TO THE DISTRICT:

Assist in developing and implementing attendance incentive programs for children.
Developing alternative programs for dropouts, truants, etc.
Identifying and reporting child abuse neglect.
Providing case management for students and families requiring multiple resources.
Participate as a support staff on SARB's

Page updated

Report abuse