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Meet Mrs. Callahan, our school social worker!
Meet Mrs. Callahan, our school social worker!
As a school social worker, my hope is to utilize my experience and expertise within our school community to remove barriers that make learning difficult. I am not only a licensed therapist but also a Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Certified instructor and a Suicide Prevention Trainer for the district. With these additional training and certifications, I am excited to assist our students and families in being the best version of themselves.
As a school social worker, my hope is to utilize my experience and expertise within our school community to remove barriers that make learning difficult. I am not only a licensed therapist but also a Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Certified instructor and a Suicide Prevention Trainer for the district. With these additional training and certifications, I am excited to assist our students and families in being the best version of themselves.
Mrs. Callahan has been a part of the New Prairie Community since the 2021-2022 school year, brining a background woking with a wide range of individuals, including those with intellectual disabilities and incarcerated adults.
Mrs. Callahan has been a part of the New Prairie Community since the 2021-2022 school year, brining a background woking with a wide range of individuals, including those with intellectual disabilities and incarcerated adults.
Mrs. Callahan has spent time traveling throughout the USA and Canada, providing training to hospital staff, department of corrections staff, law enforcement personnel, and families in nonviolent crisis intervention.
Mrs. Callahan has spent time traveling throughout the USA and Canada, providing training to hospital staff, department of corrections staff, law enforcement personnel, and families in nonviolent crisis intervention.
Click Here to access Mrs. Callahan's schedule.
What a School Social Worker Does!
Services to Students:
Counseling and Mental Health Support
Individual and group counseling to address social, emotional, and behavioral concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression, anger management, conflict resolution, social skills development).
Crisis intervention and prevention (e.g., suicide prevention, grief and loss, trauma).
Assessment of mental health concerns and providing referrals to community mental health agencies when needed.
Support for students experiencing difficulties like bullying, substance abuse, eating disorders, and family stress.
Academic and Behavioral Support
Developing intervention strategies to increase academic success.
Assisting with positive behavioral intervention strategies.
Addressing issues like chronic absenteeism and truancy.
Helping students understand and accept themselves and others.
Supporting students with special education needs and participating in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.
Conducting social and developmental histories for special education evaluations.
Advocacy
Advocating for students' educational needs and best interests.
Ensuring equitable access and culturally responsive services for all students.
Services to Parents and Families:
Family Support and Consultation
Working with parents to facilitate their support in their children's school adjustment.
Alleviating family stress that may impact a child's school functioning.
Assisting parents in understanding and accessing programs and resources available to students, especially those with special needs.
Providing referrals and linkages to community supports (e.g., parenting classes, food and clothing resources, child care assistance).
Conducting home visits to better understand a child's living situation and its impact on school.
Community Liaison and Resource Coordination
Obtaining and coordinating community resources to meet students' and families' needs.
Helping school districts receive adequate support from social and mental health agencies.
Advocating for new and improved community/school services.
Mobilizing school and community resources to enable children to learn effectively.
Policy and Program Development
Assisting in developing and implementing educational programs for students, including alternative programs for those with attendance concerns or involvement with the law.
Identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.
Providing consultation regarding school law and school policy, including federal mandates like IDEA and Section 504.
Contributing to school improvement planning and promoting a positive school climate and safety.
Services to School Personnel:
Consultation and Training:
Providing staff with essential information to better understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting a student's performance and behavior.
Assessing students with mental health concerns and providing insights to teachers.
Developing and delivering staff in-service training programs on topics like behavior management, mental health, child abuse and neglect, and crisis intervention.
Assisting teachers with behavior management strategies.
Collaboration:
Working as part of multidisciplinary teams (teachers, administrators, other support staff) to help students succeed.
Providing direct support to staff.
Consulting with teachers and administrators on student needs and school policies.
Services to the School and Community:
Community Liaison and Resource Coordination:
Obtaining and coordinating community resources to meet students' and families' needs.
Helping school districts receive adequate support from social and mental health agencies.
Advocating for new and improved community/school services.
Mobilizing school and community resources to enable children to learn effectively.
Policy and Program Development:
Assisting in developing and implementing educational programs for students, including alternative programs for those with attendance concerns or involvement with the law.
Identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.
Providing consultation regarding school law and school policy, including federal mandates like IDEA and Section 504.
Contributing to school improvement planning and promoting a positive school climate and safety.
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