School Social Work Interventions

This course develops advanced knowledge and skills for effective school social work practice. Students learn to identify, select, and apply evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies with individuals, groups, families, and school personnel to enhance student learning, development, and school success. Course content emphasizes practice skills advancing social justice and educational access, including trauma-informed models, positive behavioral supports, crisis prevention and response, behavior intervention planning, mediation, conflict resolution, and collaborative problem-solving. Students examine interventions supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emotional Impairments, and other IDEA disabilities, as well as strategies promoting family engagement and collaboration among teachers, families, and school personnel.

Students develop competencies for school social work practice through multi-tiered systems of support for socio-emotional and academic success, interdisciplinary approaches strengthening individuals, groups, and families within school and community contexts, and methods increasing student and family access to education and resources. Intervention methodologies focus on promoting human rights and educational equity while fostering welcoming, supportive, inclusive school climates. Schoolwide interventions examined include positive behavioral supports, restorative practices, family engagement strategies, intergroup dialogue, conflict resolution, and coordination with community agencies. Students practice classroom-wide, small-group, and individual interventions. SW 628 is one of two electives meeting School Social Worker Specialization requirements.