Class Descriptions

School Social Work Interventions

SW628

Credits:	3
Prerequisites:	None

Pathway Associations

Community Change
Global
Interpersonal Practice
Mgmt & Leadership
Policy & Political
Program Evaluation
Older Adults
Children & Families	Elective (Host)

Course Description

This course presents advanced knowledge and skills essential to providing effective school social work interventions. Students will learn to identify, select and apply evidence-based prevention and intervention methods for use with individuals, groups, families, school personnel, and communities to enhance student learning, development, and school success. Student learning will include practice skills that advance social justice and educational access, trauma informed practice models, positive behavior supports for school wide programs and individuals, crisis prevention, planning, and intervention, behavior intervention planning; mediation, conflict resolution, and collaborative problem-solving methods. Specific interventions to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emotional Impairments; and other disabilities covered under the Individuals with Disability Education Act will be incorporated. Ways to promote family engagement and collaboration will be explored/ Skills to enhance collaboration and consultation between teachers, families, and other school personnel will be addressed. School social worker intervention methodologies will include ways to promote human rights and educational access, fostering school climates that are inviting, supportive, and inclusive of diversity. Students will acquire the skills needed to effectively practice as a school social worker to enhance student learnings and achievement.
Content in this course includes multi tiered practice methodologies that promote socio-emotional and academic success. Inter-disciplinary approaches designed to strengthen individuals, groups, and families within larger social contexts such as the school and community will be presented. Methods that increase student and family access to education and educational resources will be explored. School wide interventions such as the implementation of positive behavioral supports, restorative practices, family engagement, inter-group dialogue, positive conflict resolution skills, and coordination and collaboration with youth serving agencies in the community will be discussed. Effective classroom wide, small group, and individual interventions will be practiced.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
● Determine empirically supported, culturally relevant, evidence-based prevention and intervention methods effective for use with individuals, groups, families, school personnel, and communities to enhance student learning, development, and school success.
● Develop functional behavior assessment and behavior intervention plans.
● Apply principles of social justice to school-based practice by selecting interventions that promote social justice and access to education.
● Apply proven tools and methodologies to provide mental health support and interventions in school settings.
● Explain skills to facilitate and coordinate student and family access to medical, health, mental health, social services, and other community resource and to promote collaboration among school personnel and other community agencies.
● Assess factors that promote a positive school climate and a culture of belonging among students, families, and school personnel.
● Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and services available to students, families, and schools.

Design

This course will use a variety of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, PowerPoint presentations, group exercises, case material, role plays videos, guest presenters, and seminar techniques. The class format is based on the understanding that students are prepared and active learners. Reading the assigned materials prior to the class session is a prerequisite to getting the most out of each class and successfully meeting the course objectives.

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminate injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self-knowledge and self-awareness to facilitate PODS learning.