Exceptional Education
School Social Workers
TUSD school social workers are clinically licensed mental health professionals whose primary duties include the provision of counseling as a related service as indicated on student IEPs. Social workers are assigned to all middle and high schools and to elementary sites with a significant number of students requiring behavioral and emotional support and counseling services as indicated on their IEPs.
Social workers participate in all Exceptional Education related functions including Child Study meetings, classroom observations, manifestation meetings upon the request of the the team leader or administrator, and assist in the development of behavioral plans. These professionals maintain a balance between student and parental advocacy and departmental support. They are highly involved in self-contained classrooms, maintain contact with all relevant community agencies and support parents to collaborate and access these agency supports. School social workers are the linkage between schools, families and communities for students with disabilities. They participate in the process of identifying such students; obtaining relevant records from previous school settings and other related community providers; and assisting families to meet the basic needs of their students; moreover, they are knowledgable in all aspects of Exceptional Education.