School Psychologists and School Social Workers

School Psychologists and Social Workers are specially trained as mediators and problem-solvers to link mental health to learning and behavior.  They are consultants, crisis interventionists, and
direct service providers. They are educators, advisors, and trainers, but most importantly, they work to improve students’ educational opportunities and successes.

Are Psychological Services Available in Every School?

School Psychologists are assigned to every public school in Anne
Arundel County.

School Social Workers are assigned to specific schools that have programs for students with intensive needs.

 What Services do we provide?

Prevention

Both School Psychologists and School Social Workers provide presentations or workshops to help teachers, parents and community groups understand students’ emotional and learning needs. One goal is to focus attention on students’ developmental needs in order to provide suggestions on how to prevent problems from increasing.

Assessments

School Psychologists observe students in the school and interview and evaluate in an effort to measure

• Academic achievement/learning aptitudes;
• Self-help and social skills;
• Motor development, and
• Personality and emotional development.

School Social Workers meet with family members, students and staff to better understand and address the needs of students.

Program Evaluation

As experts in the fields of psychology and education, School Psychologists assist in evaluation the effectiveness of academic programs.  They also help to support efforts, such as “drop out” or suicide prevention programs or programs for children of divorced families.

Research

School Psychologists conduct research on the effectiveness of programs that are intended to improve students’ academic achievement.

Consultation

School Psychologists and School Social Workers talk with parents, teachers and school personnel about:

• Helping students learn and grow;
• Improving instructional methods of the learning environment of the classroom or home;
• Improving the working relationships among parents, teachers, and administrators, and;
• Accessing community resources, which are available to assist the student and family.

Direct Intervention

School Psychologists and School Social Workers work directly with a student and/or family to resolve problems.  They use a variety of intervention strategies such as counseling or behavior management.  They act as a liaison for families to community resources and are often the link between schools and private medical or psychological practitioners. School Psychologists and School Social Workers provide support groups for topics such as:

• Self-esteem;
• Parenting;
• Substance abuse problems;
• Classroom management, and;
• Homework skills.

Who Receives Services?

School Psychologists and School Social Workers provide services to all students, including those with special needs, from birth to the age of 21.

 Who Benefits from Psychological Services?

Students benefit when …. 

• We work with schools to develop academic programs that are designed specifically to challenge the student’s strengths and overcome weaknesses;
   
• We work with teachers and parents to create a positive atmosphere both at school and at home;
   
• We provide counseling to resolve personal, family or school issues, which interfere with academic progress;
   
• We assess a student’s cognitive and emotional strengths and weaknesses to determine an appropriate program to meet specific needs, and
   
• We meet with family members, students and staff to better understand and address the needs of students.

Parents receive . . .

Professional help concerning their children, including:

• Recommendations on helping their children benefit from educational opportunities;
• Strategies for effective parenting, and
• Support in learning to deal with their youngsters in different situations.

Teachers and Administrators Receive . . .

• Assistance in developing programs to meet school and student needs, and
• Help in identifying students who need special programs.