School Social Workers are the link between home, school, and the community. As members of the educational team, School Social Workers facilitate the educational, social, and emotional development of students by decreasing the impact of barriers to academic success.
Professional Qualifications for the state of Washington:
School Social Work Services may include:
School Social Workers help students to:
School Social Workers help educators by:
School Social Workers help families by:
School Social Workers help systems by:
Providing analysis, development, implementation, and evaluation of various school based programs:
Job titles that School Social Workers might have in the state of Washington besides School Social Worker:
Professional Qualifications for the state of Washington:
- Degree - Master's in Social Work (MSW)
- Completion of a 15-hour class on Professional Transition to Schools
- Educational Staff Associate certificate (can be obtained with the above 2 qualifications) OSPI ESA process
School Social Work Services may include:
- Assessment of student social/emotional, and mental health needs - individual and group interventions, counseling
- Preventive education and crisis intervention
- Classroom presentations that include a wide range of skill building
- Collaboration and consultation with community agencies
- Participate and facilitate school teams to assess and address student needs
School Social Workers help students to:
- Increase academic success with strategic interventions
- Improve interpersonal relationships and behaviors
- Cope with difficult/crisis situations
- Develop positive social skills
- Learn problem solving, conflict resolution, and decision making skills
School Social Workers help educators by:
- Identifying and eliminating educational barriers through the development and implementation of plans for success
- Provide ongoing emotional and behavioral support to students
- Communicate information and educate about how factors of family, culture, socio-economic status, physical
and mental health can affect student learning - Brokering, collaborating, and coordinating resources to meet students' needs
- Provide staff development trainings on a wide range of social, emotional, behavioral strategies and interventions
School Social Workers help families by:
- Provide resources for parenting support and education
- Information and referral to community agencies
- Consult with parents regarding childhood and educational issues to improve attendance, behavior, and academics
- Facilitating school/home/community communication
School Social Workers help systems by:
Providing analysis, development, implementation, and evaluation of various school based programs:
- Response to Intervention
- Positive Behavior Support
- Early Learning/At Risk Programs
- Compassionate Schools
- Restorative Justice
Job titles that School Social Workers might have in the state of Washington besides School Social Worker:
- Truancy Specialist
- Mental Health Specialist
- Mental Health Liaison
- Mental Health Case Manager
- Behavior Specialist
- Student Assistant Specialist
- Intervention/Alcohol and Drug Specialist
- Family Resource Specialist
- Family Advocate
- Counselor
- Community Resource Specialist
- Student Resource Specialist
Directory of all accredited master of social work educational programs in the United States
Council on Social Work Education
Directory of online social work programs in the United States for 2016
Affordable Colleges Online
Online U
MSW Programs in the state of Washington
Eastern Washington University
Seattle University
University of Washington
Walla Walla University
National Association Of Social Workers Standards for School Social Work Services
NASW Standards Document
NASW Certification as a School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS)
School Social Work Association of America
School Social Work National Model
Steps for becoming a School Social Worker in the state of Washington
Qualified applicants for an Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate can anticipate two levels of certification during their career, in these roles: School Counselor, Psychologist, Social Worker, Nurse, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Speech Language Pathologist or Audiologist. They can also apply for a substitute ESA certificate.
Initial ESA Certificate this is the first level regular certificate that the majority of applicants receive in the roles of School Nurse, School Occupational Therapist, School Physical Therapist, School Speech Language Pathologist or Audiologist, and School Social Worker.
Continuing ESA Certificate this is the advanced level regular certificate available in the roles of School Nurse, School Occupational Therapist, School Physical Therapist, School Speech Language Pathologist or Audiologist, and School Social Worker. Most applicants receive this certificate after holding an initial certificate and working in Washington in the role.
Other (Limited) ESA Certificates - these certificates are only available in the role of School Nurse, School Speech Language Pathologist or Audiologist, School Counselor, School Psychologist, and School Social Worker for employers who cannot find candidates with regular certificates and wish to hire an applicant that does not meet requirements for a regular certificate.
Professional Educators Standards Board Frequently Asked Questions about School Social Work ESA certification
As of July 2011, School Social Workers are now on the Initial/Continuing ESA track for certification. Prior to July 2011, School Social Workers were on the Residency/Professional ESA track for certification (similar to School Counselors and School Psychologists).
What changed after July 2011?
The schools/colleges that provided a School Social Work preparation program in Washington were deregulated. This means that programs preparing social workers will not need to meet all requirements of other approved educator programs in order to prepare social workers to work in a school-based setting. This related WAC change took effect following the PESB Board meeting in May, 2011.
What does this mean for candidates currently in a school social work program?
Candidates will now apply at the Educational Service District (ESD) office for their certificate. They will need to present evidence of their MSW and completion of the courses in school social work and school law.
What does this mean for candidates considering a degree emphasis in school social work?
Schools of social work may continue to offer a degree emphasis in school-based practice as a part of their MSW program. Candidates should discuss their desired emphasis with a faculty advisor. Upon completion of the MSW, the candidate would apply for initial certification as a school social worker at the ESD office.
What does this mean for licensed or certificated school social workers transferring from another state?
A school social worker with at least 3 years experience in the role and appropriate certificate, if certification was required, from a state outside of Washington may apply for a Washington certificate under the reciprocity agreement by presenting evidence of their MSW, and a background check.
What does this mean for a social worker (post MSW) interested in seeking an ESA in school social work?
After taking the required courses in school social work and school law, an MSW interested in practicing in schools may apply for an Initial Washington ESA certificate directly with an ESD office as described in the process above. Candidates may want to contact our organization for a referral of a mentor and other opportunities for support during both the exploration of school-based practice and for the transition to employment in a school.
What do I do if I have a dated Residency Certificate?
At time of renewal, apply directly to an Educational Service District office for an Initial or Continuing ESA Certificate.
What do I do if I have an undated Residency Certificate?
Once employed for the 3rd contract year the certificate will become “dated.” At time of renewal apply directed to an ESD office for an Initial or Continuing ESA Certificate.