Social workers are involved with families needing school and
community support in areas such as counseling,social services,
and health care. Most often they are contacted initially by the
special education teacher, counnselor, or nurse who has observed
child or family problems that extend beyond the educational
parameters of the school
(e.g. evidence of child abuse; concems about immunizations; needs of students living in foster homes)
Social workers can be members of prereferral teams,assuring
coordination between school and community services when
increased family supports will positively affect the progress
of the student.