> > > >

COVID-19 Resources for School Social Workers

The opening of the 2020-2021 school year is different from previous school years due to COVID-19. School social workers will need to be skillful with the flexibility to provide services to students, parents, and staff in-person or remotely. The following resources from NASW and the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) provide additional supports as you prepare for the 2020-2021 school year.

Opening Schools Safely in the COVID-19 Era

COVID-19 Resources for School Social Workers

NASW Practice Alert, May 2020
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, school social workers are essential staff and continue to play a vital role in ensuring that students continue to receive much-needed mental health, education and other services despite school disruptions from the pandemic.

Starting School During the COVID-19 Pandemic

APA
This report is intended to complement a number of outstanding existing reports compiled by respected government, university, and association sources on how children can return safely to school during the coronavirus pandemic.

Additional Resources

Reopening Plan Types

School Districts' Reopening Plans: A Snapshot

After the coronavirus forced a mass closing of K-12 school buildings in the spring of 2020, district leaders had to decide how to provide instruction for 2020-21. From July to September, Education Week tracked the first-day instructional plans for over 900 of the nation’s 13,000 public school districts.

Resources for Special Populations

McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youths program - National Center for Homeless Education
Child Abuse and Neglect Red Flags for Mandated Reporters Providing Online Services - Ariel Landrum, LMFT
COVID-19 Adapted Books Bundle for Special Education | Distance Learning - Teachers Pay Teachers
School is Different Adapted Book for Special Education| Distance Learning - Teachers Pay Teachers
Protecting Children from Harm in the Context of Distance Learning – SWHelper

Social and Developmental History Form
The forms schools utilize may vary. This one is from Adams Wells Special Services Cooperative in Indiana.

Alice’s Kids: This organization identifies children with specific needs and anonymously pays for these items to help them fit in with their peers and feel better about themselves.

Webinars

Providing School Mental Health Supports Online - Loyola University School Mental Health Advanced Practice Program
Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News - Child Mind Institute
Continuing Education Opportunities - Social Work Online CE Institute

Back to school with school social workers

School Social Worker Toolkit

Use the tools in this online toolkit to educate the public and media about the importance of school social workers.

Visit the toolkit

coronavirus molecule, round with soft spikes

COVID-19 Resources

Social workers can help curb the spread of the disease and reduce people's anxiety.

Get coronavirus resources

To keep students, parents and schools connected, social workers can facilitate:

School-wide/class town hall meetings
Parent workshops
Guest speakers (eg., local athletes and heroes)
Professional development
Peer mediation
Mentorship programs
Broaden students' exposure to diverse cultures
Social groups
Community partnerships with local businesses, universities and cultural institutions