Mission:

The CCSD School Social Work department focuses on coordinating the efforts of schools, families, and communities toward helping students improve their social, emotional, and physical well-being to support academic achievement. 

Vision:

The vision of the CCSD School Social Work department is to foster healthy development for students and their families to function and be productive in every phase of life.

Contact Us

Please contact us for questions or more information:

FAQs

• What is a School Social Worker?

  School social workers are Cobb County School District employees who provide services to all students. They serve multiple schools within a cluster based on geographic area. The school social workers assist administration, counselors, and teachers in providing resources and support to identified students.

• Why does a school need a School Social Worker?

  School social workers provide vital resources to students and families by assessing needs and identifying community agencies and supportive services within the school system and community. School social workers often serve as a bridge between home, school and the community. School social workers utilize preventative measures such as home visits, facilitation of groups, coordination of community services and collaboration with school staff to improve student achievement.

• How do School Social Workers determine what students receive services?

  School social workers serve all students in Cobb County Schools. School social workers typically receive referrals from either a school counselor, teacher, administrator, or attendance clerk. Students are identified as in need of social work services based on various factors including attendance, academic needs, social/emotional issues, health concerns, or financial struggles impacting academic student success.

• How does a School Social Worker differ from a Department of Family and Children’s Services Social Worker (DFCS)?

  School social workers are directly employed by Cobb County School System. Every School Social Worker must hold a T5 certification (Basic Teacher Level) through the Professional Standards Commission and must have a master’s degree in Social Work. There are times when a school social worker will have communication with a DFCS social worker or case manager. This may occur if a student is in foster care or when a report of neglect or abuse has been made by the school.

• How is a School Social Worker involved in the truancy process?

  School social workers play an important role in reducing school dropouts and decreasing truancy rates. Through on-going monitoring of school attendance, school social workers identify students who may be in need of support. Once identified, the school social worker will assess the needs via phone calls, meetings with students, meetings with families and/or Truancy Intervention Panels. The goal of the assessment is to identify what is causing the lack of attendance and put support in place to improve attendance. The supportive services may include recommendations for case management with the school social worker, referrals to agencies for counseling services, providing mentors, and when necessary, a referral to Juvenile Court. If a referral to Juvenile Court is recommended by the Truancy Intervention Panel, the school social worker, along with the School Social Work Truancy Coordinator, will submit the necessary documentation to the Juvenile Court for follow up.

• Where can I find resources?

  Cobb County School Social Work Family Resources