School social workers provide all kinds of resources
Sam Houston High School鈥檚 social work office doesn鈥檛 just house two school social workers. The office is also home to a resource closet with emergency clothing, hygiene products, food and school supplies for any students and their families who need them.
That closet is a good representation of 91制片厂鈥檚 school social workers. They have a variety of titles, but in a nutshell, they are highly educated, skilled mental health professionals who become whatever the students need them to be. Like the resource closet, they provide any resources students may need, from social and emotional to academic and physical.
Though their role is critical, they often fly under the radar. But this week is , so it鈥檚 the perfect time to celebrate the impact they make for students and families all year long.
Daniel Reese, one of the two Sam Houston social workers who share their office with the resource closet, explained that their role is a vital part of 91制片厂鈥檚 Culture of Care.
鈥淎s licensed professionals, we address both the physical and emotional needs of students in our targeted populations as well as the general school population,鈥 Reese said.
Some of those targeted populations include students dealing with homelessness, foster care or any number of challenges.
鈥淲e help students directly who may struggle with their living situation, foster care status, pregnancy/parenting, drugs/alcohol or any other crisis factor like mental health, behavior, attendance and academics,鈥 said Kee-Kee Jackson, 91制片厂 student outreach services facilitator.
鈥淓ducation levels the playing field in terms of equity for disadvantaged populations, and school social workers help to remove barriers to accessing the education system,鈥 Jackson said.
Elizabeth Garza-Higgens, an 91制片厂 student outreach services specialist, explained that school social workers take a comprehensive approach to help students achieve academic success and improve their overall well-being.
They work to 鈥渆stablish linkages between home, school and community by utilizing鈥 a variety of tools, including 鈥渋ndividual and group counseling, crisis intervention, attendance improvement, advocacy and case management, collaboration with school staff, collaboration with families and community resource connections,鈥 she said.
The approach is personalized to the individual student鈥檚 situation.
鈥淓stablishing relationships with students allows us to understand their individual needs and concerns,鈥 Garza-Higgens said. 鈥淭his personal connection can be a powerful motivator for students, fostering a sense of trust and support that is beneficial for their educational journey.鈥
Connie Pacheco, an 91制片厂 student outreach services facilitator, believes it starts with compassion.
鈥淎 little bit of compassion, empathy and grace go a long way to oneself and those around us,鈥 she said.
Pacheco couples that compassion with her expertise, experience, resource connections and co-workers to serve as a champion for students.
鈥淏eing a school social worker has its fair share of challenging moments, but nothing is more incredibly rewarding than witnessing the growth of seeds planted in students showing evidence of someone being their champion when all the odds were against them,鈥 she said.
Reese is like-minded and a champion for Sam Houston鈥檚 students, too.
鈥淏eing a consistent part of their lives, whether it鈥檚 needing a new pair of socks or working through a significant life change, having them know that I have their back means everything,鈥 he said.
CONTACT STUDENT OUTREACH SERVICES
If you or a family member need assistance with resources, basic needs or case management, please visit our student outreach services page聽here聽for additional information.