Student Support

• Say Something App Reporting System (SS-ARS) - Report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies 24/7 through the website, app, or by phone. A crisis center reviews and sends all submissions to law enforcement and/or school administration for intervention.
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255
• Optum - 24-hour Emotional Support Help Line for those experiencing anxiety or stress around COVID-19 - 866-342-6892
• Partners Crisis Line - mental health referrals-multiple languages 1-888-235-HOPE (4673). 
• DayMark Mobile Engagement - Mental Health Crisis 24/7 - 1-866-275-9552 
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline - 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517) 
• National Domestic Violence Hotline - 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22

School social workers employed by Union County Public Schools serve as liaisons between school, home and community. We consult with classroom teachers, school counselors, attendance personnel and school administrators to help eliminate barriers and to promote academic success for all students. We conduct home visits in order to gather pertinent information and to foster strong relationships between students, families and school personnel. Finally, in order to further assist students and families, we often collaborate with community agencies to access appropriate services not traditionally offered by the school system. 

Functions

School social workers support students in their academic success:

• Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Improve attendance
• Build self-esteem
• Resolve conflicts without violence
• Strengthen interpersonal and intrapersonal skills
• Improve communication skills
• Remain in school and graduate

School social workers support families to:

• Participate more fully in their children's education, through parent conferences and school visits
• Strengthen parenting skills
• Access school and community resources
• Develop realistic expectations and ways of caring for their children which are age and developmentally appropriate
• Seek solutions to barriers that inhibit familial involvement
• Identify and meet their children's social and emotional needs
• Monitor their children's homework and attendance
• Promote trust and understanding to build partnerships among school, home and community

School social workers assist educators to:

• Have a better understanding how factors such as family, culture, socioeconomic status, and physical and mental health can affect students' performance
• Discover new resources
• Respond to crisis situations
• Identify and report child abuse, neglect and dependency
• Obtain community resources to meet the needs of students
• Work with parents effectively

UCPS offers workshops to help parents with resources and tools to navigate tough situations. All parents are invited and encouraged these sessions.