ERIC Number: EJ962871
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Aug
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Meeting the Social and Behavioral Health Needs of Students: Rethinking the Relationship between Teachers and School Social Workers
Berzin, Stephanie Cosner; O'Brien, Kimberly H. McManama; Frey, Andy; Kelly, Michael S.; Alvarez, Michelle E.; Shaffer, Gary L.
Journal of School Health, v81 n8 p493-501 Aug 2011
Background: While school-based mental health professionals obviously must provide mental health services to students directly, the literature is increasingly identifying an empowerment role for these professionals, whereby they support teachers as primary service providers. The purpose of this study was to identify subtypes of school social workers within the context of collaborative practice, and to identify individual and contextual factors associated with these classifications as well as overall levels of collaboration. Methods: Latent class analysis, conducted using data collected as part of the National School Social Work Survey 2008 (N = 1639), was employed to examine underlying subtypes of school social work practitioners in relation to collaborative practices and to examine predictors of collaborative practice. Results: Four broad categories of school social workers were identified, including (1) noncollaborators, (2) system-level specialists, (3) consultants, and (4) well-balanced collaborators. These classes were associated with the number of schools served, grade level, education, and clinical licensure status; level of administrative responsibility was not associated with class membership. Conclusion: While school social workers varied in collaborative practices, opportunities exist to enhance their role in educating and supporting teachers to serve as primary providers to students with social, mental health, and behavioral needs. The implications for school-based mental health providers, teachers, administrators, policymakers, and researchers are discussed. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Health Services, Health Needs, Mental Health Workers, Mental Health Programs, Mental Health, School Social Workers, Social Work, Student Needs, Performance Factors, Counselor Teacher Cooperation, Predictor Variables, Partnerships in Education, Integrated Services, Counselor Characteristics, Caseworker Approach, National Surveys, Teacher Collaboration, Data Analysis, Incidence, Group Dynamics
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A