School Social Work Services

What is a School Social Worker?
School social workers are the link between home, school, and community. As members of the educational team comprised of teachers, administrators, pupil services staff, and parents, school social workers promote and support students’ academic and social success. School social workers have a Masters of Social Work degree and hold certification from the Connecticut State Department of Education. They possess a high level of expertise in family dynamics, child development, systems theory and clinical knowledge.

What do School Social Workers Do?
Their main responsibilities are to provide assistance to students who are having difficulties in school due to attendance, economic, medical, emotional , and/or family issues.
School social workers help STUDENTS:

• Cope with stress and loss
• Understand themselves and others
• Improve interpersonal relationships
• Develop decision making skills

School social workers help PARENTS:

• Participate in their student’s education
• Understand & meet their child’s social & emotional   needs
• Understand programs available to students with special needs
• Utilize school & community resources effectively

School social workers help SCHOOLS:

• Understand factors (i.e. cultural, societal, economic, medical) that affect students’ abilities to be success in their educational program
• Utilize their resources in meeting the educational, social, & emotional needs of students
• Promote a safe school environment

Bethel School Social Workers:

• Laura Fry, Coordinator:  
  Bethel High School
  794-8600 ext. 424, fryl@bethel.k12.ct.us
• Lisa Breault
  STEP Program – Bethel High School
  794-8600  ext. 437, breault@bethel.k12.ct.us
• Theresa McGorty
  Bethel Middle School,
  794-8710, mcgortyt@bethel.k12.ct.us
• Heather Hufnagel,
  Berry, Rockwell, & Johnson Schools, Circle of Friends
  794-8679, hufnagelh@bethel.k12.ct.us