School Social Workers

Athens County Children Services currently has two School Social Workers. There is one school social worker who serves Trimble Elementary School, and one school social worker who serves both Amesville Elementary and Coolville Elementary Schools.

"It gives kids a chance to get the help and support that some kids may never have if it weren't for School Social Workers."

- Parent

Our school social workers seek to strengthen families and promote positive school relationships to enhance student school success. This is accomplished by supporting students, families, and teachers by increasing access to community resources, skill building, providing crisis intervention, improving communication between school and community, and providing opportunities for children.

"It is wonderful to have someone be a go-between" between home and school."

- Teacher

ACCS School Social Workers support students by:

  • Teaching life skills and other evidence-based prevention programs in classrooms
  • Facilitating Lunch Bunch groups tp help children develop social and problem-solving skills
  • Providing a safe space for students to come and discuss problems
  • Helping them to be successful academically, socially, and behaviorally.
  • Building resiliency factors so they are less likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors

ACCS School Social Workers support parents by:

  • Providing home and school-based services
  • Helping them decrease stress by meeting basic needs
  • Coordinating parenting classes and strengthening their parenting skills
  • Providing transportation to appointments
  • Organizing family events such as Back to School parties, roller skating events, and ice skating events

ACCS School Social Workers collaborate with a huge number of community organizations, including Tri-County Mental Health, Bridgebuilders, Health Recovery Services, local food pantries, Department of Jobs and Family Services, AmeriCorps, Appalachian Peace and Justice Network, Tri-County Community Action, OU College of Medicine, Rural Action, Glouster Police Force, Athens-Meigs ESC, Big Brother Big Sisters, Kids on Campus, OU Speech and Hearing Clinic, WIC, My Sister's Place, Tri-County Sexual Abuse Prevention Program, and local churches.