Meet our School Social Worker

Wendy Cornejo | School Social Worker | wendy.cornejo@apsva.us

Barrett Office: 703-228-6286 | Cell Phone: 571-365-5731

What do school social workers do?

Identifying and Implementing Solutions: School social workers play a crucial role in identifying and implementing solutions to social, emotional, and learning problems that impact students’ academic performance. They achieve this by leveraging the resources of the home, the school, and the community. Their responsibilities encompass a variety of tasks aimed at supporting the overall well-being and academic success of students.

Facilitating Communication and Understanding: One of the essential functions of school social workers is to facilitate understanding between the home and the school environment. They achieve this by visiting students’ homes when special concerns affect their academic progress. By bridging the gap between home and school, social workers help create a more supportive and harmonious environment for students to thrive.

Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration: School social workers serve as integral members of multidisciplinary teams within the school setting. These teams work together to develop intervention plans for students who are facing challenges. These challenges may include academic, social, or emotional issues. In some cases, social workers provide short-term individual or group counseling services to address these concerns effectively.

Addressing School Attendance and Child Protective Services: Another key role of school social workers is to assist parents, school staff, and students when attendance issues arise. They also act as a critical link between the school and Child Protective Services when child safety is a concern. This involves not only identifying and reporting cases but also coordinating efforts to ensure the child’s well-being.

System-Wide Functions: In addition to their individual school assignments, school social workers also take on system-wide responsibilities. Social workers also contribute by conducting social history updates for special education purposes, ensuring that all students receive the support they need to succeed in the educational system.

Referrals and Community Resource Coordination: School social workers play a pivotal role in making referrals on behalf of students and their families to community resources. They maintain strong working relationships with agencies such as the Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT). Effective coordination and follow-up services with these agencies are vital to ensure students receive the necessary support outside of the school environment.

To view APS brochure on FAPT Click Here.