School social workers in the USA: Using collaboration to maximize service delivery and utilizing evidence based practices for social skills building

Abstract

Abstract: In the USA, school social workers play a vital role nurturing a child’s social-emotional development in all grade levels. School social workers collaborate with teachers, administrators and parents to provide optimal support for students to remain in school. This paper focuses primarily on how social workers could implement evidence-based social skills programs that maximize the potential of school children’s success and engagement in school. When parents and teachers are involved in these interventions, students are more likely to generalize the skills they have learned to a wide range of settings. Future implications indicate that more research should be conducted regarding how school social workers could continue to work effectively with school administrators and parents to achieve positive outcomes for students.