Social Workers Added To Combat Student Stress In Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, IL — Today’s youth face academic, social and emotional challenges that older people could never have even imagined.

Most survive these hurdles relatively intact, but some do not. Some take drugs, harm themselves or worse, even ending up hospitalized. They need extra help and support to function in school.

With that reality in mind, the District 202 Board of Education at its February 25, 2019 regular meeting approved hiring 20 new social workers for the 2019-20 school year.

The new social workers are part of a larger staffing package designed to bolster social, emotional and special education services to students.

“Unfortunately, the world today demands so much of our students and moves so fast,” said Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Mina Griffith.

“Many of our students struggle to cope with the pressures they face in and out of school, but they deserve the same chance to succeed in school as everyone else,” Griffith said. “That means we have to provide them more help and support,” she said.

“We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of hospitalizations for anxiety, depression, and related issues,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lane Abrell.

“I thank our Board of Education for their willingness to commit significant financial resources to help address the ever-increasing stress and strain on the social and emotional health of our youth,” he said.

Currently, District 202 has one social worker for every 495 students. The National Association of Social Workers recommends one social worker for every 250 students, and the National Association of School Psychologists suggests one social worker for every 400 students.

The NASW says the ratio could be as low as one social worker for every 50 students if the social worker is serving students with intensive needs.

In any case, with nearly 27,000 students coming from every socioeconomic background, District 202 needs more staff to help students do their best in school, added Tim Albores, the director for high school student services.

Professional guidelines identify 11 primary functions for school social workers. At current staffing levels, District 202 social workers may be able to perform about half of them, even under the best conditions, Albores said.

The new social workers can be divided among the district’s 30 schools based on individual building needs. The 20 new social workers will cost about $1.4 million in salary and benefits next year.

Submitted by District 202