North Carolina Public Schools - School Social Work Update

North Carolina Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/30/2024 09:35 AM EDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

 

NCDPI Bulletin Header

 

    SSW Logo NC   NC Healthy Schools Logo

 

Thank You

Thank You, Social Workers!

The power and unity of the school social work profession in this state have been on full display in the last few weeks, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.  I would like to say thank you to the dozens of school social workers who have given their time and professional expertise to our colleagues/communities in WNC.  It does not go unnoticed that there are challenges when lending school social workers in a state that is already well under the recommended ratios.  I have been reminded of the strength and spirit of this profession while consulting with you all to work through these challenges to support our school communities in WNC. 

As trained mental health professionals, school social workers are equipped to support staff, students, and school communities through this traumatic experience.  The compassion and generosity that has been shown while welcoming students back has been beautiful to witness and I could not be more proud of the school social workers in North Carolina.   

Sincerely,

Pachovia

pachovia.lovett@dpi.nc.gov

 

 

National Homeless Youth Awareness Month

November was first declared as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month in 2007. Since then, November has been a time to acknowledge those children and families experiencing homelessness. As many as 2.5 million youth per year experience homelessness. Along with losing their home, community, friends, and routines as well as their sense of stability and safety, many homeless youth are also victims of trauma. While trying to survive on the streets, youth are exposed to countless dangers, with an increased likelihood of substance abuse, early parenthood, impulsivity, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and a vulnerability to being trafficked.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of helpful resources for parents and caregivers, children and teens, mental health providers, child welfare workers, juvenile justice professionals, and policymakers.

 

YOUTH HOMELESSNESS, OUTREACH, PREVENTION, AND EDUCATION (HOPE) MONTH

Youth HOPE Month main logo

 

View the awareness toolkit

November has been recognized as National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM) since 2001, following the landmark White House Conference on Exploited and Runaway Children. For more than two decades, this public awareness campaign, led by the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) with support from the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), has engaged hundreds of partner organizations, Youth Ambassadors, individuals, and companies to shine a light on the experiences of youth who have run away and experienced homelessness. As the experiences of youth in crisis have changed, it was clear the need to rebrand the awareness campaign to more accurately reflect the broader issues impacting youth.
November is now recognized as Youth Homelessness, Outreach, Prevention, and Education (HOPE) Month.

 

NCHEP Our NC Homeless Education Program always has resources and updates.

 

Additional Resources:

 

------

In 2023, North Carolina had just over 32,700 students experiencing homelessness (NCHE).  As we continue to navigate disaster recovery in our state and work with the increased number of displaced students and families, we remain an advocate for this very vulnerable population.  

 

 

Temporary Suspension of Immunization and School Health Assessment Requirements due to Hurricane Helene

The purpose of this memo is to notify public, private and religious school principals of extensions made to the 2024 annual immunization compliance and reporting deadlines due to Executive Order 319.  

All North Carolina public, private, and religious schools are required annually to report on the immunization status of all students in kindergarten, seventh grade, and twelfth grade (G.S. 130A-155(c)).  

Families are strongly encouraged to obtain required immunizations for their children as early as possible. However, due to Executive Order 319, an extension has been authorized for compliance and reporting, as outlined in this State Health Director's Memo. The time period from the first day of attendance through October 31st, 2024, will not count toward the 30-day grace period for students to comply with immunization requirements. The 30-day grace period will start November 1st, 2024, and the exclusion date is December 1st, 2024.

The deadline for schools to submit their annual report has been extended until January 15th, 2025. Please note, these reports should reflect student compliance status on the new deadline date. 

 

 

Legislative Updates

Legislative Update

View the K-12 Education Office of Government and Community Affairs Update from Friday, October 25, 2024. 

View here.

 

SB 743 - The Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 - Part II. | Bill Summary | Committee Report

  • Compensation to public schools - $65M (non-recurring funds)
    • Public School Facilities - $50M for repair and renovation not covered by insurance or 
      federal aid
    • Technology - $5M for replacement of school technology
    • School Nutrition - $5M to repair or replace food nutrition equipment, food, and supplies
    • Mental Health - $5M for students, student families, and school staff
  • Allows an additional 20 days to be deemed completed upon approval by the Superintendent.
  • Allows charter school students displaced by Hurricane Helene to retain their seat for the 2025-26 school year.

 

 

Strengthening School Connectedness to Increase Student Success

TheEdResearch for Action Overview Series summarizes the research on key topics to provide K-12 education decision makers and advocates with an evidence base to ground discussions about how to best serve students. Authors – leading experts from across the field of education research – are charged with highlighting key findings from research that provide concrete, strategic insight on persistent challenges sourced from district and state leaders.

School connectedness has a powerful influence on students’ academic success, well-being, and long-term outcomes. When students feel valued, supported by teachers and peers, and engaged in school activities, they show higher attendance, academic performance, and better mental health. However, many students—particularly those from marginalized communities—report a lack of meaningful relationships and connection at school. This brief explores the factors that foster school connectedness, such as teacher-student relationships, supportive disciplinary policies, and extracurricular engagement. It offers evidence-based strategies for schools to build connectedness, from integrating culturally inclusive curricula to promoting student-led activities.

Breaking Down the Issue

  • Across all grade levels, students who feel more connected to school have higher attendance rates, higher academic outcomes, and higher graduation and post-secondary success rates.
  • Positive school connectedness has been consistently linked to various positive health outcomes, including lower levels of substance use, better mental health, and reduced violence.
  • A significant number of students, particularly those from marginalized communities and ninth graders, report a lack of supportive adult relationships and meaningful engagement at school

Evidence-based Practices

  • Successful efforts to build school connectedness begin with assessment, which enables staff to establish a baseline, identify areas for improvement, and monitor progress.
  • Students feel more connected to school when teachers use explicit strategies to show that they care about them, know them as individuals, and are willing to respond to their distinct needs.
  • Disciplinary policies directly affect student engagement – and students who see their teachers take action against bullying feel a strong connection to their schools.
  • For many students, engagement in school develops through extracurriculars – and schools that offer students opportunities to mentor, tutor, or self-govern see stronger connectedness across the community.
  • Embracing cultural diversity in schools through inclusive curricula and family involvement builds a school environment where all members feel valued, respected, and connected.

Practices to Avoid

  • School connectedness can’t be mandated or coerced, and creating new organizational structures and responsibilities will not succeed without meaningful engagement from both teachers and students.
  • Only recognizing students who achieve in academics can make some students feel like lesser members of the community.
  • Addressing students’ disengagement in public tends to make them feel even less connected.

 

View the entire brief.

 

 

 

Supportive Reentry: A Conversation with Juvenile Justice Professionals

November 12, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Across the state, dedicated individuals and their organizations are seeking to support young adults who are, or have been, in the justice system, but are unsure how to connect to this system and best provide support.  Nonprofit professionals, local government leaders, faith-based service providers, workforce development boards, educators, and more are invited to join the ncIMPACT Initiative team in a conversation with North Carolina Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention staff. Learn about the services of the state-wide Juvenile Justice system, and how your community or organization can help support their goal of successful reentry for young adults as you engage with an expert panel.

 

 

 

NC DHHS Update 

Increasing Crisis Counseling Services for People Impacted by Hurricane Helene; NCDHHS Receives Federal Funding to Expand Hope4NC and Help People Rebuild and Recover

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced $2.9 million in federal funding to help increase crisis counseling services for people impacted by Hurricane Helene. The funding is part of the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program administered by the U. S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which is available to states to address behavioral health care needs and support relief for people in disaster-impacted communities.

 

 

 

How Schools Can Go the Extra Mile to Reduce Absenteeism
US Department of Education

If you think customer service and family engagement in schools are connected, you are right. When schools prioritize making families feel welcome, valued, and heard, they create an environment that fosters trust and partnership, much like good customer service does in a business. This approach builds stronger relationships, which are essential for student success.

The K12 Insight National Report on Customer Service in Schools Q4 2023: Insights highlights the impact of these positive interactions, showing that when families have better access to staff, can provide feedback, and feel their concerns are addressed, it not only improves their perception of the school but also leads to better student outcomes, such as higher enrollment, improved attendance, and better behavior.

 

_____

 

Attendance Works

Attendance always dips before and after the holidays. Act early to plan activities to minimize dips in attendance during holidays. Draft letters to be sent home before the Thanksgiving and winter holiday breaks.

Did you know that experiences during the pandemic appear to have shifted how many parents and caregivers think about regular school attendance? Following a nationwide survey, researchers with the Ad Council developed a toolkit with tips for communicating with families about attendance and chronic absence. Find the report and the toolkit, Back to the Classroom.

In an article published by the School Superintendents Association, Hedy Chang describes key takeaways from school districts' successful experiences tackling chronic absence, including creating a team, understanding the scale and concentration of chronic absence, unpacking underlying causes and more. 

Community schools are a promising approach to mitigate chronic absence in that they are designed to organize supports for students and families and to create conditions for learning and well-being. Support and funding for community schools has increased in recent years at both the federal and state level. Read the Learning Policy Institute’s new report, Reducing Chronic Absenteeism: Lessons from Community Schools.

 

 

Children’s Grief Awareness Day

Children’s Grief Awareness Day is held each year on the third Thursday in November. In 2024, it will be marked on November 21. The day reminds us that childhood bereavement is all too common.  Scholastic Grieving Students logo

In the United States, 1 in 12 children will lose a parent or sibling by the time they reach 18 years of age (CBEM). Almost all children—about 90%—will experience the death of a close family member or friend.

Learn about ways to support grieving students. 

 

 

 

The Center For Safer Schools

BTAM Training

The Center for Safer Schools announces dates for Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Training during the fall semester. Please see the dates below and visit the CFSS Training Calendar to sign up for both BTAM Training and BTAM Office Hours. 
Also, make sure your public school unit has reviewed and utilized the Best Practice Guidance Document provided in March 2024. In addition, please view the BTAM At a Glance document.
BTAM full-day training is an updated training based on Session Law 2023-78/House Bill 605 for PSUs to review legislative requirements and best practices in the implementation and development of BTAM teams.
Training will include Building a required BTAM implementation and monitoring team (as required in HB 605), Understanding Behavioral Threats, Risk Factors and Warning Signs, Assessment Protocols, Team Approach and Requirements, Intervention and Monitoring, Legal and Ethical Considerations, and Safety & Intervention Planning. The training will also discuss the implementation and monitoring of the fidelity of behavioral threat assessments.
A scenario-based approach will be discussed and shared to help understand the overall BTAM process and monitoring with fidelity. Each team will need to bring an existing behavioral threat assessment case on their PSU protocol (if they have one developed). We will review fidelity and protocol development and monitoring at this training.
If teams already have a BTAM protocol, they are encouraged to bring this with them to review. If PSUs do not have a current protocol, a best practice protocol example and example case will be provided. We will review fidelity and protocol development and monitoring at this training.
BTAM Office Hours are provided to PSUs to help provide technical assistance, consultation, and support. Each BTAM Office Hours session begins with an implementation strategy for BTAM, and then PSUs are able to ask implementation questions and receive consultation and support.
Click the links below to register for BTAM Training. For virtual trainings, note that you must attend Part 1 prior to Part 2. Also, Parts 1 and 2 must be attended completely to receive credit.
For more information on Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Training, send an email to CFSS Assistant Director-Behavioral Health Dr. Stephanie Ellis (Email: stephanie.ellis@dpi.nc.gov).  
Virtual Training
  • Thursday, Nov. 7 (Part 1); 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Register
  • Friday, Nov. 8 (Part 2); 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Register
  • Wednesday, Nov. 20 (Part 1); 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Register
  • Friday, Nov. 22 (Part 2); 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Register
  • Thursday, Dec. 5 (Part 1); 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Register
  • Friday, Dec. 6 (Part 2); 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Register
In-Person Training
BTAM Office Hours
  • Thursday, Oct. 31, 9-10:30 a.m.: Register
  • Thursday, Nov. 21, 1-2:30 p.m.: Register
  • Thursday, Dec. 12, 9-10:30 a.m.: Register

 

_____ 

"Protecting Our Students" Videos

The Protecting Our Students Act Course Guide and Videos are available and were sent to Superintendents, Safety Directors and Principals. This essential programming was created in alignment with N.C. General Statute 115C-105.57(2a) and Session Law 2023-128/House Bill 142. A course guide and videos were developed by the North Carolina Center for Safer Schools in collaboration with Capitol Broadcasting Company, aimed at equipping K-12 school employees with vital information regarding inappropriate behavior and adult sexual misconduct in school environments.  View the entire message. 

 

 

National School Psychology Week

During the week of November 11-15th, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and schools across the United States will mark National School Psychology Week (NSPW). This week celebrates the contributions of school psychologists and the important role they play in schools and communities. NSPW is an annual opportunity to recognize school psychologists' work to help children thrive in school, at home, and in life.

This year's theme, "Spark Discovery," recognizes the work that school psychologists do to help their communities seek out new ideas, effect change, and expand horizons for children and youth. Join us by taking this week to embark on a journey of discovery, explore how each person can celebrate the work of school psychologists, and learn how school psychologists help students, families, and communities every day. -NASP

 Social Media: Thank School Psychologists thumbnail

Special shout out and a BIG thank you to our DPI consultants supporting school psychologist, Megan Cardin and Lynn Makor.

 

 

 

NCCC

  • NC College Connect is a program that offers qualified students the opportunity for a simplified application process at select UNC System universities and their local North Carolina community college. Participating institutions include:
    • Elizabeth City State University
    • Fayetteville State University
    • University of North Carolina Asheville
    • University of North Carolina at Greensboro
    • University of North Carolina at Pembroke
    • Winston-Salem State University
    • North Carolina community colleges (all 58 colleges)
      • Students will be offered a simplified admissions process for their local community college
  • Public high school students, including charter school students, with a weighted GPA of 2.8 and above are offered a simplified application process at select UNC System universities and all North Carolina community colleges.
  • A student’s qualification for NC College Connect is determined based on their weighted GPA at the close of their junior year. Qualifying students must maintain a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above throughout their senior year, in addition to meeting the state’s basic graduation requirements as set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and meeting the UNC System minimum requirements.

 

 

Receiving this as a forward? 

Subscribe to this NCDPI School Social Work newsletter here.

Enter your email, then advance to the next screen, which will give you a list of subjects. Scroll down to find School Social Work. 

 

The links on this page will bring you to third party websites, owned and operated by independent parties, over which NCDPI has no control. Any link you make to or from these 3rd Party Websites will be at your own risk. Any use of these 3rd Party Websites and any information you provide will be subject to and governed by the terms of the 3rd Party Website, including those relating to confidentiality, data privacy, and security.

Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing, NCDPI is not in any way associated with the owner or operator of any of the 3rd Party Websites or responsible or liable for the goods and services offered by them or for anything in connection with such 3rd Party Websites. NCDPI does not endorse and makes no warranties, representations, or undertakings relating to the content of any 3rd Party Website.