2016 -- S 2339

========

LC004197

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS

     Introduced By: Senators Satchell, Lombardi, Conley, Gallo, and Goldin

     Date Introduced: February 10, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. This act shall be entitled the "Rhode Island School Social Workers Quality

Assessment Act of 2016".

     SECTION 2. The general assembly adopts the following findings:

     (1) The Rhode Island general assembly finds school social workers an essential

component of the school's educational team with specific expertise in the domains of mental

health, social/emotional learning and social services.

     (2) School Social Workers are professionals who are employed by school districts to

enhance the academic mission by providing services that strengthen home/school/community

partnerships.

     (3) Their expertise is working with students and families from a family-strength,

empowerment model.

     (4) They bridge systems by locating and mobilizing community resources that may serve

a student and/or family facing challenges.

     (5) Research indicates that when families' basic needs are met, there is a higher likelihood

that the students' will succeed in school (G-14-3.3, Basic Education Plan, 2009, Rhode Island

Department of Education).

     (6) "Mental and social/emotional health issues directly impede students' abilities to learn.

Such issues include, but are not limited to, psychiatric disorders, domestic violence, alcohol and

drug abuse, child abuse and neglect, as well as various forms of bullying" (G-14-3.2, BEP).

     (7) The role of the school social worker continues to evolve as it confronts the ever-

changing complex needs of schools and the students they serve.

     (8) The scope of responsibilities and involvement of the practitioner is broad and may

vary not only from one district to another but also within each district.

     SECTION 3. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended

by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 73.1

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS QUALITY ASSESSMENT ACT OF 2016

     16-73.1-1. Compilation of data – School social worker duties and responsibilities. --

(a) Accumulated data is needed to identify and assess the workload, duties and responsibilities of

school social workers. The 2009 basic education plan drafted by the state department of

education:

     (1) Delegates to the local education agency to ultimate responsibility for the operation of

a system of education and support services that is reasonably designed and adequately resourced

to achieve compliance with all aspects of the basic education plan;

     (2) Requires that the local education agency provide a supportive and nurturing school

community; and

     (3) Provide adequate psychological, mental health and social services.

     (b) The state department of education shall develop a stand and measure which will

identify the number of school social workers in the state and the actual nature and scope of work

and services that they provide. Specifically, it shall solicit information concerning: prevention and

intervention services; compelling services assessments; consultation; parent and community

liaison; attempts to reduce violence; referrals and collaborative; promoting adherence to federal

mandatory, in which school activities and training. School department shall ascertain and forward

to the state department of education the following information:

     (i) Number of social assessments completed;

     (ii) Number of family contacts;

     (iii) Number of staff meetings attended;

     (iv) Number of community contacts;

     (v) Number of teacher consultation contacts;

     (vi) Number of function behavioral assessment's completed;

     (vii) Number of individual educational plans meetings attended;

     (viii) Number of individual counseling sessions; and

     (ix) Number of group counseling sessions.

LC004197 - Page 2 of 4

     (c) Every school worker shall complete this standard measure for one complete school

year.

     16-73.1-2. Report. -- The state department of education shall gather all the information

concerning the duties and responsibility of school social workers provided to it by local school

departments. It shall summarize the information in a report which shall be delivered to the

chairpersons of the house of representatives, health education and welfare committee and the

senate committee on education in January of 2018.

     SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC004197

========

LC004197 - Page 3 of 4

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS

***

     This act would create a process for the department of education collection and

organization of information concerning the workload and scope of the duties and responsibility

performed by school social workers.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC004197

========

LC004197 - Page 4 of 4