2017 -- H 5325

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS

     Introduced By: Representatives Kazarian, O'Brien, Messier, Amore, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: February 01, 2017

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     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 2017".

     SECTION 2. The general assembly adopts the following findings:

     (1) The Rhode Island general assembly finds school social workers are 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 employed by school districts to enhance the

academic mission by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships.

     (3) School social workers' expertise is working with students and families from a family-

strength, empowerment model.

     (4) School social workers 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 2017

     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 the 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) Provides adequate psychological, mental health and social services.

     (b) The state department of education shall develop a standard 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:

     (1) Prevention and intervention services;

     (2) Counsellor services assessments;

     (3) Consultation;

     (4) Parent and community liaison;

     (5) Attempts to reduce violence;

     (6) Referrals and collaboration; and

     (7) Promoting adherence to federal mandates, involvement in school activities and

training.

     (c) School departments shall ascertain and forward to the state department of education

the following information:

     (1) The number of social assessments completed;

     (2) The number of family contacts;

     (3) The number of staff meetings attended;

     (4) The number of community contacts;

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     (5) The number of teacher consultation contacts;

     (6) The number of functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) completed;

     (7) The number of individualized educational plan (IEP) meetings attended;

     (8) The number of individual counseling sessions; and

     (9) The number of group counseling sessions.

     (d) 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 responsibilities 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 2019.

     SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS

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

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

responsibilities performed by school social workers.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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