Social Work
School social workers are trained professionals that help students succeed by supporting their social, emotional, and behavioral needs at school. They work with students to build coping skills, manage challenges, and improve relationships. They also partner with teachers and families, provide counseling or small group support, and connect families to helpful resources. Their goal is to make sure students feel supported, safe, and ready to learn.
Our school social workers have Master's degrees in social work and are experienced mental health professionals. They are trained to utilize a strength-based perspective and are experts in navigating the systems that influence students and families.
If you would like to reach out to your child’s social worker, see their contact information below:
What are some of the specific services that School Social Workers provide?
School Social Workers play an important role in supporting students' academic, social, emotional, and behavioral success. As part of our services, we participate in special education evaluations and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings to help identify student needs and develop appropriate supports. Through collaboration with students, families, educators, and community partners, we address challenges within the home, school, and community that may impact a child's ability to learn and thrive. Our work also includes gathering social and developmental histories to provide a comprehensive understanding of each student's background and needs. Counseling services are available in individual, group, and family settings to help students develop coping skills, strengthen relationships, and overcome obstacles. In addition, we connect families with community resources and support services while assisting school teams in developing and implementing positive behavioral intervention strategies that foster student growth and success.
- Providing crisis intervention.
- Developing intervention strategies to increase academic success.
- Assisting with conflict resolution and anger management.
- Helping the child develop appropriate social interaction skills.
- Assisting the child in understanding and accepting self and others.
- Working with parents to facilitate their support in their children's school adjustment.
- Alleviating family stress to enable the child to function more effectively in school & community.
- Assisting parents to access programs available to students with special needs.
- Assisting parents in accessing and utilizing school and community resources.
- Providing staff with essential information to better understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting a student’s performance and behavior.
- Assessing students with mental health concerns.
- Developing staff in-service training programs.
- Assisting teachers with behavior management.
- Providing direct support to staff.
- Developing alternative programs for drop-outs, truants, delinquents, etc.
- Identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.
- Providing consultation regarding school law and school policy including IDEA and Section 504.
- Providing case management for students and families requiring multiple resources.
- Obtaining and coordinating community resources to meet students' needs.
- Helping school districts receive adequate support from social and mental health agencies.
- Advocating for new and improved community/school service to meet the needs of students and families.
- Helping the system respond effectively to each child's needs.
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- Providing crisis intervention.
- Developing intervention strategies to increase academic success.
- Assisting with conflict resolution and anger management.
- Helping the child develop appropriate social interaction skills.
- Assisting the child in understanding and accepting self and others.
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- Working with parents to facilitate their support in their children's school adjustment.
- Alleviating family stress to enable the child to function more effectively in school & community.
- Assisting parents to access programs available to students with special needs.
- Assisting parents in accessing and utilizing school and community resources.
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- Providing staff with essential information to better understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting a student’s performance and behavior.
- Assessing students with mental health concerns.
- Developing staff in-service training programs.
- Assisting teachers with behavior management.
- Providing direct support to staff.
-
- Developing alternative programs for drop-outs, truants, delinquents, etc.
- Identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.
- Providing consultation regarding school law and school policy including IDEA and Section 504.
- Providing case management for students and families requiring multiple resources.
-
- Obtaining and coordinating community resources to meet students' needs.
- Helping school districts receive adequate support from social and mental health agencies.
- Advocating for new and improved community/school service to meet the needs of students and families.
- Helping the system respond effectively to each child's needs.
Additional Resources:
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For specific counseling resources, you may want to consult your health insurance to obtain resources of providers within your network. Additionally, you may contact your child's social worker about specific resources. Below are a few local counseling resources.
Beacon Health Care and Ongoing Navigation
-Developed by Google in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative, creates a single entry point where parents-or anyone helping a child or family find services-can find out what state-funded and community-based services a youth may be eligible for and how to connect with them.
Click Here to Access the Portal
Leyden Family Services
10001 Grand Ave.
Franklin Park, IL 60131
847-451-0330
Click Here to Access the Leyden Family Services Website
Rosecrance Therapies- Chicago/Norwood Park
5440 N Cumberland Ave UNIT 165, Chicago, IL 60656
(312) 239-5200
Youth Outreach Services
5910 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60651
773-777-7112
Click Here to Access the Youth Outreach Services Website
Josselyn Center
405 Central Avenue
Northfield, IL 60093
847-441-5600
Click Here to Access the Josselyn Center Website
Metropolitan Youth Services
820 Davis Street, Ste. 450 Evanston, IL 60201 Skokie
5210 Main Street
Skokie, IL 60077
847-425-7400
Click Here to Access the Metropolitan Youth Services Website
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If you are experiencing a crisis and unsure what to do or the situation may involve someone who could be a danger to themselves or others, call 9-1-1 (emergency services) immediately.
Screening Assessment and Support Services (SASS)
The SASS initiative is a cooperative partnership between the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the Department of Human Services (DHS). The development of the tri-department SASS program created a single, statewide system to serve children experiencing a mental health crisis whose care will require public funding from one of the three agencies. This program features a single point of entry (Crisis And Referral Entry Service, CARES) for all children entering the system and ensures that children receive crisis services in the most appropriate setting.
If you are in need of SASS Services or experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact the CARES line at 1-800-345-9049.
Click Here to Access the SASS Services WebsiteRiveredge Hospital
Riveredge Hospital provides comprehensive mental health treatment services for children and adolescents.
8311 Roosevelt Rd, Forest Park, IL 60130
708-771-7000
Click Here to Access the Riveredge Hospital Website
Hartgrove Hospital
Hartgrove Hospital offers a wide range of options, including inpatient, outpatient, and specialty programs, to deliver personalized help for adults, adolescents, and children.
5730 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60644
773-413-1700
Click Here to Access the Hartgrove Hospital WebsiteCRISIS & SUPPORT HOTLINES:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
24/7 free and confidential support and crisis resources
Crisis Text Line – Text REACH to 741741
24/7 text message support for those in crisis
Not in crisis, but need someone to talk to?
Illinois Warm Line – 866-359-7953
Peer and family mental health support by phone, weekdays M-F
9AM –5PM
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Local Food Pantries
- Salvation Army
8354 W. Foster
Norridge, Il 60706
(708) 456-6220
Click Here to Access the Salvation Army Website
- New Hope Food Pantry
6125 West Foster Avenue
Chicago, IL 60630
773-775-1215
Click Here to Access the New Hope Website
Food Assistance Programs
Cash, SNAP (Food Stamps) & Medical Assistance:
Click Here to Access More Information
Local Department of Human Services Office
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DHS Family Community Resource Center in Cook County - Northern
Family Community Resource Center
8001 Lincoln Ave - 4th Floor
Skokie, IL 60077Phone: (847) 745-3200
Fax: (847) 745-3279You may also visit ABE.Illinois.gov or call the IDHS Help is Here toll-free line at 1-833-2-FIND-HELP.
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The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act allows schools and local agencies to remove barriers that otherwise might prevent children living in temporary housing from receiving quality educational services.
For more information on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, please contact the District Homeless Liaison listed below.
Mrs. Griffith & Ms. DiCristofano
4600 N Oak Park Ave, Harwood Heights,IL
Ph. 708-867-5822Click Here to Access the McKinney-Vento Information Sheet
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Social opportunities play a huge role in a child’s development because they help build the skills kids need to understand themselves and interact with the world around them.
First, they support social and emotional growth. When children interact with peers, they learn how to share, take turns, cooperate, and resolve conflicts. These experiences help them develop empathy—understanding how others feel—which is a key part of forming healthy relationships.
They also strengthen communication skills. Talking, listening, and even nonverbal cues (like facial expressions or body language) improve through regular interaction. Kids learn how to express their needs, ask for help, and engage in conversations more effectively.
Social opportunities are also important for confidence and self-esteem. When children successfully make friends or participate in group activities, they begin to feel more capable and valued. This builds a sense of belonging, which is especially important in school settings.
In addition, they support cognitive development. Through play and group activities, children are exposed to new ideas, perspectives, and problem-solving situations. This kind of interaction helps develop critical thinking and flexibility.
Finally, social experiences teach emotional regulation. Kids learn how to manage feelings like frustration, excitement, or disappointment in real-life situations—like losing a game or waiting their turn—which helps them build resilience over time.
- Harwood Heights Recreational Programs
Recreation Programs & Activities - Village of Harwood Heights
- Norridge Park District Program Guide
Norridge Park Recreation Center
- Special Needs- West Suburban Special Recreation Association
- Eisenhower Library Story Time Events
Storytime at Eisenhower Public Library
Local Playgrounds/Parks
- Union Ridge School Playground
- St. Rosalie's Kiddie Park - 6740 W. Montrose
- Norridge Park District- 4631 N. Overhill
- Norwood Park Playground- 5801 N. Natoma
- Oriole Park- 5430 N. Olcott
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