Social Work

The mission of the Morgan County Charter School System Social Work Program is to provide services to students, families and schools with the primary focus of removing barriers to academic success. The School Social Worker’s professional knowledge base is utilized to provide services that enhance the educational process for student achievement.

What Is A School Social Worker?

A School Social Worker has a Masters Degree or higher degree in Social Work and certification issued through the Georgia Department of Education. Pamela Benford, our current School Social Worker, is licensed by the State Board as a Licensed Master Social Worker. The School Social Worker works in the Special Student Services Department out of the Morgan County Board of Education office.

The School Social Worker is the liaison between school, home and community. The School Social Worker has a high level of expertise in family dynamics, child development, systems theory and clinical knowledge. There is one social worker for all the schools in Morgan County.

What Does The School Social Worker Do?

The main responsibilities are to provide help to students who are having difficulties in school due to attendance, economic, health, emotional, and/or family problems. These difficulties may include behavior problems, academic failure, underachievement, and substance abuse.

The School Social Worker also enforces the Georgia Compulsory School Attendance Law.

Additionally, the School Social Worker provides the following services: crisis intervention, referrals to community agencies, participation in the student support team process, program development, home visits, and involvement with community agencies and boards.

What Types of Situations Might the School Social Worker Handle?

Parent/School Conflict
Attendance Concerns
Threats of Violence
Suicidal Threats
Domestic Violence
Pregnancy
Abuse (Emotional, Physical and Sexual)
Academic Concerns
Child/Parent Conflict
Runaways/Juvenile Court Involvement
Abandoned Children
Health Concerns
Financial Needs /Homelessness
Hospital Homebound Services
Home School

What Are Some of the Activities that the School Social Worker Engages in to Help Improve these Situations?

Staff Consultations
Student Conferences
Parent Conferences (in person, by phone, mail)
Student Support Team (SST) meetings
Special Education Eligibility/Staffing
Group Work with Students and Parents
Consultations with Numerous Outside Agencies.
Home Visits
Development and Identification of Resources for Students
Assist Families in Crisis or Those with Emergency Needs.
Represent the School System on Community Councils and Inter-agency Groups
Advocate on Behalf of Children with Agencies and Community Resources
Filing Juvenile Complaints for Truancy Against Students
Filing for Warrants in Magistrate Court Against Parents for Truancy
Coordinate Hospital Homebound Services
Provide Home School Information
Assist with implementation of Mckinney-Vento guidelines for homeless children and families

Contact information:

Kala Porter, School Social Worker
Morgan County Board of Education
1065 East Avenue
Madison, GA 30650
706-752-4614 phone
706-752-4601 fax
kala.porter@morgan.k12.ga.us