Social Work

The mission of the Morgan County Charter School System Social Work Program is to provide services to students, families, and schools in order to alleviate barriers to academic success. School Social Workers utilize specialized knowledge and resources to provide services that aid in improving outcomes in student achievement.

What is a School Social Worker?

A School Social Worker has, at minimum, a Master's Degree in Social Work and certification issued through the Georgia Department of Education. Kala Porter, a Licensed Master Social Worker, serves our district as liaison between school, home and community. Mrs. Porter is trained in family dynamics, child development, systems theory, and clinical knowledge. 

What does a School Social Worker do?

A School Social Worker's 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 manifest as behavior problems, academic failure, underachievement, and substance abuse. The School Social Worker provides crisis intervention, referrals to community agencies, participation in the student support team process, program development, home visits, and involvement with community agencies and boards. Additionally, the School Social Worker also enforces the Georgia Compulsory School Attendance Law.

What types of situations might a School Social Worker handle?

• Parent/School conflict
• Attendance concerns
• Threats of violence
• Suicidal threats
• Domestic violence
• Pregnancy
• Abuse (emotional, physical and sexual)
• Academic oncerns
• 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 a 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 interagency 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, LMSW, 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