School Social Work Mission and Vision:

• Mission: We exist to further the social, emotional and academic growth of all students. We provide quality social work services to increase student mental, physical and emotional health in order to increase academic success.
• Vision: Every Child college or career ready; mentally, physically and emotionally secure.

Distance Learning Availabiliy: Please contact your Social Worker by text or phone to their Google Voice numbers and/or email:  

• Allen Edwards-Madding: 612.888.2523
  allen.edwards-madding@mpls.k12.mn.us
• Becky Wood: 612.314.9566; becky.wood@mpls.k12.mn.us
• Steven Borchardt: ;612.470.1929; steven.borchardt@mpls.k12.mn.us
• Sheri Harris, Lead: 612.405.8321; sheri.harris@mpls.k12.mn.us

Social workers at South are here to help students and families overcome challenges beyond the classroom.

• We empower students and families with information.
• We eliminate or alleviate barriers to achievement.
• Know someone who needs help? We accept referrals from everyone--students, family, teachers and staff.
• Students are assigned to social workers according to student last name, grade level, and in some cases, their program.

We address issues related to:

• Advocating for them when their families are in crisis.
• Guiding them to a variety of community resources. 
• Communicating, on their behalf, with school staff and community providers.
• Finding appropriate support groups.
• Support homeless and highly mobile students and families through implementation of rights outlined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. 
• Supporting Special Education students.
• Supporting pregnant and parenting students.
• Providing resources

We support students by:

• Basic needs of clothing, food, shelter.
• Social challenges.
• Emotional and behavioral issues.
• Mental health concerns.
• Attendance and truancy concerns.
• Crisis support.

We advise support groups:

• LGBTQA+ - Students, identifying or exploring identifies as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Allied+ youth.
• Healthy Choices - Students identified with concerns about substance use at school and a desire to explore better, healthier choices.
• CBITS - For students specifically identified by Social Worker.
• Silver Ribbon Campaign - Students, affected directly and indirectly by mental illness.

Resources:

• Mental Health Services
• Providers Help Lines
• Healthy Choices Presentations

Glossary:

• ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorder
• DCD - Developmental Coordination Disorder
• LS - Life Skills
• CBITS - Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools
• LGBTQA - Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Questioning Allies+