ERIC Number: EJ874629
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Jan
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1532-8759
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Available Date: N/A
How School Social Workers Integrate Service Opportunities into Multiple Elements of Practice
Leyba, Erin
Children & Schools, v32 n1 p27-49 Jan 2010
This article reports the results from a research study regarding how school social workers extend opportunities for students to volunteer, serve others, or contribute to their communities and how social workers engaged students in service activities within their roles. The results are one part of the findings of a large research study on the role of youth development in strengths-based school social work. Results indicate that school social workers refer students to existing service opportunities; facilitate service projects and clubs; and create an array of individualized opportunities for students to help peers, younger students, adults, or the community. Examples are provided. Social workers observed that students who participated in service developed more protective and promotive factors such as self-esteem, friendships, and confidence. Students also gained familiarity with the social worker and felt more comfortable going to him or her for help with crises. The findings suggest that integrating youth development principles into school social work practice is a powerful application of the strengths perspective and an important way to build resiliency. Youth development activities such as service can also be conceptualized as tiered interventions within a response to intervention and positive behavioral interventions and supports system.
Descriptors: School Social Workers, Social Work, Student Volunteers, Service Learning, Individual Development, Self Esteem, Friendship, Hidden Curriculum, Familiarity, Social Support Groups
National Association of Social Workers (NASW). 750 First Street NE Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-227-3590; e-mail: press@naswdc.org; Web site: http://www.naswpress.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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