We are back to our Remote Learning Series this week by taking a look at how the Social Work department has shifted to support students and families while at home.
Missy, Lead Social Worker in Elementary, shared the different ways the Social Workers have been working with our families and students. “Social work looks very different in a remote setting! At Giant Steps, Social Workers focus a lot on social skills and interacting with the community. While we engage in school remotely, we have focused on missing our friends and teachers and, for a while, only having access to our family members and limited community locations. We have had conversations and offered support to students who are struggling with missing the social aspects of their lives. Additionally, we have focused on leisure, play, and coping skills at home. We have worked to find ways to play with our students over Zoom and help them learn to meaningfully occupy their increased leisure time. We have changed what coping looks like since many of our students don’t have access to their favorite coping activities which may be at school.”
Check out this awesome video created by social workers teaching students about feelings!
“A final big shift in remote learning for the Social Work team is how we collaborate with families. We have had multiple phone calls and other conversations with families about how to best meet the needs of our students during this remote learning time. Many of our families have looked for support to obtain free and reduced lunches from their district, access respite services, and cope with the trauma that many of us have experienced during this pandemic. We have been working hard to connect with and support our families in this virtual based environment.”
Tricia, Lead Social Worker for Secondary/Transition, shared that in collaboration with P.R.E.P. (Prospective Resources for Education and Planning) Committee there will be virtual Adult Day Program sessions to learn about post-school opportunities for our students. These visits were done in person in the past, however Covid-19 has impacted our ability to gather in a larger group and tour multiple locations over a period of time. Starting in January, families will be provided a schedule of virtual visits to learn more about local adult programs, potentially go on a virtual tour, and have a chance to ask questions about the program. The tours will be recorded and can be shared with families if they are unable to attend at the specific time. Below are some of the programs that have agreed to participate:
More information will be provided in the coming weeks about this virtual opportunity!