School Based support worker (SBSW)
Catalyst is dedicated to finding solutions to make sure the students in our districts have access to quality mental health services. Additionally, Catalyst wants to relieve staff of dealing with overwhelming mental health issues and focus on what they do best...educating our future leaders!
We’re proud to offer a School Based Support Worker program. School based support workers truly bridge the gap between school counselors, who focus mostly on academic issues, and school based therapists, who see students for more intense mental health issues and provide mental health therapy.
A SBSW provides prevention and education groups, crisis interventions for all students, coping skills eduction, connections to community resources, goal setting, and helps to improve overall academic functioning by removing barriers to academic success.
Contact co-owners Lindsay Back and Christy Hughes if you are interested is starting this program at your building.
What is a school based social worker?
A quality, onsite school based social worker increases mental health awareness and access to services, which promotes the safety and well being of the district and the community at large. These licensed individuals work along side school staff and the mental health provider to make accessing care quicker. The school based social worker will be available to all students for mental health support as well as during crisis situations, paid for by the school district. They will be the first line mental health support to determine the need for more intensive services such as school based therapy services or other more intensive services (i.e. hospitalization).
Some of a school based social worker’s responsibilities include:
Crisis intervention to all students
Mental health awareness, support, and education to students, staff, and families
Referrals to community resources and agencies (housing, health care, clothing, insurance, etc.)
Home visits
Suicide prevention
Sign of Suicide Program (SOS)
Run mental health prevention groups for students
Developing achievement plans
Career or vocational assessment and planning
How is this different than a school based therapist?
This position works hand in hand with the Catalyst mental health therapist housed in the building. Working closely together ensures that there are less gaps in care and more students are able to access the supports they need.
A school based social worker and a school based mental health therapist are similar, but have a few key differences.
School Based Mental Health Therapist
Master’s level, licensed mental health professional (LSW, LISW, LPC, LPCC, MFT, IMFT)
Main focus is to provide mental health therapy to students and families
Free to school - paid through insurance
School Based Social Worker
Licensed mental health professional (LSW, LISW, LPC, LPCC, Licensed Psychologist, etc)
Accessible to ALL students
Does not provide mental health therapy
Paid by the district