Teachers Forced to Fill Role of School Social Workers (MI)

August 25, 2010

It’s not enough for teachers to simply teach these days. Cuts to Medicaid and school budgets are taking a toll on the number of school social workers. As a result, teachers ar e being called upon to provide social work services for their students.

National Association of Social Workers-Michigan Chapter Executive Director Maxine Thome says the added responsibility comes at a time when the economy is causing more stress within families.

"Teachers are having to take on the role that school social workers once did, but they’re not trained to do that. And it’s taking teachers away from doing what they need to do, which is really educate and teach."

Funding for social workers typically comes through Medicaid payments to assist special education students. Thome says in many districts, fewer Medicaid dollars combined with budget problems trickle down and affect the most vulnerable students.

"Many social workers, although it’s not in their job description, do serve general ed populations as well as special ed students, so all those kids are without services. Therefore, teachers are having to deal with more mental health and family issues."

In addition to losing school social workers, Thome says families are less able to get help from community mental health centers because of cuts to Medicaid. She hopes legislators can find ways to generate revenue and designate funding to at least maintain mental health services.