Our programs exist to serve the needs of students most in need of assistance and to support positive learning experiences that provide opportunity and enable success.

School Social Workers serve as liaisons between the home, school and community. Working to promote students’ access to educational services, academic and personal success, SSWs provide direct services to students and their families.

School Social Workers are the ONLY school professionals that routinely make home visits an integral component of services they provide to children and families. Additionally, they advocate for and with parents to increase involvement and improve understanding of their child’s education.

Our School Social Workers collaborate with professionals in the educational system and community to develop and implement effective programming to meet the academic, behavioral and social needs of students.

Upon referral, our School Social Workers work diligently to provide students and families with access to basic needs such as clothing, food, financial assistance, mental health services, and medical services. Much of the work School Social Workers do is behind the scenes or confidential in nature and is always approached with the intent of recognizing the strengths and potential of the children and families served.

Social Workers can:

• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary team

•  Participate in crisis intervention and response

• Conduct home visits

• Facilitate conflict resolution

• Conduct group counseling

• Consult with teachers and counselors

• Dropout prevention

•  Coordinate school and community services

• Facilitate staff development on federal and state statutes

By law, students age 6-17 are required to attend school.  An Attendance Intervention Plan(AIP) must be completed by a school representative for students who have missed 3 consecutive or 5 unlawful days.  This AIP meeting is held with the student, parent/guardian, and school representatives. This is an intervention on the school level to address the issues that have prevented the student(s) from not attending school as required by law. 

• If a student between the age of 12 and 16, obtains two more unlawful absences after completing the AIP, they will be classified as a habitual truant and the AIP will be sent to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Students and families will then receive notification from DJJ and/or family court to answer for the absences.

• The parents or guardians of students under the age of 12 will be referred to the Department of Social Services for possible educational neglect.  

For more information, please contact your school attendance clerk. 

Berkeley County Attendance Policy - JBD - School Attendance, Compulsory Attendance Ages and School Absences