Social Workers
The Ambridge Area School District has two school social workers available to support students and families. The social workers are available to share about local community resources with families in need. They often assist in situations that require the care and compassion of a mental health professional. Our social workers are grateful for the opportunity to work with families and connect them with supports that reach beyond the school setting.
Services
A major role of the school social workers is to monitor attendance. We work in close collaboration with the Beaver County Truancy Intervention Program (TIP) in order to combat truancy. One goal of our school social workers is to support students and their families as they deal with challenges that may result in multiple absences. The Ambridge school social workers attempt to address truancy concerns early with a preventative focus. The social workers schedule monthly meetings with the Beaver County Truancy program in order to continue regular communication with students and parents about attendance and prevent further unexcused absences. By implementing Truancy Elimination Plans (TEPS) with students and families, social workers are often able to help students and their families to identify barriers to attendance and address them without further consequence.
The main focus of our social workers is to provide social services as a related service to our students with IEPs. Each social worker has a caseload of students, which they work with in either the individual or group setting to promote social and emotional learning. Based on team decisions, the social workers also have students with 504s on their caseload. Different curriculum for social skills groups is administered based on individual student needs. With a focus on the obtaining and practicing of coping strategies, group sessions also often include practice with real-world scenarios. Our social workers want to help our students to manage emotions in safe and productive ways within the school setting and also in the larger community. Group and Individual social work services are added to IEPs based on the IEP team’s assessment of need.
Our district social workers help with a lot of problem-solving and assistance within the district. While the focus is often providing students with the related service of social work group and improving attendance, our social workers also help in other ways (connecting with local organizations, collaborating with other school social workers in the county, helping in crisis situations, assisting with grief and loss concerns, leading students in mediations, sponsoring clubs, consultation with staff, participating in SAP teams, etc.). Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for help- if we don’t know the answer, we will work to connect you with someone that can help!
Resources
Dear Ambridge Area School District Students and Families,
We care about you and wish you all health and safety. We have compiled a list of resources to meet some of the challenges you may be facing. This is certainly not an exhaustive list of resources. If you are aware of additional agencies or organizations that you feel may be of help, please reach out to one of our school social workers so that we can add them to our list. In addition, the posting of this list is not an endorsement from the staff or school district. Our goal is merely to share opportunities and resources that may be of use within our community.
Resources for Parents During Covid-19
Responding to Change and Loss
National Alliance for Grieving Children
https://indd.adobe.com/view/924b5436-fca0-4a15-901a-9233134766e4
Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association
https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/sma14-4885.pdf
Keeping Your Distance to Stay Safe (The emotional impact of Social Distancing and how to cope)
American Psychological Association
https://www.apa.org/practice/programs/dmhi/research-information/social-distancing emotional impact of social distancing APA
Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource
National Association of School Psychologists
Creative Activities to Do With Kids At Home
Art With Heart
Internet
Internet Essentials by Comcast
Reduced rate internet
https://www.internetessentials.com/
Lifeline Discount Program by Verizon
Reduced rate internet
https://www.verizon.com/info/low-income-internet/
Mental Health/Crisis Resources
National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255
Beaver County Crisis 724-371-8060
Please call if you or someone you know are in danger of hurting themselves or others. Beaver County Crisis will send out a mobile unit if you cannot get to their facility in Beaver Falls, but you must call and be pre-screened first.
Pressley Ridge 724-843-5320
Offers a variety of mental health resources
General Resources
Beaver County System of Care http://www.bc-systemofcare.org
This website offers a variety of resources for all ages and needs
United Way dial 2-1-1
https://www.unitedway.org/our-impact/featured-programs/2-1-1#
A free and confidential service connecting families with resources
The Cornerstone of Beaver County 724-846-6400
Offers emergency housing and shelter assistance
Hunger/Food Assistance
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Offering drive-thru hours during this time to help families in need
https://www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/covid19/
Center for Hope 724-251-4899
Call or check the website to view dates for food distribution and other potential programs
Social Workers
Stephanie Haase
Social Worker
Ambridge Area Middle School
724-266-2833 x3320
shaase@ambridge.k12.pa.us
Kylee Ryan
Social Worker
Ambridge Area High School / Highland Elementary
AAHS: 724.266.2833 x2265
Highland: 724.266.2833 x7213
kylee.ryan@ambridge.k12.pa.us