Skip to main content
District
  1. Departments
  2. Student Services
  3. School Social Workers

School Social Workers

Removing Barriers to Education

Mission Statement:

School Social Workers help improve student's chances for success in school and life!

Links

  • Community

  • Child and Family Support

     

    What is the School-Based Child & Family Support Team (CFST) Initiative?

     

    • It’s goal is to eliminate barriers and reduce risk factors that may keep children from being successful.
    • It is a statewide pilot program developed through the leadership of the Office of the Governor
    • The 2005 Appropriations Act provides legislative authority and funding for this school- based initiative

    What does a Child & Family Support Team Do? (CFST)

    A CFST is comprised of a full-time school social worker and full-time registered nurse at the designated school site. Their primary responsibilities are:

    • Identify and assess unmet physical, social, legal, emotional and developmental factors that affect academic performance
    • Help families develop teams of family and community members who are committed to the child’s success
    • Facilitate Child & Family Team Meetings
    • Provide student and family support services at school and at home

    What are the goals of the Child and Family Support Team? 

    • Support and build upon the strengths, assets and preferences for each child and family
    • Include parents as partners in the care and education of their children
    • Improve the lives of children so they will achieve academic success and remain in their own homes
    • Coordinate services with community agencies

    The Referral Process 

    • Referrals can be made by anyone concerned about a child who attends a school with a Child and Family Support Team
    • Students and Families can refer themselves
    • Upon referral, the CFS Team with discuss concerns with the family and an assessment will be completed to determine what services will be needed to best promote success.

    What is a Child and Family Plan?

    It is a coordinated service plan developed with the family that lists what is needed, what is expected, and who will be responsible for what.

    • It may exist along with other student plans such as the...
    • Individual Education Plan (IEP)
    • Behavior Improvement Plan (BIP)
    • Individual Health Plan (IHP)
    • Other community agency plans

    The Child & Family Support Team may include any of the following. 

    • Students & Families
    • Family Support Systems (Relatives, friends, faith community, etc.)
    • School Administration, Teachers or other staff
    • Mental Health Agencies
    • Caldwell County Department of Social Services (DSS)
    • Caldwell County Public Health
    • Department of Juvenile Justice
    • Local physicians or other medical professionals

     Who are the Child and Family Support Team Members at your school?

    Gamewell Elementary
    Kelly Matthews- Social Worker
    Michele Gibbs- School Nurse

    Gamewell Middle School
    Alexis Holt- Social Worker
    Angela Proffit- School Nurse

    West Caldwell High School
    Ashley McKinney- Social Worker
    Hayley Penley- School Nurse

    Whitnel Elementary
    Kim Jones- Social Worker
    Margaret Sides- School Nurse

    CFST- Duke Evaluation Center Website

  • Kids around the world

     

    Parents, Teachers, Professionals & Citizens,

    If you suspect or have witnessed child abuse or neglect, contact your local DSS immediately. It is the law (N.C.G.S 7B-301). Do not hesitate to report, our children need you to look out for their well being. 

    Caldwell County Department of Social Services
    2345 Morganton Boulevard, S. W., Suite A
    Lenoir, NC 28645
    Phone: (828) 426-8200
    Fax: (828) 426-8398

    Caldwell County DSS- Website

    NC DSS 

    More Information on Child Abuse and Neglect

    School Board Policy on Child Abuse and Neglect

    CHILD ABUSE – REPORTS AND INVESTIGATIONS

    Policy Code: 4240/7312

    The Caldwell County Board of Education supports all employees who in good faith make a report of suspected child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment. Any school employee who knows or has cause to suspect child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment is legally required to report the case of the child to the director of social services. The employee also shall immediately report the case to the supervisor. Any doubt about reporting a suspected situation shall be resolved in favor of reporting, and the report shall be made immediately. A school employee is immune by statute from any civil and/or criminal liability when reporting in good faith suspected child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment. Failure on the part of any school employee to report may result in disciplinary action being brought against the employee by the school system or civil action under the law. The principal may establish a contact person in the school to act as a liaison with social services. All employees shall cooperate fully with the department of social services in its investigation of suspected child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment. Employees shall permit the child to be interviewed by social services on school campuses during school hours and shall provide social services with confidential information, so long as the disclosure does not violate state or federal law. Any confidential information disclosed by the department of social services to employees will remain confidential and will only be redisclosed for purposes directly connected with carrying out the responsibilities of the school system or the employee. Upon request and to the extent permitted by law, school system officials shall share with other agencies designated in G.S. 7B-3100(a) information that is relevant to (1) any assessment of a report of child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment by the department of social services; (2) the provision or arrangement of protective services in a child abuse, neglect, or dependency case by the department of social services; or (3) any case in which a petition is filed alleging that a juvenile is abused, neglected, dependent, undisciplined, or delinquent. School system officials and the designated agencies shall continue to share such information until the protective services case is closed by the department of social services or, if a petition is filed, until the juvenile is no longer subject to the jurisdiction of juvenile court. The Superintendent shall develop any necessary procedures for reporting suspected child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment; for sharing information with designated agencies; and for cooperating with investigations by the department of social services. School officials shall annually provide staff development opportunities related to identifying and reporting child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment. Legal References: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g; G.S. 7B-101, – 301, -302, -309, -3100; 8-53.4; 14-318.2; 115C-400, -402 Policy Code: 4240/7312 CALDWELL COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY MANUAL Page 2 of 2 Cross References: Professional and Staff Development (policy 1610/7800), Student Records (policy 4700) Adopted: October 8, 2012

  • McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

    Who Are Homeless Children and Youths?

    Homeless children and youths are individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nightime residence, including:

     

    • children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals;
    • children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
    • children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
    • migratory children who qualify as homeless because the children are living in circumstances described above.

    Educational Rights of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

    Children and youth experiencing homelessness have the right to

    • Go to school, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there.
    • Continue in the school they last attended before becoming homeless or the school they last attended, if that is the parent's or guardian's choice and is feasible.
    • Receive transportation to the school they last attended before their family became homeless or the school they last attended, if a parent or guardian requests such transportation.
    • Attend school and participate in school programs with children who are not homeless.
    • Enroll in school without giving a permanent address.
    • Enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of school and immunization records or any other documents required for enrollment.
    • Receive the same special programs and services, if needed, as provided to all other children served in these programs.
    • Receive transportation to school and to school programs comparable to that provided to children who are not homeless.

    These rights are established under Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The McKinney-Vento Act was originally authorized in 1987 and re-authorized in December 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). For more information on parent/youth rights please visit parent booklet. NCHEP website (hepnc)

     

     

    Additional NC Data can be found at:   (hepnc website, National Center for Homeless Education)

    For more information on the McKinney-Vento Act please contact:
    Carol Sturgis
    Homeless Liaison for Caldwell County Schools
    828-728-8407  Ext. 140169
    csturgis@caldwellschools.com

    Lisa Phillips
    State Coordinator
    336-315-7491
    NC Homeless Education Program
    https://hepnc.uncg.edu/

  • Students getting of school bus

     

    Attendance Policy and Information

    Attendance Policy 4400

    Parents Guide to Truancy.pdf

    Change viewing setting to 75% in Adobe to read this document

    The Facts About Chronic Absence

  • School

    SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS

    2023-2024

    Dan Beatty, MSW, LCSW

    dbeatty@caldwellschools.com

    Granite Falls Elementary 396-2222

    Granite Falls Middle 396-2341

    South Caldwell High (9th grade) 396-2188

    Brittany Branch, BSW

    bbranch@caldwellschools.com

    Hudson Middle 728-4281

    CASA 759-4640

    South Caldwell High 396-2188

    Jennifer Crowe, MSW

    jcrowe@caldwellschools.com

    Hibriten High School 758-7376

    Beth Hinshaw, MSW

    Lead School Social Worker 

    bhinshaw@caldwellschools.com

    South Caldwell High School 396-2188

    Kristen Reinhold, MSW, LCSW-A

    kreinhold@caldwellschools.com

    Collettsville School 754-6913

    Gamewell Middle School 754-6204

    Kim Jones, MSW, LCSW

    kjones@caldwellschools.com

    Whitnel Elementary 728-6423

    Baton Elementary 728-9531

    Darlene Berry, MSW, LCSW

    dberry@caldwellschools.com

    Gateway School 396-8373

    CECHS 759-4636

    Makayla Gilbert, MSW

    magilbert@caldwellschools.com

    Horizons Elementary 726-3855

    Nikki Lutton, MSW, LCSW

    nlutton@caldwellschools.com

    William Lenoir Middle School 726-3910

    Kings Creek 754-6039

    Caldwell Online (4-8 graders) 726-3855

    Thalia McFalls, BSW

    tmcfalls@caldwellschools.com

    Gamewell Elementary 758-1193

    Valmead Elementary 754-9612

    Crystal Kirby, BSW

    crkirby@caldwellschools.com

    Dudley Shoals Elementary 396-3457

    Sawmills Elementary 396-2610

    Ashley McKinney, MSW, LCSW

    amckinney@caldwellschools.com

    West Caldwell High 758-5583

    Caldwell Online (HS) 726-3855

    Stephanie Spencer, BSW

    sspencer@caldwellschools.com

    Davenport A+ Elementary 754-6941

    Lower Creek Elementary 754-4022

    Shelley Triplett, BSW, MSSL

    shtriplett@caldwellschools.com

    Happy Valley 754-3496

    Hudson Elementary 728-3712

    Facts for Families

    Back to School Social Work Home

     

  • Scratching head

    Head Lice Information

    Head lice are tiny insects that can get on people's scalp. Once there, they reproduce quickly. They lay eggs and cause severe itching of the scalp. Head lice do not spread disease. They do not live on animals. It does not matter if the hair is long or short, dirty or clean. Children and adults of any age and race can get head lice.

    Policy and research from the Harvard School of Epidemiology, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses all state there is no value to excluding children from school for nits only. Children will only be sent home if live lice are seen.

    • Pollack, Richard J., Head Lice: Information and Frequently Asked Questions Identify Us website
    • American Academy of Pediatrics, Head Lice: Clinical Report, PEDIATRICS Vol. 110 No. 3 September 2002, pp. 638-643, NOTE: A Statement of Reaffirmation of this policy was published May 1, 2009, Retrieved from the WWW June 30, 2010 American Academy of Pediatrics website
    • National Association of School Nurses, Position Statement, Pediculosis in the School Community, (2004). Retrieved from the WWW June 30, 2010 at National Association of School Nurses website

    How You Can Get Lice

    • Lice do not jump or fly
    • People must have their heads close together so the lice can crawl (short distances only) from one head to another.
    • Lice may also be spread by sharing combs, hats, scarves, sweaters, coats, brushes and pillows.
    • Lice can crawl from clothing or personal items that are stored in one place such as piles of hats or coats at friends' homes, school or meeting places.
    • Lice & their eggs can live on upholstered chairs, carpet or car seats.

    What Lice And Their Eggs ("Nits") Look Like

    Lice are: 

    • Small insects that are about 1/8" to 1/10" long (about this (-) long).
    • They are grayish white with dark edges.
    • They have three legs on each side of their body.
    • They run quickly from light, so can be difficult to see.
    • On the head, lice can live for 28-30 days.
    • Lice need about 5 blood meals a day to live.
    • They die within 24-48 hours if they fall off the scalp.

    Nits are:

    • Lice eggs. They look like a sesame seed
    • Nits are attached by a glue-like substance to the hair, which makes them very hard to remove. To tell the difference, remember that dry skin or lint will brush off easily; nits will not come off easily.
    • Nits are laid at the end of a hair within ¼" of the scalp. The nit will move up the hair as the hair grows.
    • Nits hatch in 7-10 days.
    • Nits that are more than 1/2" from the scalp have hatched and are no longer alive.

    How To Check For Lice And Nits

    • Most people have had lice up to a month before they are discovered.
    • Watch for children scratching their head a lot.
    • Use a pencil to separate the hair into parts. Look through the hair carefully, especially at the back of the neck, top of the head and behind the ears for nits. Look for movement especially at the neck and behind the ears.

    Who to Treat

    • Check all family members for lice and nits
    • Treat only people who actually have live lice or nits. The treatment will not prevent people from getting lice.

    How to Treat

    Several different medicated shampoos can be purchased at the drugstore. You may wish to ask your doctor for a product that requires a prescription.

    • Read the directions on the shampoo carefully. Some will need to be put on dry hair. It is important to use the entire bottle.
    • The medicated shampoos kill live lice. It is not certain that any of them will kill nits.
    • A fine toothcomb (metal works best) must be used after the shampoo to help remove the nits.
    • Automatically repeat the treatment once in 7 - 10 days.

    Important:

    • Follow the product directions and the advice of your doctor.
    • It is very important not to use any treatment more often than suggested
    • Never use home remedies such as kerosene to treat lice. 

    Household Cleaning

    The following household procedures are necessary to prevent re-infestation and must be repeated with each treatment.

    • Clothing, linens, etc., that have been in contact with the head of the person with lice, should be washed in hot water for 20 minutes.
    • OR put items in a clothes dryer at high heat for at least 20 minutes.
    • Clothing which is not washable should be dry cleaned OR placed in a plastic bag and sealed for 10 days.
    • Stuffed animals should be sealed in a plastic bag for 10 days.
    • Soak combs and brushes using one of the following methods:
    • Solution of medicated shampoo (2 tablespoons to 1-cup water) for one (1) hour.
    • Heat a pan of water on the stove until just before the water starts to boil. Remove from heat and immediately place combs and brushes in heated water and leave for 5-10 minutes
    • Mattresses, pillows, upholstered furniture and carpets should be cleaned thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner. 

    Prevention

    • Please check your child's scalp often for nits and live lice
    • Instruct family members not to share combs, brushes, hats and other personal items
    • Children may come back to school after being treated for lice. Only nits that are within ¼" from the scalp must be removed

    Links to More Information about Lice ( See School Social Worker Staff Information accordion )

  • Caldwell County School Social Workers

    Attendance

    Child Abuse & Neglect

    Christmas Protocol

    Home Bound Forms (Non-EC)

    Lice

    McKinney-Vento Forms

    RTI (MTSS)

    School Social Work- Staff Information

    School Social Worker Evaluation Process

Who Are School Social Workers?

How Can School Social Workers Help?