Case Management In the High School Setting

The Case Manager I interviewed…  Belinda-  Graduated from the UW-BA in American Ethnic Studies  Student Support Advocate at Everett High School  Prior to working at the high school, she was a case manager with a nonprofit working with at-risk youth for five years  Then in the same agency, for two years worked as a case manager for a college readiness program with at-risk youth

The Population Served  Demographics  Everett High School Students (Grades 9 th -12 th )  Must be high-needs (low-income, immigrants, unstable housing, etc.)  Types of services needed  Connection to more services outside of school  Mental health  Help to improve grades  Help to reduce discipline  Homelessness Services  211

On the Job  “Every student is different, every case is different.”  “Whatever the student’s needs are is what drives my efforts.”  Remember to not take it personal if a student does not take well to you. You are there to help them, but they are not forced to see you. If they come to you, it is because they want to.

Paperwork  Intakes are unofficial  She doesn’t use official intake packets  Just talks with the students and their families to get a feel for the situation  Immediate needs get taken care of right away!  Case notes  Not super strict about these yet, but it is important to not mix up student’s info  Case file- Summary of student’s grades, class schedule & attendance  Sticky notes for reminders… organized chaos  Documentation for the grant she is being paid for  Quarterly reports & end of the year reports

Software used  E-schools  Detail Schedule  Attendance  Contact Info  Student Demographics  LMS  Student Grades  Google Docs  Keeping everyone on the same page  Overview of notes

Confidentiality  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)  School Policies  Don’t use student names in the subject line of an  Don’t keep student info up on your computer screen when meeting with another student  If you are taking a student of campus, you need prior approval from the school  It is ok to speak with the student’s counselor or teachers  Parent consent  Mandated Reporter

Other info…  Belinda’s position is under a grant from the county  Her building supervisor is the principal at Everett High School  She also takes suggestions & info from Amy P. & Cynthia J. at the CRC  Coordinates with other agencies and resources for students  Cocoon house & other housing opportunities  Operation School Bell  Other counselors & teachers  Constantly being aware of services that are available for the student population

PROS  LOVE working with high school students  Freedom to reach out in the community  Advocate for the students & their families  School setting is great CONS  Not enough time to meet with every student  Lack of resources in the area