LOUISIANA SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK LAURA RICHARD, LCSW, CSSWS

OVERVIEW OF LOUISIANA PROJECTS  Comprehensive Learning Supports  supporting education in all areas  Community partnerships  to place a social worker in every school  Truancy work at the elementary level**  TASC  DOE/LSU partnership**  Defining and measuring school social work

LOUISIANA ___ school districts public, RSD, charter ___ students 487 school social workers May 2010  Value added measure for teachers  Race to the Top grant application June 2010 DOE/LSU partnership formed

FIRST STEPS 1. Survey conducted 1.Statewide—78% response 2.Demographics of social workers 3.Practice parameters/roles identified 4.Student information

FIRST STEPS 2.School Social Work Effectiveness Evaluation Tool (SWEET) developed  Database format  Gathers information in 4 main areas of practice:  Supervision  Macro-practice  Evaluation/coodination  Micro-practice

FIRST STEPS 2.School Social Work Effectiveness Evaluation Tool (SWEET) developed Links social work services to ABCs Attendance Behavior Curriculum

FIRST STEPS 3. Focus groups conducted  Continued ownership of project by LA school social workers  Practitioner suggestions incorporated into tool

NEXT STEPS Further development of database tool Pilot of SWEET Inclusion of other forms of evaluation

TASC : TRUANCY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICE CENTERS LSU SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK/ OFFICE OF SOCIAL SERVICE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, 2 ND NATIONAL RESEARCH TO PRACTICE SUMMIT: THE CHANGING ROLES OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE JUNE 27, 2011 JUDITH RHODES, PHD State of Louisiana Truancy Intervention Initiative: Intensive Case Management Program for Elementary School Children and Their Families © LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development9

An early warning sign for potential problems: Delinquent activity Suspension and expulsion Substance abuse Teen pregnancy School Disengagement Low self-esteem Social isolation School dropout Why Truancy? ©2008, LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development 10

An early warning sign for potential problems: Delinquent activity Suspension and expulsion Substance abuse Teen pregnancy School Disengagement Low self-esteem Social isolation School dropout Why Truancy? ©2008, LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development 11

Critical Components of Truancy Programs 1.Family Involvement 2.Comprehensive Approach 3.Incentives and Sanctions 4.Supportive Context 5.Program Evaluation 6.Collaboration 7.Best Practices Improve Truancy Programming Truancy Toolkit: ojjdp.ncjrs.org.ojjdp.ncjrs.org ©2008, LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development12

What is TASC? TASC provides early identification, assessment, and services to truant children in K through 5 th grade TASC is research-based, outcome-oriented, data-driven TASC operate through local advisory boards TASC hold parents accountable through the FINS process TASC receive a combination of state and federal funds The TASC evaluation is legislatively mandated TASC began with 2 pilot projects in 1999 and now has 13 sites in 20 parishes ©2011, LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development 13

Bossier Webster Union Lincoln Jackson Beauregard Calcasieu Jefferson Davis Vermilion Acadia St. Martin St. Mary Iberia St. Helena Tangipahoa Washington St. Tammany EBR * Livingston Jefferson * TASC programs in 20 parishes *Elementary and Pilot Middle Program: EBR, Jefferson © LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development14

The TASC Process A school submits a truancy referral along with a behavior checklist to the TASC office after the 5 th unexcused absence If a child is determined to be low-risk for continued truancy, a letter is sent home to inform the guardian of attendance laws, and the child is monitored for any more unexcused absences. If a child is determined to be at-risk, then a conference is scheduled with the child and the family. TASC assesses the strengths and needs of the family and educates, informs and motivates parents to comply with attendance laws. TASC and the family decide on a tailored “service plan” aimed at improving the child’s school participation. TASC School Truancy Upon receiving the referral a TASC caseworker reviews all the information on the child to determine whether the child is “low” or “at” risk for continued truancy. TASC works with the child and family to ensure they are getting the help they need to improve the child’s school participation. TASC continues to monitor attendance and grades throughout the school year High -Risk Children Low-Risk Children

TASC Functions Tools Low Risk High RiskVery High Risk Screen & Monitor Assess, Plan Motivate & Monitor Evaluate, Intervene Re-assess & monitor Low Risk Informal Family Conference Monitor Formal FINS Petition Noncompliant Screen Compliant Assessment Process Brief Structured Services Clinical psychiatric and psychological instruments and Interventions Tools Interviews, Conference Academic record reviews Risk I & II IFSPA Monitoring protocols At-Risk Population Tools TASC Referral Form School records Monitoring protocols Formal FINS Hearing Reassess & Adapt Intervention Intensive Intervention Mandatory Conference Evaluate Monitor Compliant Successful Completion Compliant Risk I Monitoring protocols © 2006, Office of Social Service Research & Development, LSU 7 Monitor Successful Completion Successful Completion

TASC Publications © LSU School of Social Work, Office of Social Service Research & Development17 Thomas, J. M., Lemieux, C. M., Rhodes, J. L. F., Vlosky, D. A. (2011, In Press). Early truancy intervention: Results of an evaluation using a regression discontinuity design. Children and Youth Services Review. Rhodes, J.L.F., Thomas, J.M., Lemieux, C. M., Cain, D., & Guin, C. C. (2010) Truancy Assessment and Service Centers (TASC): Engaging Elementary school children and their families. School Social Work Journal, 35(1),

Contact info Judith Rhodes, PhD Assistant Professor of Research, Director of TASC Research LSU School of Social Work/OSSRD Truancy Assessment & Service Centers (TASC) 311 Huey P Long Field House Baton Rouge, LA 70803