Social Worker at The Connect Academy – Addison, Illinois

Mission: The mission of our program is to provide our students with a high quality of education that offers instruction in both academic and social/emotional realms. The purpose of the academy is to provide students with social/emotional/behavioral issues a state-of-the-art therapeutic day program. Through hands-on instructional experiences, as well as a therapeutic approach in art, music, and movement, the program is designated to meet all of the needs of this diverse student population.

Job Summary: The counselor/social worker provides direct clinical support to students through individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and case management. They collaborate closely with teachers, families, and a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized treatment plans that support students’ social-emotional growth, mental health, and academic success. By fostering trust and resilience, the counselor or social worker helps students build coping skills, improve interpersonal relationships, and navigate challenges both in and out of the classroom within a trauma-informed, therapeutic environment.

Essential functions of the job may include but are not limited to the following:

• Advise and counsel students on academic, educational, social, and emotional challenges.
• Provide individual and/or small group counseling services to help students access their education.
• Instruct social skills to small groups of students and offer workshops/seminars for parents on social/emotional skills for students.
• Create student materials, such as visuals and social stories, to support student success and growth.
• Provide consultation and in-service training to school personnel on topics relating to student’s social, emotional and behavioral needs
• Maintain communication with parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant parties regarding student progress and needs.
• Provide feedback and recommend actions based on students' academic and educational needs.
• Consult and collaborate with behavioral health specialists on developing and implementing student support plans.
• Participate and lead the Student Support Team to identify students needing targeted or intensive services and strategize on student issues.
• Facilitate team meetings to discuss student progress and intervention strategies.
• Assist students and parents in understanding school policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with school policies and therapeutic standards.
• Provide counseling for social and emotional concerns and refer students to behavioral health specialists as needed.
• Coordinate crisis intervention efforts and collaborate with external agencies when necessary.
• Actively participate in team meetings regarding students, providing feedback on strategies to support success in the learning environment.
• Other duties, as assigned.