HELPING KIDS THROUGH LIFE
In 2022, United Way was approached by two school districts expressing the need for additional school social workers. They had seen an increase in the need for services since the COVID-19 pandemic began and felt this could make a major difference in the lives of their students.
Through their collaboration, United Way was able to provide Education Services Specialists to both Cranberry Area School District and Oil City Area School District. Currently, there are full-time specialists in four districts including; Cranberry, Oil City, Titusville, and Valley Grove. These positions are building relationships with school administrators, students, and families.
Since the implementation of the program, the Education Services Specialists have initiated group and individual counseling sessions, delivered social and emotional lessons, provided crisis intervention, and conducted overall guidance meetings. The specialists are required to be licensed social workers which also permits them to follow up with parents and handle situations that surpass the scope of in-school services.
In 2023, the Education Services Specialists engaged in a total of 4,338 interactions with students. Among these, 664 interactions occurred more than once, and 279 involved weekly meetings with the specialists.
