Social Service Support

Highline’s School Social Workers (SSW) are trained to support the social and emotional well-being of students and families. They offer brief counseling, resources, and helpful information, and work with students, parents, and school staff to solve challenges together. Whether it is connecting families to community services or helping students navigate school life, social workers bridge communication between home, school and community.

Their goal is to remove barriers to learning and help every student thrive. This includes offering support during tough time, helping prevent and respond to crises, and working with professionals and community organization. School social workers' advocacy ensures students and families feel heard, supported and empowered.

Social Work Supports

Students

Collaboration and referrals to an outside therapist, psychiatrist, pediatrician, and other community organizations that support the mental health and wellness of young people and their families.
Increasing academic success with strategic supports
In collaboration with school administrators, co-facilitate behavioral threat assessments.
Provide referral to community resources
Short-term emotionally supportive counseling (individual and groups).
Suicide screening and referral (e.g. SBIRT)

Family

Schools

Using student and family-center approach to identify and eliminate educational barriers

Educate how factors of family, culture, socio-economic status, and physical and mental health affect student learning.
Response to crisis postvention situations.
Support school staff with complex case consultations.
Facilitate School-Based Threat Assessments