Duties
School Social Worker – Tri County Connections Academy
The School & Our Approach
TriCounty Connections Academy is a therapeutic day school for students with complex social-emotional and behavioral needs. Our model is clinical and educational, grounded in trauma-informed care and restorative practices. We are committed to treating the whole child by connecting school, family, and community systems.
Key Qualities We Seek
We seek a School Social Worker who is:
- Systemically-minded and Relational: Prioritizes strong relationships and understands that student well-being is inseparable from family and community.
- Trauma-informed and a Deep Listener: Approaches intervention with "What happened to them?" and is focused on system communication, not deficits.
- Committed to Mental Health and Resource Navigation: Provides direct, evidence-based mental health support and connects families to essential community resources.
- Calm and Consistent in Crisis: Maintains a regulated presence during de-escalation and safety planning.
- An Expert Connector: Excels at bridging home, school, and community systems for a cohesive wrap-around service plan.
Core Responsibilities
- Clinical Intervention: Provide evidence-based individual, group, and family counseling focused on emotional regulation and coping skills. Conduct social-emotional and Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), and participate in crisis response and safety planning.
- Systemic Consultation & Liaison: Serve as the primary liaison between the school, families, and community agencies. Lead reflective case consultations for staff and facilitate professional development in areas like trauma-informed care and restorative practices.
- Collaboration: Work interdependently with all team members, lead with humility, and communicate proactively with families, honoring their expertise.
- Practice: Approach all assessment and intervention through a trauma-informed lens. Implement restorative practices to prioritize repair and accountability over exclusionary discipline.
Required Qualifications
- Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with School Social Worker endorsement.
- Demonstrated commitment to trauma-informed, restorative, and relationship-based practices.
- Expertise in family systems theory, community resource navigation, and the development of Positive Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
- Willingness and physical ability to participate in a district-provided crisis management training program; team lift 100 lbs and push/pull 75lbs
Why This Role Matters
You will be the vital link to transform a student's trajectory through social work support, family advocacy, and systemic change. This is profoundly meaningful work focused on deep understanding and unwavering belief in the human capacity to heal.
Qualifications
Master's Degree in Social Work
ISBE PEL endorsed for Social Work
Salary/Benefits
$44781-$83307 TRS contribution paid in addition to base salary. Individual health insurance paid.