Social Worker - Iowa Connections Academy

School Summary:

Iowa Connections Academy (IACA) is a tuition-free, full-time virtual public school for students in grades K-12 throughout Iowa. The school operates in partnership with the CAM Community School District in Anita, IA. IACA is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, an accrediting division of AdvancED.

Position Summary and Responsibilities:

Working from your home in Iowa or preferably our office in Anita, Iowa, the School Social Worker requirements include promoting  the academic mission by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning. The Social Worker significantly contributes to the development of a healthy, safe, and caring environment by advancing the understanding of the emotional and social development of children and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences on student successes and by implementing effective intervention strategies. Dropout prevention will be the Social Worker’s primary objective.

The school level Social Worker will be responsible for the successful completion of the following tasks:

• Connect students and families with available community resources to fully develop each person’s individual potential;


• Implement programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues;
  Work with school teams to identify and help families access school and community resources, in order to remove barriers to attendance and academic success;


• Participate in the development of crisis prevention and management plans for the school;


• Coordinate with teachers to help identify students who are “at risk” or “in crisis” in grades K-8;


• Act as the main point of contact for these students and families, communicating regularly with them;


• Report and refer critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards;


• Stay abreast of all state regulations relating to incident reporting and documentation;


• Support professional development activities for teachers and school staff members;


• Work as part of the IEP team to develop social goals and provide virtual social work services to help the student reach these goals;


• Collaborate closely with Director of Counseling and Leadership team (as appropriate)


• Will play an integral role in HolidayGift Drive or charitable giving and launching district-wide program such as Purposity


• Serves as lead contact for Senate Bill 401 initiatives related to sexual abuse and assault awareness


• Promote best practices/strategies for state testing assignments and support


• Promote or organize training for staff such a Mental Health First Aid and/or a comparable programs during (and throughout the school year)


• Serves as central liaison fo foster care programming and support MKV program data reporting


• Responsible for social work annual audit data and state reporting components
  Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work and appropriate Iowa licensing


• Experience and demonstrated interest in working with at-risk youth in an urban environment


• Experience with Special Education preferred


• Candidates should have knowledge and familiarity with specific Iowa resources and agencies that will assist in the healthy social, mental, and academic development of students and families


• Ability to work remotely, if necessary


• Ability to travel across Iowa to support families and work with agencies


• Willingness to travel on occasion for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel)


• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication