School Social Workers provide school-based mental health and attendance services to support students’ academic success, social-emotional well-being, and consistent school attendance. A primary responsibility of the School Social Worker is providing mental health counseling through individual and group services. School Social Workers also provide attendance intervention by identifying and addressing barriers that may prevent students from attending school consistently. They work collaboratively with students, families, school staff, and community partners to connect families with appropriate resources and services and to help students successfully engage in school.

Each SSW is assigned to a variety of schools to offer an array of services to address the needs of all students.  Services include, but not limited to:

• Establish connection to school and community resources

• Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

• Multidisciplinary Consultations

• Short term individual/group counseling

• Agency Referrals

• Attendance Support

• Implementation of District Programs and Initiatives

• Child Abuse Awareness, Prevention and Reporting

• Crisis Intervention and Response Services

• Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Social work services are available at every school to support students and families. To connect with your school social worker, please contact your school counselor for the social worker’s contact information.

DCPS Social Worker Supervisors

Katrina Taylor  
Director of School Behavior Health  
Email Katrina Taylor 

Laura Chiarello
Social Worker Supervisor                     
Email Laura Chiarello

Social Workers Point of Contact

Jazmine Jerome
Email Jazmine Jermone

• Springfield

• JWJ

• Ribault

• Westside

Brianna Pemberton
Email Brianna Pemberton

• Beaches

• Arlington

• Englewood

• Sandalwood