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Introduced Version House Bill 4381 History

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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
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H. B. 4381

 

         (By Delegates R. Smith, Eldridge, L. Phillips,

         Sponaugle, Pasdon, Cooper, Canterbury, Sumner,

         Arvon, Staggers and Frich)

 

         [Introduced January 31, 2014; referred to the

         Committee on Education then Finance.]

 

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-5-18f, relating to establishing a four year pilot program to have social workers in public schools, from prekindergarten through the elementary school; requiring a minimum of one social worker per county; defining a term; requiring rule-making; and requiring annual and final reports.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-5-18f, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 5. COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

§18-5-18f. Social worker pilot programs; reports.

    (a) County boards shall, by July 1, 2014, establish four year social worker pilot programs for all children in prekindergarten though elementary school.

    (b) For purposes of this section, "social worker" means a nonteaching school employee who, at a minimum:

    (1) Possesses a license in social work with the West Virginia Board of Social Work;

    (2) Has a minimum of five years experience working with children and families; and

    (3) Has experience conducting home visits, providing parent education, crisis intervention and advocacy and support services, with school based social work experience being preferred.

    (c) Abuse and neglect, poor nutrition and health care, behavior problems, homelessness, poor academic performance, lack of parent evolvement and substance abuse are areas of concern facing public education. Teachers and support staff are called upon to address these issues to the detriment of their educational responsibilities. Having a trained social worker available to students, staff and parents is beneficial in the following ways:

    (1) Permit problems to be addressed by professionals trained to deal with those issues and guide teachers and staff on child protective laws;

    (2) Unburden teachers and support staff so they can focus on performing their educational responsibilities to the students;

    (3) The social worker’s role will be to work with the guidance counselor with a team approach. The social worker would not only work with the child at the school but conduct home visits as necessary to address parent issues, provide parenting education, address social and emotional issues, address physical and mental health issues and advocate for the family linking them to necessary community resources; and

    (4) Assist in ensuring an atmosphere in the classroom where learning can be achieved to ensure the child’s success in school and life.

    (d) Pilot programs implemented by the county boards shall provide for a minimum of one social worker for one Title 1, prekindergarten through elementary school, in each county. If more than one Title 1 elementary school exists in the county that qualifies, the Title 1 school with the lowest test scores should be given preference. This will ensure the social worker is placed in a high poverty school where students are most in need. Addressing issues of concern in a child’s early educational experience can prevent future problems from occurring.

    (e) The state board with the advice of the state superintendent shall establish and prescribe guidelines and criteria relating to the establishment and operation of the social worker pilot programs.

    (f) Each county board shall submit an annual report on the effectiveness of the social worker pilot programs to the state board no later than June 15 of each year, beginning in 2015. The state board shall compile these individual reports and submit its own annual report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability before September 1 of each year, beginning in 2015.

    (g) The state board shall submit a final report on the social worker pilot program, including findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation or rule changes necessary to effectuate the recommendations, to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability no later than September 1, 2018.



    NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to establish a four year pilot program to have social workers in public schools, from prekindergarten through the elementary school. The bill requires a minimum of one social worker per county. The bill defines “social worker.” The bill requires rule-making. The bill requires annual and final reports.


    This section is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.

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