Kindergarten and School Social Assistance During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hungary

In this paper, we have analyzed the results obtained in the third year of our longitudinal research (2018–2020) regarding the work of kindergarten and school social workers, research conducted in connection with the Hungarian Educational Research Association. The service provided by kindergarten and school social workers was made generally available in Hungary by a legislation change implemented in 2018. By the end of the school year 2018/2019, after initial difficulties, we noticed a positive change in the supportive attitude and acceptance of teachers and public educational institutions towards the work of kindergarten and school social workers. We confirmed an increase in connections to fellow professions as well as in the level of mutual initiative (Homoki & Czinderi, 2020). The continuous development of the service and the reinforcement of professionals is essential as there is a high degree of fluctuation at the national level (Sinka, 2019), even more increased by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, posing unprecedented challenges for actors in public educational institutions. Based on our qualitative data obtained by a focus group interview, we have shown how social workers in different types of settlements and educational institutions of the country (N = 13) were ableto adapt to the crisis. What was the degree of fluctuation? What kind of challenges did they face, and what types of resources were they able to mobilize during the online education in the first and second waves of the pandemic? Our data show a shift in priorities at the individual, group, and community levels of social work.

The Art of Becoming Indispensable

Despite their academic preparation and lived experiences, new school social workers face a learning curve when moving from entry-level practice to proficiency. The Art of Being Indispensable: What School Social Workers Need to Know in Their First Three Years of Practice is the first book focusing specifically on the needs of new school social workers as they transition to this complex role. Each of the book’s 20 chapters features an academic scholar and at least one school social work practitioner; overall, there are 18 academics and 42 practitioners from 28 different states. The diversity of the authors’ experiences, representing all variations of schools and districts, ensures that the content is applicable to a variety of practice contexts. Each chapter addresses the challenges of a public health pandemic and the impact of racial injustice. There is a timeless quality to this text since every year, new school social workers are being hired, whether from master of social work and bachelor of social work programs or from the ranks of professional social workers changing fields and becoming school social workers. This indispensable guide will help new school social workers to effectively execute their roles and responsibilities.

Understanding the Political Landscape in Schools

This chapter examines the unique internal and external political landscape of public schools and its relevance to the practice of school social work. The chapter focuses on four key concepts essential for new school social workers to navigate the politics of schools: (1) developing an understanding of the internal and external systems in which they interact; (2) clearly defining the role of school social worker, often within systems that are unclear or are new to the social worker’s role; (3) collaborating across all of the disciplines; and (4) sharing resources and information. Navigating the political landscape in schools is never easy and requires school social workers to be attuned to all of the nuances and complexities of the political landscape both inside and outside of schools.

Working in a School Setting

The introductory chapter sets the stage for understanding the roles, responsibilities, and all other relevant information necessary for the success of school social workers within the public school setting. The chapter begins with a review of the key concepts related to the practice of school social work. It also discusses enduring practice tensions, policy domains that influence practice, seven domains of knowledge, values, and skills relevant to the success of new school social workers. The roles of school social workers and the factors that shape these roles are examined. Finally, the chapter discusses the importance and use of student and school assessments.

Harnessing Community Resources to Enhance Student Learning and Development

One of the most important ways in which school social workers can support students, families, and staff is by acquiring, developing, and distributing community resources. This chapter will discuss identifying needs, assembling resources, empowering students and families to access resources, and building staff and program capacity to meet community needs. Discussion will focus on needs assessments during the overlapping pandemics of COVID-19 and racial inequities. Strategies for conducting needs assessments, mapping assets, and investigating potential community partners are offered. Finally, the chapter covers the importance of collecting and reporting data to evaluate the success of the programs that the school social worker develops.

A Brief History of Public Education and Its Impact on Marginalized Populations

The purpose of this chapter is to provide new school social workers with an understanding of the inequality that is rooted in public education and how it relates to their professional practices. An overview of the history of the U.S. public school system and the history of school social work is provided, focusing on the public school system’s role in the academic achievement gaps that continue to exist between marginalized populations and their peers. The school social worker’s roles as advocate and connector, facilitator, and clinician are outlined. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, and strengths-based practice theories are discussed. Evidence-based strategies and resources that can be used to address the needs of marginalized populations are explained.

Developing Credibility and Establishing Trust

This chapter discusses the importance of clearly establishing social worker roles within and outside of the building and the professional ramifications of differential training between school social workers and teachers. Steps are outlined for maintaining the social work code of ethics while partnering with other school personnel who are not bound to the same code. The importance of explaining confidentiality and its limitations early in the professional relationship is stressed. The social worker should remember to self-disclose only when it benefits the client. Advice is offered for building a solid foundation of trust and establishing credibility during a school social worker’s first three years in a school setting. Potential pitfalls will be discussed as well.

Evidence-Based Practice, Data Collection, and Progress Monitoring

This chapter discusses how school social workers can apply evidence-based practice to help meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of all children. Evidence-based practice broadly refers to two different approaches: infusing research and data use into school social work and applying empirically supported interventions in practice. The chapter details how school social workers can find and use effective evidence-based interventions. The process of implementing evidence-based interventions includes a cyclical process of assessing students’ needs, selecting the interventions, and monitoring progress by collecting data. Examples of interventions at tiers 1, 2, and 3 are presented, along with case examples that illustrate how school social workers have been successful at implementing these interventions. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the application of evidence-based practice as it relates to contemporary challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic and diversity, inclusion, and equity concerns in educational contexts.