Trending
WHEELING -- Ohio County Schools has plans to hire two social workers to help students and families find the community services they need.
Board of education members are slated at their next meeting on June 13 to formally approve the appointment of the community-in-schools liaisons they already have selected.
The salary and benefits for the positions will be totally funded by the West Virginia Department of Education for the first two years, according to Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones. There will be no out-of-pocket costs for the school district during that time.
Stacy Dietz, currently the principal at both West Liberty and Bethlehem elementary schools, will leave that job to return to her roots as a social worker and become the first community in schools liaison.
Unique Robinson presently works under contract with Ohio County Schools to assist students, and she will take the second liaison position. She is a 2015 Wheeling Park High School graduate who received a degree in social work, criminal justice and psychology from Marshall University.
Neither hiring is official until approved by board of education members.
Plans call for Robinson to be stationed at WPHS and assist students there, while it is still being determined where Dietz will be placed, Jones said. State guidelines call for the liaisons to be based within a school assisting students.
The Community In Schools program in West Virginia -- an effort to place social workers within the school system -- started in 2004 in Greenbrier County with the encouragement and support of now-West Virginia First Lady Cathy Justice.
"They will be the connection between students' families and the services they need," Jones said.
"This could mean anything from helping them to obtain a medical card to finding them living arrangements - anything a social worker would do.
"The liaisons will tie the community with schools, and direct families to the services they provide. They will make the contacts and set up meetings."
A specific employee with the duties of coordinating social services within the schools didn't exist before, he continued. Often the job fell to school guidance counselors.
"But some things get beyond the counselors," he said. "Some things are just a bit beyond what they are trained to do, or have time to do."
One thing he sees the liaisons doing is coordinating a donation effort within the schools and community to establish a central food pantry and place for needed clothes and other necessities.
"We need to have one place in the county where we can house those things," Jones said.
He said Ohio County Schools will monitor the program over the next two years as it is funded by the state, then determine whether to continue the program at the cost of the school district.
Robinson explained that as a school-based social worker, she will not necessarily be a counselor or therapist for students. She will, however, work with students individually to determine their specific needs.
During her time already working part-time with students in elementary and middle schools, she said she has seen a glaring issue come to light.
Many of them have thoughts of self-harm and even suicide, and she has had to counsel them on behavior and anger management issues.
"You see it in all ages - more so in middle school, but there are some fourth and fifth graders with depression, anxiety, who talk about suicide and practice self-harm," she said.
Robinson said her goal is to work on bridging the gaps that exist between schools, community services and students' homes. She hopes to help the students deal with homelife issues, such as parents' working schedules or relationships with siblings.
Failing grades and lack of school attendance also are common problems, according to Robinson.
Robinson worked with Bridge Street Middle School this school year to organize a textured hair expo there.
She said she has always wanted to be a social worker.
"It has always been my path," she said. "I have a personal relationship with this field, and I have always wanted to do this and specifically help kids.
"I want to help them realize their childhood doesn't define who they can be as adults," she said.
Dietz - who has a degree in education - was a social worker for seven years with the state of West Virginia before seeing a need in the classroom to be a teacher.
She sees a need once more, but this time to put her experience in social work and education to use where she can be the most productive.
"I love my job (as a principal)," Dietz said. "But I like change, and I go where I am needed.
"I feel the schools (West Liberty and Bethlehem elementaries) are independent and can function with all we've put in place. Our teachers are seasoned, on automatic pilot, and know what the kids needs. Our families are very supportive at schools, too."
She said she will now be there to assist those students "with extra needs."
As a principal, Dietz also was successful when it came to finding her schools "partners in education" in the communities, and securing grants.
"I'm high on partners and education and grants," she explained "One of my favorite things was getting community members involved and writing grants, and I thought this could carry over to the next position.
"I can be the bridge to outside services coming into the school. I have connections in the community, there are people who always offer to help. I will capitalize on that, and get everyone involved."
Dietz isn't concerned that the school district hasn't decided yet where she will be based, and where her focus will be.
"It kind of excites me," she said. "I am hoping to go see the kids still at the schools. It is hard to leave your family.
"I am honored that Ohio County has enough faith in me to pursue this, and I am excited to get started," Dietz said.