RIVERSIDE BROOKFIELD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SERVICES DEPARMENT

SOCIAL WORKERS

Mrs. Mari Mortensen
Social Worker

Ext. 2317

E-mail: mortensenm@rbhs208.org

 

 

Mrs. Christine Sutton
Social Worker

Ext. 2195

E-mail:  suttonc@rbhs208.org

 

 

 

Role of the School Social Worker
School Social Workers provide counseling support and services to students who are struggling with emotional, behavioral, academic or social issues that may be interfering with their school work or impacting peer and family relationship.  Social Workers assist students, families, staff and the community with appropriate resources to provide services that will help a student succeed academically.

All students are eligible for Social Work support.


Current Student Support Group Opportunities

  • Children of Alcoholics (or other drugs):  Intended to help the children of alcoholics/addicts  who are impacted by  parental drug use.
  • Drug and Alcohol Prevention Education Classes: Offered to students where there is a concern about possible drug/alcohol use and/or for those students who have broken the district rules regarding alcohol and other drugs.
  • Recovery Support:  For students who have an identified substance abuse problem and have made a commitment to recovery. 
  • Coping with Loss:  For students who have experienced the death of a parent.
  • Family Changes: Focuses on issues related to parental separation, divorce, and family dynamics.
  • Family Stress: Supports students who are concerned and worried about a parents’ recent job loss, unemployment, and/or lack of family financial stability. 
  • First Generation College Bound:  Support and assist students new to the college experience.
  • ADDvantage: Support and education for students who have ADD/ADHD.
  • New Student Support:  Offers support to students new to the RBHS district.
  • Girls/Guys Discussion: Supports healthy choices and problem solving.

Please contact a Social Worker for more information.


What issues can a Social Worker help me with?

  • Feeling stressed or anxious
  • Family Changes (i.e. Divorce, Separation, Illness or Death
  • Family stresses
  • Self-esteem issues
  • Academic difficulties
  • Depression
  • Substance Abuse
  •  Peer pressure and changes in friendship circles
  • Bullying & Harassment

Who can refer a student to a Social Worker?

  • Teachers

  • Parents

  • Friends

  • Counselors

  • Themselves

  • Any person concerned about a student can make a confidential referral to the Social Workers.
     


Counseling Services May Include but are not limited to:

  • Individual and Group counseling
  • Teaming with Counselors and other Staff members
  • Referral to community services
  • Prevention and intervention education
  • Assisting in completing a functional behavioral assessment, as well as assisting in the development of positive behavioral intervention strategies.

Cyber-Bullying and Social Networking Information (as mentioned in Parents' Cyber-Bullying Night 2/11/09)

 

160 Ridgewood, Riverside, Illinois 60546-2408 ~ Phone 708.442.7500 ~ Fax 708.447.5570

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