School Social Workers: Our Newest Data Story

Children and youth are experiencing increased rates of anxiety and depression, and school social workers play a critical role in addressing students’ social, emotional, and mental health needs. They identify challenges early, connect families with resources, and provide support where students spend much of their time -- at school.

Yet many Rhode Island school districts do not have enough school social workers to meet the recommended ratio of one social worker for every 250 students. The data shows that this is not just an urban school district problem; districts across the state are falling short of meeting the recommended ratio.

Our School Social Worker Data Story is an interactive tool we created to help parents, students, policymakers, and district leaders understand the important role of school social workers, understand the perspectives of students, parents, and providers, and see how each district compares with the recommended ratio. The Data Story also identifies a clear path forward. Rhode Island must invest state funding to increase the number of school social workers and ensure students can access the support they need to thrive in school, at home, and in their communities.

New Resource: Recommendations for Supporting 
a Positive School Climate and Safe Schools

We have released a new resource to help school districts build safer, more equitable learning environments. This is in response to data showing Black and Hispanic students, as well as students with IEPs, are referred to law enforcement and arrested at disproportionate rates in RI schools. The goal of the resource is to create safer schools through restorative, developmentally appropriate discipline practices that divert students from the youth justice system, while still prioritizing school safety.

• This resource is modeled after a Connecticut initiative, and we thank them for their preceding work.
• We developed Recommendations for Supporting a Positive School Climate and Safe Schools with the Rhode Island Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Steering Committee and youth from the Anti-Racist Education Policy collaborative, and we also received input from other partners at the intersection of schools and youth justice. 

Recommendations for Supporting a Positive School Climate and Safe Schools includes:

• A Model Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) clarifying roles between school districts and law enforcement, ensuring School Resource Officers (SROs) are involved only in genuine criminal matters. 
• A Graduated Response Model, a four-tier framework guiding discipline (from classroom teachers to administrators to student support professionals), with law enforcement as a last resort.

Immunizations Info from the RI Department of Health


Thank you RI Healthy Schools Coalition for sharing this information and all the work you do! Please see their full newsletter and join their list here.

RI Dept of Health Webinar: Back-to-School Vaccinations in RI

• Preparing for Back-to-School Vaccinations in Rhode Island provides an overview of school coverage data, Rhode Island school vaccine requirements, and strategies to help children and adolescents stay healthy for the school year through up-to-date vaccinations. This webinar is part of an ongoing collaborative learning series with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM).

School Nurses and Health Leaders: Book Your Preferred Vaccination Clinic Dates Now!

• For older children, Vaccinate Before You Graduate clinics (VBYG) occur at participating middle schools and high schools throughout the school year. This can be a convenient and option for many parents and families, especially those experiencing healthcare service transitions or having difficulties accessing care. Vaccinations are free through VBYG.
• School health teams are encouraged to contact The Wellness Company now to book preferred dates and times to hold a VBYG clinic for the school year ahead! Visit twc.thewellcomp.com/vbyg.

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT advances equitable policies that improve the lives of all Rhode Island children and eliminate disparities through the power of data, advocacy, and civic action. www.rikidscount.org