Preschool Social Worker

RESPONSIBLE TO: Preschool Education Administrator

Summary of Position

The Preschool Social Worker provides comprehensive mental health and social-emotional support to children and families enrolled in Saginaw ISD's Head Start, Early Head Start, and Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) classrooms.

This position ensures program compliance with Head Start Performance Standards (1302.45) and GSRP guidelines related to early childhood mental health.

The Social Worker collaborates with teaching and family support staff to build trauma-informed, inclusive environments that promote resilience, emotional regulation, and family engagement.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Mental Health and Social-Emotional Supports

Provide classroom consultation to staff regarding child mental health, social-emotional development, and behavior regulation.

Conduct classroom observations and collaborate with teaching teams to develop individualized social-emotional support plans.

• Provide short-term individual and small-group interventions for children with identified needs.
• Develop and implement Plans of Care for children requiring targeted intervention, including obtaining parental consent and engaging the family.
• Support classroom teams in the use of trauma-informed, restorative, and resilience-based practices.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to review student needs, progress, and referrals.
• Collaborate with community mental health providers and family service staff to coordinate wraparound supports.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed and follow up with staff and families.
• Consultation, Coaching, and Collaboration
• Offer reflective consultation and ongoing coaching for teachers and family service staff.
• Assist with professional learning sessions on trauma-informed care, behavior support, and emotional wellness.
• Support classroom environments with calming spaces or "reset rooms."
• Engage in continuous data review and reflection to improve program outcomes.
• Participate in Child Study Team meetings and provide professional recommendations.

Family Engagement

• Conduct family consultations and home visits related to children's social-emotional development.
• Provide parents with strategies to support positive behaviors and emotional growth at home.
• Offer resources and referrals for community-based counseling, social services, or parent education.
• Partner with Family Service Advocates to ensure holistic, family-centered support.
• Facilitate parent workshops on child development, mental health, and family well-being.

Documentation and Compliance

• Maintain confidential, accurate, and timely records of all contacts and services provided.
• Complete mental health screenings, Plans of Care, and follow-up documentation in accordance with Head Start and GSRP requirements.
• Participate in program monitoring, self-assessment, and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Ensure compliance with MDE, MiLEAP, and SISD Early Childhood procedures and regulations.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution.
• Licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW) through LARA.
• Meets credential requirements under Head Start Program Performance Standards (1302.91) and GSRP Implementation Manual for mental health personnel.
• Experience working in Early Childhood, Head Start, or GSRP programs.
• Training or certification in trauma-informed care, Conscious Discipline, Pyramid Model, or related frameworks.
• Experience working with families from diverse backgrounds and supporting inclusive practices.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Valid Michigan driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to confidentiality, professional ethics, and equity in service delivery.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Saginaw Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of: race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, disability, age, or national origin in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, visit eeoc.gov.

• Executive Director of Human Resources
• Saginaw Intermediate School District
• 3933 Barnard Road
• Saginaw, MI 48603
• Telephone: (989) 799-4733

Location: Saginaw, Michigan

Department: EARLY CHILDHOOD

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation

Per the SIFT Collective Bargaining Agreement