Tracy Bolano, MSW, LICSW: School Social Worker

Services provided by the School Social Worker

*Adopted from the https://www.sswaa.org/school-social-work.

RELATED SERVICES

• Participating in special education assessment meetings as well as individual Educational Planning Meetings.
• Preparing a social or developmental history as a component of evaluation.
• Counseling (group and/ or individual).
• Mobilizing family, school, and community resources to enable the child to learn as effectively as possible in his or her educational program.
• Assisting in developing positive behavioral intervention strategies.

SERVICES TO STUDENTS

• Providing crisis intervention.
• Developing intervention strategies to increase academic success.
• Assisting with conflict resolution and anger management.
• Helping the child develop appropriate social interaction skills.
• Assisting the child in understanding and accepting self and others.

SERVICES TO PARENT/FAMILIES

• Working with parents to facilitate their support in their children's school adjustment.
• Assisting parents prepare for transition to community-based school settings.
• Assisting parents in accessing and utilizing school, institutional and community resources.

SERVICES TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL

• Providing staff with essential information to better understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting a student’s performance and behavior.
• Assessing students with mental health concerns.
• Assisting teachers with behavior management.
• Providing direct support to staff.

SCHOOL-COMMUNITY LIAISON

• Obtaining and coordinating community resources to meet students' educational and vocational needs upon transition.
• Advocating for new and improved community/school service to meet the needs of students and families.
• Helping the system respond effectively to each child's needs.
• Assist with transition to school of origin.
• Assist students in career and post-secondary planning.

COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION WITH TREATMENT TEAMS AT THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER

• Serve as the educational representative at Individual Treatment Team Meetings (ITP), Bi-Monthly Reviews (BMR) and Transition Planning Meetings (TPM).
• Collaborate with other clinical service providers and staff members regularly to ensure coordinated care.
• Provide educational summary to Rhode Island Family Court for reviews.

While youth are at the Youth Development Center, a heavy emphasis is placed on the development of relationship skills, responsible decision making, self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness.

Let’s work together!

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About Me

Hello! Thank you for visiting the School Social Work page! My name is Tracy Bolano and I have been working at the Youth Development Center since September 2001. I have been specifically working as a School Social Worker since 2005. I am a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) by the Rhode Island Department of Health and certified by the Rhode Island Department of Education as a School Social Worker. I love my job and am passionate about helping students build upon their strengths and develop coping strategies to assist them in reaching their full potential. As a School Social Worker, I work to ensure equitable education opportunities and experiences for all students; ensure that students are mentally and emotionally present and prepared for the classroom; and work to promote dignity, respect and understanding for all students. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you need any support or information!

Tracy Bolano | tracy.bolano@dcyf.ri.gov | 401-462-7258