Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 330,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers.
CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.
In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans : academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.
Six core values are embedded within these commitments student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.
The Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services (ODLSS) provides tools and resources to ensure that all diverse learners receive a high quality public education that prepares students for success.
ODLSS works to support networks, schools, and families with concerns related to special education including instruction, interventions, and support with legal compliance.
Job Summary :
Under the direct supervision of the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services and a CPS school social work field instructor, the intern will support an array of evaluative, direct, and consultative / collaborative services to enhance the educational outcomes of students enrolled in CPS.
Interns will carry out their daily responsibilities across the entire city and will have the opportunity to provide services to students ages 3 through 21.
All duties are performed in accordance with both federal and state statutes, Illinois State Board of Education procedures, and CPS policy.
With the support and supervision of a school social work field instructor, duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following :
- Utilize data-based decision making to drive instruction
- Consult and collaborate with all relevant stakeholders
- Provide interventions and instructional support to develop academic skills
- Provide mental health services to develop social and life skills
- Support / develop school-wide practices to promote learning
- Support schools in the provision of multi-tiered prevention and evidence-based strategies for effective crisis response
- Promoting school-wide practices to support learning and a positive school climate
- Engaging in MTSS efforts using researched-based interventions
- Implementing school-wide positive behavioral support systems
- Suggesting academic / learning interventions and differentiated instructional supports
- Providing mental and behavioral health interventions to students with disabilities as well as their non-disabled peers
- Conducting ongoing academic / behavioral data collection and analyzing progress monitoring data
- Identifying at-risk students and providing appropriate interventions
- Providing crisis response, recovery, and prevention services
- Assisting with the development and implementation of Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
- Providing in-service training to school staff members
- Consulting and collaborating with parents, school staff, and community service providers
- Conducting comprehensive evaluations with individual students to determine their unique strengths and challenges (behavioral, emotional, academic, adaptive, personality)
- Assisting with the development of IEP and 504 Plans for diverse learners
- Screening the learning environments of students
- Consulting with families as needed to enhance home-school collaboration
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the School Social Work Intern must possess the following qualifications :
Education Required :
Must currently be enrolled in the final two semesters of an accredited Master of Social Work Program with a School Social Work Concentration and on track to complete the program in good standing by Spring 2024
Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to :
Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire.
Up-to-date on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.