We Inspire and Equip all Students to Achieve Unlimited Potential
Team Members
Dr. Trikella L. Nelson
Director of Counseling, McKinney-Vento, & School Social Work Services
About Us
A SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER'S ROLE:
We seek to Advocate
- Serve as a voice for students
- Guide families in pursuit of needs, goods and services
- Serve as a liaison between the student, family, school, and community
- Report concerns of child abuse and neglect
- Assist parents in understanding children's social/emotional needs
- Represent school position and needs in crisis situations
- Develop partnerships with community agencies and faith-based organizations
- Encourage and facilitate community involvement with schools
- Build positive relationships with school staff, students, and families
- Educate school staff and community on issues of cultural diversity
- Help students achieve maximum academic success
- Inform parents of the educational process
- Encourage and monitor school attendance
- Enforce the Georgia Compulsory School Attendance Law
- Provide an array of services to students and their families
- Provide consultation to teachers and other staff
- Collaborate with the community agencies for the improvement of the welfare of our students
- Provide liaison services for McKinney Vento and foster care students and families
- Work with appropriate local agencies & families to help prevent child abuse
- Collaborate with community to help ensure families have the support resources they need
Truancy
GA Compulsory Attendance Law:
https://muscogee.k12.ga.us/c/Divisions/StudentServices/SchoolSocialWorkServices/CompulsoryAttendanceLaw
MCSD Student Handbook and Code of Code for 2023-2024:
https://online.flipbuilder.com/StudentServices/ukhc/
MCSD Student Attendance Protocol:
https://muscogee.k12.ga.us/c/Divisions/StudentServices/SchoolSocialWorkServices/StudentAttendanceProtocol
MCAP
Purpose
The Muscogee County Attendance Panel (MCAP), an ongoing community effort to address school attendance, will serve as an interagency resource and problem solving body to reduce chronic unexcused absences, tardiness, and high school dropout rate. This panel aims to decrease the incidence of truancy in Muscogee County through the commitments of local agencies, organizations, and individuals to promote the educational progress of children and families.
Vision
Muscogee County Attendance Panel aims to connect students and families to school and community resources to enhance school attendance.
Mission
Muscogee County Attendance Panel is a community effort to decrease the incidence of truancy.
Referral Process to the Muscogee County Attendance Panel (MCAP)
After ten (10) unexcused absences or any questionable period of chronic absenteeism detrimental to a student’s ability to attend in the classroom, the Social Worker may refer to MCAP.
MCAP referral form will be completed by the school social worker. The school social worker is also responsible for providing information that will help the Panel understand aspects of the child/family history pertinent to the case in review that would not be immediately apparent to the Panel through any other means.
- A copy of the referral will be provided to MCAP members on the day of the review. All MCAP members will understand all referrals and/or information gained during the review are completely confidential.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY ATTENDANCE PANEL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Muscogee County Division of Family and Children Services
Muscogee County Health Department
Columbus Police Department
Muscogee County Sheriff Department
Muscogee County Marshall’s Office
Muscogee County Department of Juvenile Justice
Muscogee County School District - Lead Nurse
Muscogee County School District - School Security
Muscogee County School District- Military Liaison
Muscogee County Family Connections Program
Muscogee County New Horizon’s Program
Muscogee County Municipal Court Clerk’s Office
Muscogee County School District Project Aware
Boys and Girls Club
Peachtree Mall Security
Muscogee County School Social Work Department
Overflow Outreach
Valley Interfaith Promise
Associated Programs
McKinney-Vento Homeless Department
The Homeless Education Program ensures access to a free appropriate public education for children and youth experiencing homelessness in accordance with McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act. The Program provides the following services: Transportation; Educational Support and Remediation Service; School Supplies; and Community Based Resources. For additional information or to speak to a representative to determine eligibility, please click learn more.
Learn More
Graduation Coaches
Graduation Coaches ensure the successful transition of all students from middle to high school, and high school to post-secondary education or the workforce. They provide comprehensive prevention/intervention programs for students at risk of grade retention and/or dropping out of school. They ensure that at-risk students receive the resources and services needed to guide them toward graduation. Click learn more to find out your Region's Graduation Coach.
Learn MoreNewsletters
Resources
Affordable Connectivity Program: Internet Resource
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the internet they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. For more information and to apply for services, please click link above.
Child Mind Institute
This website is a comprehensive resource for children's mental health information. It also offers a link to book appointments for telementalhealth. Click on the link above to reach the website.
Enrichment Services Program, Inc.
Enrichment Services Program, Inc. is a community action agency that provides many resources, including but not limited to the following: Head Start/Early Head Start, resources for families experiencing hardship due to COVID-19, energy assistance, employee training programs, case management focused on family self-sufficiency, and food distribution through a partnership with Feeding the Valley. You may select the link above to reach their website or call them at # 706-649-1600.
Faith Chapel's Laundry Initiative Program
Faith Chapel has partnered with Muscogee County School District’s Social Work Department to provide free laundry services to MCSD students. Contact your School School Worker to schedule an appointment.
FoodFinder
Information on how to get help from free food programs near you. Click on the link to reach the website.
Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL)
A 24-hour Crisis response system for problems with development disabilities, mental health, drugs or alcohol. Call 1-800-715-4225 or select link for more information.
Goodwill Industries
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers Inc. is a community-based nonprofit available to provide free career services including job coaching, training and skills classes, GED preparation and testing, along with many other services designed to connect individuals to work. Call 1-866-325-8265 or select link for more information.
Home for Good
Home for Good is affiliated with United Way to assist with families who are at-risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness. There coordinated entry is a process developed to ensure that all people experiencing homelessness have fair and equal access and are quickly identified, assessed for, referred, and connected to housing and assistance based on their strengths and needs. You can contact them via phone # 706-327-3255 or access the intake form via the link above.
Hope for Homeowners Program
This is a program for people at risk of losing their home due to default and foreclosure. If you are having difficulty paying your mortgage, you may be eligible to refinance into a mortgage that you can afford. Participation in the Hope for Homeowners (H4H) program is voluntary, and both lender and borrower must agree to participate.
How to Apply for Government Benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF)
Click the link for details
MCSD Student Hygiene Repository
Provides students with free hygiene products. Please contact Liaison, Florence Dawkins, at 706-748-3311 or your school for additional information.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. Call 1-800-273-8255 or select link for more information.
Sara Spano Clothing Bank
Provides students with a school wardrobe consisting of new and gently worn items. Please contact your School to initiate the referral process.
St. Anne Outreach
St. Anne Outreach provides food and clothing to those in great need or in emergency situations. Very limited financial assistance for utilities, rent and prescription costs may also be provided, dependent on available funds. Call 706-568-1592 to find out more information or schedule an appointment for assistance. You may find additional information by clicking on the above link.
St. Luke Church Outreach
St. Luke Church Outreach offers many ministries and services to the community, including the following: prayer ministry, respite care, Meals on Wheels, Samaritan's Fund (Utility Assistance), BRIDGE (GED training and job skills for at-risk young people ages 18-25), Open Door Community House/Circles of Columbus, Valley Interfaith Promise (homeless sheltering program for families with children), Food Pantry, and Bereavement Ministry. You may call # 706-327-4343 or select the link above to obtain additional information.
United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley
A 24-hour Crisis Intervention Line that can provide a list of resources for basic needs, support groups, counseling centers, and community mental health providers. You may simply dial 2-1-1 or call 706-327-3999 or select link for more information.
