Welcome to the Topeka Public School Social Work Department
“I believe that every single event in life happens in an opportunity to choose love over fear”— Oprah Winfrey
Social Workers in Topeka Public Schools have the joy of directly serving many individuals who have walked through traumatic experiences and maybe dealing with strong emotions and fear. As such, all department staff strive to help students and their families to find hope, support, safety, connections and the realization of accomplishments.
School Social workers are committed to improving the educational success and the social and emotional development of all students and link between school, home, and community. School social workers work to remove barriers that may impact a students' academic success. Social Work staff works directly with school administrators, students and families, providing consultation in forming school discipline policies, development of mental health interventions providing crisis management and support services to all buildings in Topeka Public Schools.
As part of an interdisciplinary team to help students succeed, school social workers may also facilitate community involvement in the schools while advocating for student success.
Examples of areas of service include:
- Provide direct services for children with disabilities
- Complete psychosocial evaluations
- Provide functional behavioral assessments
- Write behavior intervention plans
- Provide individual and group counseling
- Support adult regulation and self care
- Support adults to become trauma informed
- Support trauma responsive classroom practices
- Design crisis prevention and intervention
- Provide parent education and training
- Collaborate with community agencies and organizations
From the Offices of:
Susan Mills
LSCSW Coordinator of School Social Work
[email protected]
785-235-7188
Regina Franklin
LMSW, McKinney-Vento Coordinator
[email protected]
785-235-7512
Check out our favorite articles:
SevenSlideSeries: The Human Brain
"A brief introduction to core concepts regarding brain structure and function that provide the basis for developmentally sensitive and trauma-informed caregiving, education and therapy." Child Trauma Academy
Unlocking the Door to Learning: Trauma-Informed Classrooms & Transformational Schools
"All schools and educators work with children who have experienced trauma, but you may not know who these students are. Schools have an important role to play in providing stability and a safe space for children and connecting them to caring adults." -Maura McInerney, Attorney & Amy McKlindon, MSW
Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain
"Better is possible, it does not take genius, it takes diligence. It takes moral clarity. It takes ingenuity. And above all, it takes a willingness to try." - Atul Gawande
Dr. Lori Desautels Trauma Informed School Conference Presentation
“A Calm Regulated Adult Can Calm a Child. A Dysregulated Adult can Never Regulate a Child or Adolescent! Discipline Begins with Me!”- Dr. Lori Desautels