DFCS proposes school-based social-worker pilot to link schools with county services

Department of Family and Children Services officials described a pilot program on Feb. 27 that would place DFCS social workers at two schools in high-referral ZIP codes to improve resource connections, support educators in identifying families in need and to assist when a suspected child-abuse report is required.

DFCS staff said the pilot idea grew from suggestions by CANS Center staff who noted many incoming calls described families in need of services rather than clear abuse. The pilot would include training for school personnel on child-welfare practices and mandated reporting, and would also build partnerships with community-based organizations to provide resources. DFCS presented a map showing ZIP codes with the highest child-abuse referral counts and said it expects one pilot site in San Jose and another in Gilroy.

Implementation steps listed by DFCS included continuing design discussions with CANS and prevention staff, identifying and securing one or two school partners, negotiating memoranda of understanding with schools, coordinating with labor on staffing, and identifying community partners. DFCS said it hopes to have one site operational by the start of the school year in August, with the second to follow between August and January.

Supervisor Young and other committee members voiced support for the pilot and requested implementation status updates at the next CSFC meeting. The committee voted to receive the report and asked for ongoing status reporting; the motion passed on recorded voice vote (Vice Chair Young: yes; Chair Arenas: yes).

Ending

DFCS said the pilot is ambitious but feasible with existing relationships and would be coordinated with schools, labor partners and community organizations. The committee asked staff to report back on progress and implementation milestones at upcoming CSFC meetings.