School social work services at The Skokie School provide a wide range of assistance and consultation to students, teachers, and parents. Social Work at The Skokie School is not limited to individual consultation, but works with the larger school and family community to promote the healthy growth and development of our early adolescent students. Middle school is a time of great change and emerging independence, finding an identity and a place within the group are important concerns for all our students. To this end, the social worker works within the school community to provide experiences where students can develop leadership and friendship opportunities by managing and participating in the Friday Game Room, arts and crafts groups, baking, "bring a friend to lunch," or friendship group lunches. The REACH program is supported by the experience and curriculum of The Skokie School mental health staff.

A licensed clinical social worker, who is also a certified in school social work, is available to meet with any child within the school, for any number of concerns. A student does not need to have an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) to meet with the school social worker, but does need to have written parental consent for ongoing counseling. Worry about academic performance, making friends, loss or family separation or moves, and crisis intervention are typical concerns students deal with in school.

School social workers are trained in a variety of methods, and apply the researched-based "best practices" to these problems. Consultation with teachers and parents are integral to the effectiveness of this process. Working within a trusting and collaborative relationship, towards mutually agreed upon goals, students grow in their ability to understand themselves and cope resiliently, both with the changes of early adolescence and their own particular concerns.