Affective Needs Social Worker at KNDLA… at KIPP Colorado… · Denver

About the Affective Needs Social Worker Role:

The Affective Needs Social Worker supports KIPP students with significant social, emotional, and behavioral needs by providing direct services, developing intervention plans, and collaborating with staff and families. This role ensures students can access their education in a supportive, inclusive, and structured environment. The Affective Needs Social Worker will work with students to set goals and will develop differentiated plans for supporting the students in meeting these goals. They will create a schedule for meeting with individual students and groups of students and monitor and share out student progress. The Affective Needs Social Worker will also ensure that we are in compliance regarding behavioral and social emotional services mandated by students’ Individualized Education Plans.

This role prioritizes legally mandated and high-impact mental health services aligned to Affective Needs (AN) center programming, including direct IEP services, assessment, progress monitoring, Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) development, and crisis/safety response.

The Affective Needs Social Worker supports students with significant social, emotional, and behavioral needs by providing direct services, developing intervention plans, and collaborating with staff and families. This role ensures students can access their education in a supportive, inclusive, and structured environment.

About KIPP: Together with families and communities, KIPP creates joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. KIPP is a national network of tuition-free, public charter schools open to all students. There are 255 college-preparatory KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating four-year colleges at three times the national average for low-income students.

Who we are: KIPP Colorado Public Schools is a network of six free college-preparatory public charter schools open to all students. Our 350-person staff educates 2,600 students from ECE to 12th grade. At KIPP Colorado, we partner with our KIPPsters, educators, families and communities to ensure that we are all united around the goal of a choice-filled future for our KIPPsters. Our KIPP Forward Team supports our 1,000+ high school Alumni as they create their own paths. Our core values of excellence, belonging, belief, advocacy and courage are central to who we are and how we operate at all levels of our organization.

What we do: We believe in the unique gifts and brilliance of every student. We believe in setting a high bar for joy and academic excellence to ensure the infinite possibilities our students have before them become a reality. We aspire to create and reinforce a culture of achievement, belonging and support. We know that every student is different and we personalize learning based on a student's needs, skills, and interests.

Role Responsibilities and More About How You’ll Spend Your Time in this Role
Professional Responsibilities

• Believe deeply in the mission, values, and Race, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (RIDE) commitments of KIPP Colorado Schools and that all children can and will learn
• Assume personal responsibility for student achievement
• Read, internalize, and adhere to the KIPP Colorado Policies and Procedures manual and guidelines
• Provide an active presence, strategic supervision, and intentional monitoring to ensure student safety and engagement in rigorous learning (regardless of my role and its proximity to students)
• Take ownership for the development of your craft and engage actively in coaching sessions (meet 1-2 times every 1 or 2 weeks (depending on need and role) with a manager, receive coaching, implement all provided feedback, engage in active practice, etc.)
• Commit to being prepared. Such as: internalizing and preparing for lessons, preparing for O3s/coaching, preparing for meetings, coaching, PD, reading and internalizing written communication, etc.
• Meet professional obligations including and not limited to meeting deadlines and honoring schedules
• Consistently leverage existing professional tools, including but not limited to Google Suite (google documents, etc.) and Microsoft Suite (including but not limited to your KIPP Colorado email, Teams chat / meetings, Teams phone, and Microsoft Outlook calendar)
• Maintain strong attendance each day and be on time to all responsibilities
• Collaborate with colleagues and seek feedback in the spirit of continuous improvement
• Reflect on professional practices to meet individual professional development goals
• Actively participate in professional development, grade level, and department meetings
• Actively engage and implement in all school-wide and Org wide professional development
• Serve as a positive, contributing member of a grade team or functional team, collaborating with colleagues to tackle common challenges and implement org and grade-wide initiatives
• Share candid, solutions-oriented feedback with peers and leadership on a regular basis, assuring that feedback is shared directly with the intended recipient. Ensure that feedback is focused on improving outcomes and experiences for students
• Assist with both student and staff recruitment and engagement- including events, home visits, calls home, and other determined and related requirements
• Know that your role, professional development, org wide meetings, etc. may require you to travel around Denver to other KIPP Campuses, our Home Office, or other KIPP or PD events
• Assist with other duties as assigned (such as but not limited to, lunch duty, arrival/dismissal duty, bathroom duty, hallway duty, school support duties, etc.)Responsibilities should prioritize specialized mental health services aligned to licensure and IEP requirements; additional duties should not supersede required services and compliance obligations.

Evaluation and Services

• Develops and executes needs assessments in the first month of school year

• Uses a variety of appropriate formal and informal tools and techniques including observations and interviews to evaluate the progress and performance of KIPPsters and their families

• Provides intensive services to students in one-on-one and small groups. These services can be specialized, therapeutic support for behavioral and emotional needs.

• Collaborates with school teams to determine the services needed for each student, based on their IEP goals and requirements, their personal goals, behavioral, social emotional functioning, and other school-based goals for their learning and development.

• Implements evidence-based social-emotional and behavioral interventions

• Supports crisis intervention and de-escalation as needed

• Helps students develop coping strategies, emotional regulation, and social skills

• Conduct social/emotional assessments and contribute to eligibility processes

• Provide direct and indirect services aligned to IEP and 504 requirements, including delivery of social-emotional minutes, progress monitoring, and documentation.

• Progress monitor and report on student goals in alignment with IEP requirements and timelines.

• Use knowledge and understanding of how the home, school, and community influence one another to intervene for KIPPster success through such practices as assessment, crisis intervention, home visits, conflict resolution, individual and group counseling, consultation

• Promote family support of KIPPsters learning experience within the context of multicultural understanding and competencies

• Develops and provides training programs that address school goals and mission.

• Engage in individual and school safety implementation, including prevention, assessment/intervention for KIPPsters at-risk of harm to self or others, child abuse reporting and crisis response

Behavioral Support

• Assist in developing and implementing Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
• Analyze behavior data to inform interventions
• Support staff with strategies for managing challenging behaviors
• Lead and/or support Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and ensure development, implementation, and ongoing progress monitoring of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).

Advocacy

• Advocate and facilitate change that effectively responds to the needs of KIPPsters, families and KIPP Colorado network using appropriate statutes, case law, policies, and procedures
• Assist KIPPsters and their families to gain access to formal and informal community resources

Consultation and Collaboration

• Consult with community members, families, and KIPP school staff to facilitate an understanding of factors in the home and community that impact KIPPsters’ educational experiences

• Consult on issues as attendance, diversity, mental health, behavior management, delinquency, crisis intervention, homelessness, child abuse, neglect, and the importance of confidentiality

• Support targeted interventions for students with intensive needs as a participant of interdisciplinary teams in accordance with the school mission and with the unique contribution of bringing the KIPP staff, home, KIPP school and community perspective to the KIPP interdisciplinary process

• Work with internal and external individuals, groups, and organizations to develop programs or systems of care that support and enhance the health, social and emotional well-being, and safety of all KIPPsters and staff

• Promote collaboration among community health and mental health service providers and facilitates KIPPster access to these services

• Orient community providers to KIPP school climate, and the community

• Actively participate on RTI/problem-solving teams, such as KIPPster intervention teams, discipline support teams

• Support school teams in attendance-related problem solving as appropriate

• Collaborate with AN program staff and school leadership to design and implement proactive and responsive mental health programming, including social-emotional skill development, behavior systems, and structured supports for AN classrooms.

Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation

• Effectively plan, implement and evaluate KIPP programs that promote KIPPster and family success

• Apply knowledge of environmental factors in planning programs

• Conduct individual and/or KIPP school-wide assessments and surveys to assess the school and/or the community needs

• Assist the KIPP school in planning programs that alleviate situations, which may interfere with the learning process of KIPPsters

• Assist in the evaluation of effective school-based programs.

• Lead and support student safety protocols, including risk assessments, safety planning, and ongoing monitoring for students at risk of harm to self or others.

Accountability

• Advocate, facilitate and contribute to school social worker accountability in terms of the local, state and federal policies
• Adhere to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and Standards for School Social Work
• Evaluate own practice to maximize the effectiveness of services and resources provided to the KIPPsters, families and school
• Maintain up-to-date documentation and records
• Organize time and workload in order to meet responsibilities
• Participate in all KIPP professional development opportunities as well as opportunities that work to directly improve knowledge and skills in job performance

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in active presence and strategic supervision and monitoring to ensure student safety and engagement in rigorous learning
• Partner with the Assistant Principal of Special Services and Special Education Teachers to ensure proper implementation of 504s, BIPs, IEPs, safety plans, accommodations, modification, and language support for students
• Enforce positive behavior systems
• Attend designated school functions outside of school hours (Back to School Night, Report Card Conferences, Community Events, etc.)
• Perform necessary support duties including (but not limited to) bus, lunch, and dismissal duties,chaperone field trips. Participate in parent meetings, conferences, and periodic evening events
• Develop strong relationships with the families of students through home visits, participation in school events and phone calls home
• Communicate regularly with families about academic progress and behavior
• Participate in daily duties (i.e. breakfast, lunch, dismissal) to support school operations
• Maintain accurate records, and data tracking systems
• Assist with both student and staff recruitment

Role Level Specifics, Scope of Work, and Level of Responsibility

● For more about how you’ll lead at this level, please visit theKIPP Colorado Role Levels Matrix (this is an internal document, only)

About a Successful Candidate
About the skills and qualifications you will bring to this role:

• Masters Degree in Social Work (required)
• Spanish bilingual (preferred)
• Colorado Department of Education Special Service Provider License with a Social Worker endorsement (required)
• LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) (preferred)
• Previous affective needs school social work experience (preferred)
• At least 2 years of teaching experience (highly preferred but not required)
• Ability to work during after-school, evening, and weekend meetings and events at the school (required)
• A full understanding and Commitment to an Exceptional Student Experience (more about thatHERE) (required)
• Commitment to and experience with youth of various cultural and economic backgrounds
• Outstanding organizational skills and high attention to detail; outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Ability to manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities inherent in an entrepreneurial environment
• Proactive problem solver who demonstrates initiative and teamwork
• Strong work ethic coupled with an enthusiastic and passionate approach to one’s work
• Multi-faceted, multi-skilled, resourceful and willing to do whatever it takes to help the school reach a level of academic excellence
• High level of detail orientation and sound excellent organizational skills
• Strong communication, feedback and facilitation skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative
• Entrepreneurial mindset, with the creativity and versatility to work productively in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment with a proven ability to meet and complete multiple deadlines and tasks with meticulous attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop productive working relationships with stakeholders across functional and organizational lines
• Passionate commitment to KIPP Colorado mission and to high standards of excellence

Compensation and Benefits
Employee retention and satisfaction is imperative for KIPP Colorado. We seek to provide competitive compensation and benefits including the following:

• Competitive Market Salary: Starting salary for this role begins at $68,716 and is commensurate with experience

○ Please submit a comprehensive resume to assure all your experience is accounted for! Tip: We don't care if your resume is more than one page, we are eager to see and compensate you for all of your experience and accomplishments.

• Excellent Healthcare Plan: 100% of employee-only monthly premium paid by KIPP Colorado and options for family enrollment and coverage, through United Healthcare.
• Time Off !!!: More than 6 weeks of annual vacation and Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Based on hire date, employees are eligible for up to 8 days of Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • All employees receive summer break through an organization-wide closure, based on work location and position
  • Access to parental and medical leave: includes 6 weeks paid and 6 weeks unpaid for a total of 12 weeks (after your first year)
• Career Trajectory: Access to opportunity to move up, across schools, and grow your career during weekly coaching sessions to refine your craft
• Mental Health Care: Immediate and ongoing access to mental health support through our Employee Assistance Program
• Technology & Access: Equipment provided: laptop & phone
• Retirement Planning: Participation in theColorado PERA retirement program, including a PERA 401k option
• Move to Join Us: Relocation reimbursement (when applicable)
• Additional Pay: Most schools offer various stipend opportunities
• Other Insurance Options:
  • Wellness reimbursement
  • Voluntary employee, spousal, and child life insurance
  • Voluntary long term disability insurance
  • Voluntary short term disability insurance
  • Optional Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Additional Information: For more information, you can view our benefits FAQhere

KIPP Colorado Schools is dedicated to equal employment opportunities and fair labor practices. KIPP Colorado Schools, KIPP Denver Collegiate High School, KIPP Northeast Denver Middle School, KIPP Northeast Elementary, KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy, KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy and KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications, and the ability to perform a job without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religious creed, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, legally protected medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, or on any other basis made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. It is our policy to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds.