School Social Worker
Ms. Cynthia Gipson
I’ve been a DCSD
School Social Worker since 2012. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Child
Development and Family Welfare from Illinois State University. Since
1987, I’ve worked in various areas of Professional Social Work, including
foster care, public aid, child protective services and child support.
Inspired by the positive impact my mother made, as a public school teacher and
school counselor, I went back to school and earned a Master’s Degree, in School
Social Work, from The University of Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign. A native of
Illinois, my family moved to Georgia, in 1998. I began my work in Georgia
Schools, as a Community In Schools Program Coordinator in APS, before
transferring to DeKalb County School District where I’ve also served in the
capacity of an MS Graduation Coach and HS Graduation Specialist. I currently hold
dual certification in School Social Work in Georgia and Illinois. I am
also a Georgia Notary. In my spare time, I enjoy spending
quality time w/family and friends, traveling (locally and abroad), outdoor
concerts/festivals, dancing and good food. I am a PROUD MEMBER of Zeta
Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated!
School social workers
intervene when there is a social, familial or economic challenge that impacts
the learning process of students. Social workers are also part of the
educational team comprised of administrators, teachers, counselors, and
parents. School social workers help strengthen students’ learning
opportunities, achievement, and socio-emotional functioning by providing the
following services:
- Assist families in identifying
community services and resources
- Provide casework services to
students who have problems adjusting to school
- Facilitate individual and group
support sessions
- Consult with teachers,
administrators, and parents regarding classroom behavior, school policies,
and procedures affecting student performance
- Act as mandated reporters of
suspected child abuse
- Participate in crisis
intervention teams
- Coordinate with the juvenile
court to uphold the Georgia Compulsory School Attendance Law
- Provide assistance to students
and families who are homeless
Ms. Gipson’s email address: [email protected]