R277-306-7. School Social Worker Preparation Programs

(1) A Utah institution of higher education may seek approval by the Board for a school social worker preparation program if the program: (a) results in a masters of social work degree; (b) is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education; (c) includes school-based clinical experiences for a candidate to observe, practice skills, and reflect on practice that: (i) are significant in number, depth, breadth, and duration; and (ii) are progressively more complex; (d) requires demonstration of competency in: (i) knowledge of the role of a school social worker in furthering the educational mission of an LEA; (ii) applying theoretical social work concepts and practical skills to the k-12 educational setting, including: (A) social, emotional, family, and community assessment; (B) individual, group, and family counseling; (C) casework; and (D) crisis intervention; (iii) knowledge and application of rules regarding data and record keeping that apply to data available in a school, including: (A) the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. 1232g; and (B) Title 53E, Chapter 9, Student Privacy and Data Protection; (iv) knowledge of laws regarding disabilities and their application to school social worker practices and the school setting, including: (A) the IDEA; and (B) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. 12101; (v) utilizing information from assessments in an educational setting to develop student-focused programs and interventions; (vi) implementation of evidence-based curriculum in response to current social and emotional aspects of education; and (vii) providing and advocating for services that support the social and emotional aspects of education; (e) requires multiple opportunities for a program applicant admitted after January 1, 2020 to successfully demonstrate application of knowledge and skills gained through the program in a school-based setting in each of the following areas: (i) utilizing information from assessments in the development of student-focused and system-focused programs and interventions in a school setting; (ii) counseling individuals and small groups of students with identified needs and concerns; (iii) implementing varied models and strategies of consultation, collaboration, and communication with teachers, individuals, and families; and (iv) developing or updating a crisis prevention/youth protection response plan. (2) An individual holding a licensed certified social worker "CSW" license or licensed clinical social worker "LCSW" license through the Division of Professional Licensing in accordance with Rule R156-60a qualifies for an associate educator license with an associate school social worker license area of concentration detailed in Section R277-301-4 if the individual, no more than one calendar year prior to the application: (a) completes a criminal background check, including review of any criminal offenses and clearance in accordance with Rule R277-214; and (b) completes the educator ethics review described in Rule R277-302. (3)(a) The Superintendent shall work with Utah universities and LEAs to create and administer a non-degree professional license preparation program for individuals described in Subsection (2) that meets all the requirements of Subsections (1)(c) through (1)(e).