REQUEST FOR APPLICATION (RFA)
Social Workers for Middle Schools Initiative 2015-2016
RFA Released: May 11, 2015
Final Date to Submit RFA: June 5, 2015, by 5:00pm
No consideration will be available for RFA’s received after final date.
This is a Request for Application (RFA) and does not constitute an award. This RFA may qualify
an applicant for Social Workers for Middle Schools Initiative funds. $1,300,000 dollars in
competitive funding is available to New Mexico school districts to support placement of up to 20
school social workers to establish an innovative and impactful social worker program in eligible
middle schools. If awarded funding, districts will be required to hire an individual with an
appropriate license in accordance with STARS assignment code #82.
Application Checklist
Please complete the checklist below to ensure that all required information and actions have
been completed before emailing the RFA to Chris Narkun, Policy Division, New
Mexico Public Education Department.
Applications must be submitted to
chris.narkun@state.nm.us.
_______ All pages of the 2015–2016 Application for Social Workers for Middle Schools
Initiative funds completed
_______ Cover page
_______ Electronic submission of narrative explaining the district and targeted school’s need
and proposal for a middle school social worker program, double-spaced, 12pt. font,
separated into the following sections:
1. Eligibility Requirements – a section noting how the district and targeted school(s) meet
the requirements of the Social Workers for Middle Schools Initiative, as articulated in the
Eligibility section of this RFA;
2. District/Target School(s) Demographics – a section including: enrollment total and
enrollment by grade, ethnicity percentages, percent of students receiving Free/Reduced
Price Meals, percentages of students receiving special education services, and district
graduation rate;
3. District/Target School(s) Need for Proposed Program – an explanation of how the
program would directly benefit the district, targeted school(s), students, families and
community, with reference to relevant student data, including STARS infraction data
and/or Youth Risk & Resiliency Survey data; and
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4. Role of Social Worker – a section detailing the anticipated role and scope of work of the
social worker at the targeted school(s), including how the social worker will collaborate
with the current school staff, teachers, school nurses, guidance counselors, school-based
health center staff, and student wellness or crisis teams, as well as any additional
expectations the school will hold for this role.
Purpose
Schools are tasked with the important role of providing a safe, supportive learning environment
for all students. This includes promoting/addressing the social and emotional health and wellness
of students and ensuring access to appropriate behavioral health services. The purpose of the
Social Workers for Middle Schools Initiative is to establish a cohort of middle school social
workers placed across the state to address the many social and psychological issues and
challenges faced by middle school students and their families that may impact their academic
achievement and social well-being in the school environment. School social workers can provide
services and supports to students that help reduce risk factors, increase resiliency, and achieve
positive student outcomes such as improved behavior, attendance, academic performance, and
peer relationships.
School workers are part of a coordinated school health approach to create a healthy and effective
learning school environment that supports students both academically and emotionally.
New Mexico Public Education Department’s Policy Division is issuing this RFA to all New
Mexico districts, charters, and Regional Educational Cooperatives (RECs) interested in hosting a
middle school social worker to provide these services for one or more middle schools. For
applications involving RECs, the REC will complete the application as the lead applicant with
documented support from participating schools and districts, as well as a staffing plan detailing
how the social worker will serve two or more schools.
Goals and Best Practices for Middle School Social Workers
Guidance from the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) and the National
Association of Social Workers (NASW) describes the broad and varied level of supports a school
social worker can provide to students, parents, school staff, and districts, including:
 Assessing students for support systems, barriers to academic performance, physical and
emotional functioning, substance abuse, peer issues, suicidal ideation and other issues;
 Providing therapeutic services such as group, individual, or family counseling to facilitate
aligned approaches to student support;
 Developing and implementing treatment plans that support student self-determination;
 Providing crisis intervention, ongoing intervention strategies, and conflict resolution and
anger management skills for students;
 Providing case management services, including referrals and assisting students and
families in accessing and utilizing programs and resources to support student success;
 Participating in special education assessment meetings, preparing a social or
developmental history on a student with disabilities, and assisting in developing positive
behavioral intervention strategies;
 Contributing to a multi-disciplinary team, such as a Student Assistance Team, School
Safety Committee, District or School Crisis Response Team, or School Health Advisory
Council;
 Conducting home visits;
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Supporting school staff in developing behavior management strategies, gathering
essential information relating to student performance and behavior, assessing mental
health concerns, and developing staff in-service training;
Coordinating support to schools from social, health, and mental health agencies and
organizations, including school-based health centers;
Assisting districts and schools in the planning and implementation of effective programs
and policies to address drop-outs, truancy, suspected abuse or neglect, violence and
substance abuse prevention, suicide prevention, bullying, grief and loss, and mental
health stigma;
Assisting districts and schools with the planning and implementation of curriculum-based
programs that focus on social and emotional health and early intervention; and
Assisting districts and schools with adherence to state and federal laws and policies
regarding confidentiality and consent and other issues in the school setting
Schools participating in the Social Workers for Middle Schools Initiative can develop a schoolwide approach to promote positive academic, behavioral, and social traits while also providing
more effective and individualized support to students and families requiring such support.
Participating schools will benefit from reduced truancy and dropout rates, peer-to-peer conflict,
drug and alcohol use, disciplinary/behavioral concerns (e.g., suspensions and expulsions) and
improved student well-being and academic success. All of these factors can contribute to a safe
and supportive school and more successful academic environment.
Eligibility
 Districts serving at least one middle school of any size or any district or charter serving
any of grades 6-8 may apply. Regional Educational Cooperatives representing more than
one middle school are also eligible
 If applying through a Regional Educational Cooperative (REC), the REC will complete
the application as the lead applicant with documented support from participating schools
 REC applicants will need to provide a staffing plan encompassing how the social worker
will serve two or more schools (can be included in the “Role of Social Worker” section)
 Districts or targeted middle schools do not already have a school social worker position,
and must articulate a recruitment strategy to hire a social worker hire an individual with
an appropriate license in accordance with STARS assignment code #82 (e.g., ability to
recruit from an Institution of Higher Education, or an identified candidate)
 Districts or targeted middle schools should meet one or more of the following criteria
(with priority given to those schools meeting multiple criteria):
o 2013-2014 School Grade of C or lower
o 70% or more of students eligible for free or reduced lunch
o Habitual truancy rate of 15% or higher
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Application Requirements
1. The application must include:
a. Completed cover page form (located below on page 4)
2. Electronic submission of narrative explaining the school’s need and proposal for a middle
school social worker program, double-spaced, 12pt. font, separated into the following
sections:
a. Eligibility Requirements – a section noting how the district and targeted school(s)
meet the requirements of the Social Workers for Middle Schools Initiative, as
articulated in the Eligibility section of this RFA;
b. District/Target School(s) Demographics – a section including: enrollment total and
enrollment by grade, ethnicity percentages, percent of students receiving
Free/Reduced Price Meals, percentages of students receiving special education
services, and district graduation rate;
c. District/Target School(s) Need for Proposed Program – an explanation of how the
program would directly benefit the district, targeted school(s), students, families and
community, with reference to relevant student data, including STARS infraction data
and/or Youth Risk & Resiliency Survey data; and
d. Role of Social Worker – a section detailing the anticipated role and scope of work of
the social worker at the targeted school(s), including how the social worker will
collaborate with the current school staff, teachers, school nurses, guidance counselors,
school-based health center staff, and student wellness or crisis teams, as well as any
additional expectations the school will hold for this role.
The completed RFA must be electronically generated. An electronic copy of the completed
RFA must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 5, 2015. All electronic copies should
be sent to Chris Narkun at chris.narkun@state.nm.us. Requests for an extension of this date will
not be granted.
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COVER PAGE
Applicant Contact Information
District and
targeted
school(s):
Regional
Educational
Cooperative
(if applicable)
Number of
social
workers
requested:
Primary
Contact
Phone
Mailing
Address
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e-mail
Social Workers for Middle Schools Initiative Rubric
Lead Applicant Name
Criteria
Included
Comments
Application Format
Electronic application received by 5:00 p.m. on
Yes
May 15, 2015
Cover page
Yes
No
No
Narrative showing the proposed program meets
No
each of the eligibility requirements described in Yes
this RFA
If the above items are not complete the application will not be accepted.
Social Workers for Middle Schools Initiative Score Sheet
Understanding of the purpose and goals of the program
Notes:
1
5
10
1
5
10
1
5
10
1
5
10
1
5
10
Targeted Demographic
Notes:
District/School(s) Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey Data
Notes:
Demonstration of need in district/targeted school(s)
Notes:
Role of the social worker
Notes:
Total Points
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/50
Application
a. Eligibility Requirements – How the school meets the requirements of the Social Workers
for Middle Schools Initiative
b. School Demographics –
Total Enrollment:
Enrollment by Grade
6th:
7th:
8th:
% of students receiving
Free/Reduced Price Meals:
% of students with disabilities:
Truancy Rate:
2013-2014 School Grade(s):
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c. School(s) Need for Proposed Program – How the program would directly benefit the
school(s), students, families and community
d. Role of Social Worker – What is foreseen as the role of the social worker at the school(s),
how the social worker will work with the current student support team, and any
additional expectations school(s) will hold for this role
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