School Social Work at BASD
School social workers support students and families by connecting them to school and community resources, and removing barriers to educational engagement. Social workers assist students and families with basic needs, mental health services, community activities, and crisis support. They also provide direct counseling interventions to individuals and small groups at school, and coordinate outreach and wellness activities throughout the district. School social workers work closely with local community organizations, the district's Student Assistance Program (SAP) teams and school counselors, as well as the district’s Homeless and Foster Liaison.
Meet the Team!
Maria McClatchey, LSW, SSW
(814) 355-4814 ext. 3061
mmcclatchey@basd.net
Visit this link if you want to learn more about school social workers' roles and the SSW certification.
Jessica Irwin, LSW, SSW
(814) 355-4814 ext. 3063
jirwin@basd.net
Crisis Support and Basic Needs
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call 988
988 serves as a universal entry point no matter where you live in the United States.
Center for Community Resources - Local Crisis Support
Call 1-800-643-5432 or Text 63288
24/7 Walk-In Center at 2100 E. College Ave.
Statewide Resource Line - Call 211 or visit pa211.org
Talk with a resource specialist and explore options for assistance with housing, food, utilities, employment, health, and mental health.
Finding Your Way in PA - download the mobile app
Explore services, resources, and information for young people and families, particularly those experiencing homelessness.
Community Organizations and Initiatives
Centre County's Mental Health Community Committee is committed to promoting mental health awareness, community partnerships, and education regarding mental health services, support, and training opportunities. The resources page also includes information on housing, transportation, food, employment, and more.
School Teams & Programs
Student Assistance Program (SAP)
The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a team process used to mobilize school and community resources to remove barriers to learning so that students can succeed and advance in school. The phases of SAP include referral, data collection, action planning, and follow-up.
Anyone can make a SAP referral, and reasons for referral include, but are not limited to: significant changes in behavior, difficulty regulating emotions, sudden decline in grades, concerns regarding bullying, and references to substance use.
For information about Elementary SAP, please visit the individual school's website or reach out to a school counselor or school social worker.
For general and statewide info, or to learn more about the history of SAP, visit the Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance.
Homeless and Foster Care Liaison
The rights of students experiencing homelessness are protected under the McKinney-Vento Act. Visit this webpage for important information and points of contact.
Cartwheel:
Mental Health Provider Partnership
Since 2024, our district has partnered with Cartwheel to support the mental health needs of our students via virtual therapy with licensed clinicians. Students are identified and referred for these services by our school teams, but we are pleased to share that you can also request these services directly for your child. Oftentimes, families are the first to recognize that their child might need mental health support so we want to make it as easy as possible for your family to access these services.
Fill out this Family Interest Form to get started.
Please reach out to one of the school social workers or your child's school counselor if you need help or would like to talk things through.
Here are some signs to look out for to determine if your child might benefit from this support:
Changes in mood or behavior
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Declining academic performance
Withdrawal from friends or activities
Increased anxiety or stress
Expressing feelings of sadness or hopelessness
Experiencing transition (related to life, family, peers, school)
Exposure to a traumatic event
Check out these FAQs about the types of challenges Cartwheel can support, how it works, and more.