Social Work

Social-emotional health is an essential foundation of a child’s education, and the staff at Mill Creek is committed to the health, well-being and safety of every student.  To this end, the Second Step program is embedded within each grade level, and includes age-appropriate lessons focused on bullying prevention, social-emotional health and personal safety.

Along with this important curriculum, Social Work at Mill Creek includes advocacy for students and support for families in varying states of need, as well as support and professional development for teachers.  This may include individual or group sessions with students in school, as well as support for families navigating other community support systems. Parents can directly request services with our Social Worker, Lisa Zipser.

Other Social Work programs, like The Backpack Program, address the immediate needs of many students by filling their backpacks every Friday with a bag of healthy meals for the weekend.  The Backpack Program is a community partnership opportunity offered through The Manna Food Project and includes many local businesses who donate fresh food, hold fundraising events and/or make annual donations. We are grateful for the partnerships with Altonen Farm, UnderToe Farm, Royal Farms, Providence Organic Farm,  King’s Orchard, Townline Cider, Short’s Brewery, Village Market, the Lions Club and several area churches. 

Mill Creek staff continues to be a Trauma-Informed school.  We work with area organizations dedicated to student well-being and safety.   Trauma in childhood can include any ongoing events that may be significant to a child’s feelings of safety.  This may include things like divorce or separation, fear for loved ones who may be affected by addiction or depression,  and other more infrequent high-stress events.  Teachers learn to recognize and respond to students experiencing ongoing trauma, with the goal of supporting students in a way that reduces stress and negative impact.

Mill Creek staff recognizes social-emotional intelligence as a foundational part of curriculum, in that social-emotional well-being has broad positive impact including cognitive access to learning and academic success.   In this way, every child at Mill Creek benefits from the integration of academics and social work programs.

For more information please reach out to Lisa Zipser, our social worker at 231-267-9955 extension 5302 or email at [email protected]