Comprehensive Child Study (CCS) is a PWCS program that supports students who experience challenges that may affect their ability to learn and succeed in school. These challenges may include social, emotional, behavioral, or outside-of-school factors that make school participation difficult.
CCS Specialists are Social Workers who work with students and families to understand the student’s needs and identify supports that may help the student be more successful. This can include connecting families with community resources, coordinating with school staff, and guiding families toward helpful services.
CCS is a collaborative effort between PWCS and community agencies to help ensure that students have access to the supports they need both inside and outside the school environment.
CCS is available to PWCS students who are experiencing social, emotional, or behavioral challenges that interfere with their ability to fully participate in school. When these challenges place a student “at risk” for needing additional supports to be successful, CCS may be able to help.
Before CCS becomes involved, families are encouraged to use the support options already available to them, including services through private insurance or Medicaid when applicable. If these resources are not enough, or if the student needs a more specialized or intensive type of support that is difficult to access, CCS may help connect families with additional community-based options.
A student’s access to CCS is not affected by family income, immigration status, primary language, or special education eligibility, and support is available across all PWCS schools.
When a student may benefit from extra support, a school staff member – such as a teacher, counselor, or social worker – may recommend CCS involvement.
Participation in CCS is voluntary, and school staff will speak with parents or guardians to explain CCS and discuss whether it may be helpful for their child. The written consent of the parent or guardian will be obtained from school staff prior to making a CCS referral.
Once CCS becomes involved, a CCS Specialist will reach out to the family to learn more about the student’s strengths and needs. The specialist may meet with the student and family, talk with school staff, and coordinate with community resources when appropriate.
Together, the family, school team, and CCS Specialist identify supports that may help the student thrive. These supports may include community-based counseling, in-home supports, skill-building programs, or other services that address the student’s needs.
Throughout the process, CCS stays connected with the family and school to ensure the student receives the support needed to be successful. Support through CCS ends once the student demonstrates sufficient progress in addressing the school-related concerns that previously placed them at risk.