Or. Admin. R. 584-245-0340 - Emergency School Social Worker License

(1) Purpose: An Emergency School Social Worker License qualifies its holder to provide student support services in Oregon schools. The Emergency School Social Worker License is issued to persons who demonstrate adequate qualifications to receive a school social worker license on an emergency basis. An Emergency School Social Worker License may be issued when a school district demonstrates extenuating circumstances that merit the issuance of the license in order to protect the district's programs or students. The Emergency School Social Worker License is designed for short-term licensure only and may not continue once the emergency situation has been remedied.

(2) District Sponsorship: The Emergency School Social Worker License requires district sponsorship. The sponsoring district must submit a statement:

(a) Describing the extenuating circumstances preventing the district from hiring a School Social Worker holding a non-provisional School Social Worker license appropriate for the assignment and how the issuance of the restricted license will protect the district's programs or students;

(b) Explaining how the qualifications of the applicant will resolve the extenuating circumstances;

(c) Assuring the Commission that the district will obtain the license for the educator prior to assignment within the district or prior to the 91st day after the date of application for licensure;

(d) Describing the district's plan to provide a mentor for the school social worker.

(A) The district must identify that mentor in the letter of application.

(B) For purposes of the Emergency School Social Worker license, a mentor shall be:

(i) A person with a non-provisional Personnel Services License.

(ii) When a person with a non-provisional Personnel Services License is not available at the assigned work site, a principal may serve as a mentor, so long as the school district provides the school social worker with support from a person with a non-provisional Personnel Services License as noted by the sponsor.

(e) Describing the plan for how the school social worker will make progress toward qualifying for non-provisional state licensure within the first term of the Emergency School Social Worker License.

(3) Granting of a License: Upon filing an application and full fee in the form and manner required by the Commission, an Emergency School Social Worker License may be issued in any increment of time at the Executive Director's discretion, but generally will be limited to the least amount of time reasonably necessary to complete non-provisional licensure requirements or to bridge the actual emergency generating the district's request.

(a) An Emergency School Social Worker License shall be issued solely at the discretion of the Executive Director or designee for any length of time deemed necessary to protect the district's programs or students.

(b) The Executive Director may consider efforts the educator has made in meeting licensure requirements. Additionally, the Executive Director will consider academic preparation or experience the proposed educator has had in the area in which the district is requesting the license.

(c) Generally, failure to meet renewal requirements does not constitute an emergency or extenuating circumstances.

(d) In most cases, an Emergency School Social Worker License will expire on June 30 of the academic year in which the license was granted regardless of the term for licensure. Extending the license beyond the June 30 expiration date is at the discretion of the Executive Director after considering all extenuating circumstances.

(e) The Executive Director is authorized to deny application for an Emergency School Social Worker License if the request exceeds more than one year beyond the expiration of a Restricted Transitional School Social Worker License.

(4) Applying for License: To be eligible to apply for an Emergency School Social Worker License, an applicant must:

(a) Possess the personal qualifications for licensure, including:

(A) Attainment of at least eighteen years of age;

(B) Good moral character; and

(C) The mental and physical health necessary for employment as a School Social Worker.

(b) Hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an Approved Institution in the United States, or the foreign equivalent of such degree approved by the Commission;

(c) Provide a statement from the sponsoring district in accordance with section (2) of this rule;

(d) Meet the requirements for knowledge of U.S. and Oregon civil rights laws and professional ethics;

(e) Complete a background clearance that includes:

(A) Furnishing fingerprints, as required by ORS 342.223;

(B) Providing satisfactory responses to character questions in the form and manner prescribed by the Commission; and

(f) Submit a complete and correct application in the form and manner required by the Commission, including payment of all required fees as provided in 584-200-0050.

(5) The Emergency School Social Worker License will be issued solely at the discretion of the Executive Director or their designee, for any length of time deemed necessary to protect the district's programs or students. The Executive Director may consider the following:

(a) Whether the educator has had any academic preparation or experience in the area of social work;

(b) Efforts the educator has made in meeting the Initial School Social Worker License requirements; and

(6) Continuing Applicant Licensure:

(a) The Emergency School Social Worker License is not subject to the 120 days allowed for licensure renewal purposes under ORS 342.127. A new application and fee is required for the license the applicant must qualify for once the Emergency License has expired.

(b) It is the applicant's responsibility to apply for the subsequent license in a timely manner in order to ensure that the applicant remains licensed.

Notes

Or. Admin. R. 584-245-0340

TSPC 18-2021, adopt filed 11/15/2021, effective 1/3/2022; TSPC 3-2022, minor correction filed 02/02/2022, effective 2/2/2022

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 342.165

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 342.125, ORS 342.136, ORS 342.138 & ORS 342.165