USD 240 Social Workers

Mrs. Davidson

785-488-3321 * 785-283-4774

785-488-3321 * 785-283-4774

Bennington and Tescott Schools

Get to know your Social Worker

My name is Crystal VanCoevern, LMSW and I am privileged to say that I began my work with USD 240 during the 2014-15 school year as a student intern under the supervision of Rosemary Neaderhiser, LSCSW.   For my undergraduate education, I attended Kansas Wesleyan University majoring in Counseling Addictions and Human Services. Upon graduation in 2007 I began work as a juvenile case manager with Central Kansas Mental Health Center. During my journey I have met many amazing individuals who ultimately helped to guide me within my career endeavors.  I applied and was accepted to the Social Work Masters Program at Wichita State University in 2013.  After graduating with my Master’s Degree in 2015, I began my official work as a “School Social Worker” here at USD 240 Twin Valley Unified Schools.   

Currently, I live in Bennington Kansas with my husband- Tyler VanCoevern and children- Jay VanCoevern (16), Nathan VanCoevern (6), and Kyzer VanCoevern (1).  These boys keep me very busy, and I love every minute of it.  I am very passionate for my family and my work.  I aspire to do more and be more everyday in the most positive way possible.  To say that I am grateful to work with the staff and students here would be an understatement.  For this, I thank you- and look forward to everyday and opportunity I have to work with and amongst you. 

I have lived in Ottawa County for twenty years and very excited to have this opportunity to work locally again.  My career as a licensed social worker began in Topeka and changed to a rural focus when my husband and I desired small town living for our children who are both teenagers now.  I worked as a social worker for the Department of Children & Families and their contracted partners for sixteen years. My work experience includes assisting families in their homes with resources, serving as a liaison for the family with service providers, and setting up services for children to thrive.

Balancing a household with work, children, bills, transportation, and more can be challenging.  These factors can amplify if your child has additional needs relating to social, emotional, or behavioral health in the home and/or school setting.  Maintaining attendance, behavior, and academics for all children in the home can be overwhelming, as a social work liaison in the schools, I’m here to assist families in accessing services to benefit both the school and home environment. 

Work experience:

• Family Mediation & Crisis Intervention
• Facilitation of adolescent behavioral groups
• Connecting families with available services
• Case planning and implementation
• Safety plans and treatment plans
• Effective communication with children
• Emotional Support

• Providing Crisis Intervention (counseling)
• Assisting in developing positive behavioral strategies to increase academic success
• Assisting with conflict resolution, peer mediation and anger management
• Helping students develop appropriate social interaction skills
• Assisting the child in understanding and accepting self and others
• Assisting parents in accessing and utilizing school and community resources
• Acting as a liaison between home-school and community
• Acting as the SIT (Student Improvement Team) Facilitator
• Providing support for student transitions

Role of the Social Work Liaison:

• Assess needs of identified students
• Refer students to behavioral health services
• Partner with others to address barriers
• Support students & families navigating community services
• Conduct student observations
• Communication between family, providers, and school
• Collaboration of BH services with family, school, and treatment staff

Programs

• Group Sponsor of SAFE and Mentor Magic/Tescott Helping Hands
• Individual Counseling Services
• SIT Facilitator
• Home-School-Community Liaison (serving on the 28^th District Community Corrections Advisory Board; Ottawa County Community Connections & Ottawa County LEPC Advisory Board)
• Food 4 Kids Coordinator
• Collaborates with Administration on Prevention Efforts

Hours and Locations

Bennington: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month: 

(785) 488-3321 ext 254

Tescott: Thursday and every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month:

(785) 283-4774 ext 325