Social Work Corner

Greetings from your Social Work Department

Welcome back to the 2026-2027 school year!

We are Dr. Melissa Evans and Mrs. Jovana Thompson, your Manheim Central Certified School Social Work Department.

Dr. Evans joined our district in October of 2023 and oversees all McKinney Vento, Truancy, and much more district wide.

While Mrs. Thompson joined the district in March of 2023 in a new role, Student and Family Resource Specialist. Mrs. Thompson works primarily on the secondary level, 5th through 12th grades, meeting one-on-one with learners and case managing on-going supports for families.

We hope to use this a space for information regarding news from the Social Work Department, updates, resources, and more.

Thanks for taking the time getting to know us through our smore page,

Melissa Evans, DSW, MSW, LSW, C-SSWS, EvansM@manheimcentral.org

Jovana Thompson, MSW, LSW, C-SSWS, ThompsonJo@manheimcentral.org

Fun Fact:

Both Melissa and Jovana hail from Governor Mifflin SD where we worked together as their School Social Workers for 3 years before joining MCSD!

How to make a School Social Work (SSW) Referral:

Easiest way to make a referral is through your Administration or School Counselor.

Chat with them about your concern(s) and if a SSW referral is appropriate, they will submit a referral on your behalf.

If you need to simply talk through a situation that feels concerning, you are welcome to contact us directly via email, office, or mobile numbers you see listed at the bottom of our page below!

Social Worker Month March 2026

School Social Work Week: Day 1

WELCOME BACK!

We are excited to celebrate and spread the word about School Social Worker Week! The theme this year is Uplift, Defend, and Transform, which highlights the powerful and meaningful work school social workers do each day to support faculty, students, families, and school communities!

We are especially proud to share that our team has had the opportunity to mentor two graduate-level school social worker interns this school year! Their dedication, fresh perspectives, and commitment to learning have been a great contribution to our district. Throughout this school year they have helped meet with students, run small groups, do community outreach, assist with overseeing Baron Outfitters and much more.

We are kicking this week off by (re)introducing our MCSD Social Work Department and shining a spotlight on our incredible interns. Get to know our team below!

Hi, my name is Paige Weimer. I’m in my final semester at Millersville University, completing my Master of Social Work degree along with the School Social Work Certificate. I really enjoy supporting students and families and look forward to applying my skills to help create positive, supportive school communities.

Hello! My name is Kierra Hinkle. I am from Elizabethtown, PA. I am currently a graduate student at Shippensburg University pursuing my Master of Social Work degree. My goal is to become a certified school social worker. I am passionate about supporting students and families by helping remove barriers to success and connecting them with valuable community resources to promote academic achievement.

In my free time, I enjoy taking walks, singing, and spending quality time with my family and friends. A few fun facts about me are that my favorite color is purple, and my favorite foods are burrito bowls (from Chipotle) and sushi!

I plan to graduate with my master’s degree in May and obtain my professional license so I can begin working as a school social worker. I am truly passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of students and helping them thrive both academically and personally.

School Social Work Week: Day 2

Extend your hand out with an open palm… ✋ we’ve just virtually high-fived as a thank you for coming back for Day 2!

Tuesday’s theme is: Uplift.

Throughout the day, you might have noticed tear-off flyers displayed in various locations around every building in the district. Feel free to encourage students and staff to tear one off if it resonates with them throughout the week! These messages are meant to encourage, inspire, and remind our students and faculty of their strengths, resilience, and importance. Sometimes the smallest reminder can make the biggest difference.

School social workers are proud to be part of the incredible team of adults who support students each day. Alongside teachers, administrators, support staff, and so many others who pour into our students, school social workers work collaboratively to ensure every child feels supported, heard, and empowered. Empowerment isn’t just a nice idea, it’s a core value of the social work profession and something we commit ourselves to when we take our oath as social workers. We take that responsibility seriously.

We invite you to take a moment to read the affirmations placed around your building, share them with students, and help uplift others as you move through your day. A kind word, a smile, a reminder of someone’s strength, it all adds up. Let’s keep spreading positivity and lifting each other a little higher today. 💛

School Social Work Week: Day 3

Phew. Half way through the week!

Today’s Theme: Defend

In social work, defending students means advocating for their needs, rights, and well-being so they can fully access their education and feel supported in their school community.

School social workers help defend students in many ways — from supporting students experiencing housing instability through McKinney-Vento, addressing attendance barriers, connecting families with community resources, advocating for the supports students need to succeed, and much more.

Of course, this work doesn’t happen alone. Teachers, support staff, administrators, and many others play an essential role in advocating for and supporting students every day.

What does “Defend” look like in action for a school social worker?

Speaking up when a student’s needs or voice aren’t being heard
Helping students access supports and resources
Creating safe spaces for students to share concerns
Addressing bullying, exclusion, or unfair treatment
Helping students learn to advocate for themselves

At its core, defending students means standing beside them and ensuring every child is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

The numbers below reflect the 2024-2025 school year and represent real students, real needs, and the many ways the Social Work Department and our school community work together to support them.

Thanks for being part of the village that shows up for kids every day!

School Social Work Week: Day 4

Oh, hi there! We’re pleasantly surprised you came back for another day, which either means you’re very dedicated…or you’re really good at skimming emails. Either way, you da best.

Today’s theme is Transform.

One of the most powerful parts of social work is the ability to help transform challenges into opportunities for growth and support.

School social workers work alongside students, families, and staff to help shift difficult moments into meaningful progress. While we can’t always remove every barrier a student faces, we can help create pathways that move students forward.

Every day, school social workers help transform:

Crisis into stability
Conflict into problem-solving
Absences into re-engagement
Challenges into growth

Often, transformation doesn’t happen through one big moment but through the small supports, consistent encouragement, and problem-solving along the way that make the biggest difference.

A conversation.
A connection to a resource.

A student realizing they can handle something they thought they couldn’t.

Those small moments can lead to life-changing outcomes.

And while school social workers work hard to transform barriers into opportunities… if anyone knows how to transform this dreary weather into sunshine, we’re all ears.

See you tomorrow 😁

School Social Work Week: Day 5

Alas, it's Friday. If you made it through all five days of these email - truly impressive.

We’ve spent the week sharing how school social workers help uplift, defend, and transform challenges students may face.

But at the heart of the work is something simple:
We believe every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and capable of success.

Sometimes the work is visible.

Sometimes it happens quietly behind the scenes.
But it always happens together.

School social workers can’t do this work alone. Teachers, support staff, administrators, and many others help create the network of support that students rely on every day.

If you ever find yourself unsure about how to support a student or family, please know you can always reach out to us, even if it’s just for a quick consultation or to talk something through. That’s what we’re here for.

Together, we help ensure every student has someone in their corner.

P.S. Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead this weekend and enjoy losing that hour of sleep.

Until next March 👋

Baron Outfitters

In the 2024-2025 school year we welcomed our brand new and FREE needs-based closet, Baron Outfitters, proudly located within Manheim Central High School. Designed to support ALL students across the district, from pre-K through 12th grade, Baron Outfitters is now open and fully operational!

We provide gently used and some new clothing, shoes, accessories, basic toiletries, school supplies, and much more. Operating through the generous donations of our community, our mission is to ensure every student feels confident and prepared while fostering a supportive environment where all students can thrive.

At this time we are open by appointment only.

Please complete the Baron Outfitters Referral form listed below to schedule a visit or to make a donation!

For any additional information, please contact one of the following:

Jovana Thompson, Certified School Social Worker: thompsonjo@manheimcentral.org
Melissa Evans, Certified School Social Worker: evansm@manheimcentral.org

Proud to be a Baron!

Baron Outfitters Referral

After a request is made, please allow 1-2 business days for a MCSD staff to reach out regarding specific needs and when a good time would be to come in for requested items!

To make a request please complete the form below:

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Community Resources

Manheim Central Food Pantry

You must register first, showing proof of residency in the Manheim Central School District. The head of the household must show a valid photo ID. After your registration is completed, you will receive an appointed day to visit the food pantry once a month. Clients must call Ruth Ellen each month before their scheduled visit and confirm their appointment in order to use the pantry.

The food pantry is open for registered clients on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Mondays and Thursdays of each month and the 3rd Thursday evening. Hours for clients to receive food are from 11:00AM until 1:00PM and 5-7PM, 3rd Thursday. The evening time is only for clients who are unable to come during our daytime hours.

Link below will bring you directly to their website for more info!

Therapeutic After School Program

WellSpan is offering a Therapeutic After School Program to students in Lancaster and Lebanon counties.

Many kids benefit to participate in Groups over the summer to avoid drift when the structure of school is not in place and increase coping and social skills.

Please see the attached flyer for caregivers. Referrals can be made directly in Epic and licensed clinicians can make the recommendation.

Ages 6-20
Can attend up to 5 days a week
Locations: Lancaster, Lebanon, York
Funded through Medical Assistance
Kids do need to have a mental health diagnosis

If you have any questions about Groups, please reach out to our case managers IBHSCaseManagement@wellspan.org Thank you and have a wonderful day!

Summer Happenings 2026

MANTEC’s Summer Camps

For high school students (especially rising juniors and seniors): this is a great opportunity to share.

MANTEC’s summer camps are immersive, hands-on experiences that introduce students to high-demand careers in manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and technology. This isn’t just classroom learning—students build, explore, and experience what these careers actually look like.

Programs include:

Engineering (explores the analytical side of engineering)
Applied Engineering (build and problem-solve in real lab settings)
Supply Chain (learn how products move from idea to delivery)
Exposure to AI and emerging technologies

Students will work alongside college faculty and industry professionals, participate in site visits, and gain insight into career paths they may not have considered.

✔ Designed for high school students (especially rising juniors and seniors)
✔ Career-connected, hands-on learning
✔ Students get paid to participate

If you’re looking for a meaningful opportunity to share with your students, this is a great one to pass along.

👉 Learn more and share with your students: More info: https://www2.mantec.org/e/927773/gage-the-next-generation-copy-/gndvb/1059855507/h/iBigmKmRY9UjjMPwKSTAjJh26tGQuvJeryHgKlOE15M

Shannon Taggart
Career Concierge
M: 717-314-5860

RiseAbove

Reach out with further questions to:

Madeline Mitchell, MS, MSW, LSW (she/her)

Programs Manager

Touchstone Foundation:

Youth Mental Wellness Partners

717-392-1595

mmitchell@touchstonefound.org

www.touchstonefound

Camp Ladore - Salvation Army

See pictures for details!

WellSpan Health IBHS Groups

Hello!

Summer planning is on the way. If you think you have kids that need some more structure than a regular camp can provide our summer programming starts June 8th. We have therapeutic groups focusing on emotional regulation, impulse control, social skills and compliance incorporating games, crafts, and activities to learn skills. I have attached our updated flyer that can be shared with families!

Frequently asked questions:

Q: Do you provide transportation?

A: Transportation is not currently provided but can be discussed if it is the main barrier we have been able to assist families without vehicles in the past.

Q: How often can they attend?

A: The program is open Monday through Friday 11:30am-4:30pm. We typically have caregivers select 2 or 3 days that work best to attend.

Q: Does the program cost money?

A: MA insurance is required to be eligible for the group and is billed through that. If the child does not already have MA through their diagnosis we are happy to help them apply.

Q: Is lunch provided?

A: Yes, we do get meals from the food bank and will serve lunch and a snack during the day. Children are also welcome to pack if they prefer.

Q: How do they get started?

A: There is a number provided on the flyer that they can call to schedule the initial appointment or they can reach out to the program manager if they have further questions! The number is 717-676-7641.

Let me know if you have any questions, hoping to provide support and structure when school is out of session!

Thank you,

Lizann Killeen (she/her)
Program Manager

Lancaster TASP
ekilleen@wellspan.org
717-676-7641
780 Eden Rd Bldg #5, Lancaster PA 17601

Crisis Resorces

A LIFELINE IN TIMES OF CRISIS

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call. Text. Chat.

988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers providing FREE and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States.
Crisis Text Line is there for any crisis.
A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds from a secured online platform.
Crisis doesn't just mean thinking of ending your own life. It's any painful emotion and anytime you need support.

See how it works here: Reach a Crisis Counselor

2-1-1 Lancaster County Helpline

2-1-1 helpline provides information to local programs in many areas including but not limited to food assistance, housing, financial assistance, utility assistance and more.
Pennsylvania 2-1-1 is free, confidential, non-emergency, comprehensive information and referral service.
Services connect Berks, Carbon, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill county resistance with the health and human services they need.
Simply call by dialing 211 on any phone or 855-567-5341