Abstract
When the economy is facing troubling times there is a tendency to cut social service programs first, often including school social work positions. A pervasive view often exists within academia where support services and preventative interventions are not valued as much as strictly traditional academic services. As students struggle to meet their basic needs, it can be difficult to focus on education and fulfill maximum academic potential. This study aimed to investigate parent’s perspectives on current services offered through the schools, what services their families are in need of, and how these unmet needs have affected their child’s attendance, behavior, and academic performance. Parents of middle school students in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD) were the subjects of this study, and the data reflected views that schools should be a center for community services, students would benefit from a social worker on campus, and families could use assistance acquiring needed resources. Findings provided useful information which can be applied to further research or program development.