Home and School Visitors

Marisa Taddonio, LSW, M.Ed.
Home & School Visitor
Office: (610) 269-5656 ext. 28018
Cell: (484) 723-9986
mtaddonio@dasd.org

Ms. Marisa Taddonio, LSW, M.Ed., is the Home and School Visitor/School Social Worker for students and their families K-6. Ms. Taddonio has been providing services to students and families in a variety of public-schooled districts in the Philadelphia area for approximately 15 years. As the home and school visitor/school social worker, Ms. Taddonio provides support to students and their parents/guardians in the removal of barriers to education; including but not limited to crisis interventions, referrals to outside resources, support to transient families and students who have poor attendance, as well as professional development for staff.

Prior to working as a school social worker, Ms. Taddonio worked as a social worker in a truancy prevention program at a mental/behavioral health non-profit agency in Delaware County. Ms Taddonio started her journey as a social worker in 2002 working in foster care and adoption for a non-profit agency in Philadelphia and its surrounding counties. Additionally, Ms. Taddonio is Chair of the Delaware County Suicide Prevention and Awareness Task Force (DCSPATF), as well as the chair of DCSPATF Education/Conference Planning Committee. Ms. Taddonio is also a member of the Trauma Informed Education Coalition, where she provides training on trauma-informed Education.

Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology (University of Colorado, Boulder)
Master of Social Work (University of Pennsylvania)
Licensed Social Worker (PA Department of State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors)
Home & School Visitors Certification (Bryn Mawr College)
Graduate-level certificate in Restorative Practices (International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP)
Master of Education with a focus on Trauma and Resilience (Spring Arbor University)

Veronica Ortiz, LSW
Home & School Visitor
(610) 518-0685 ext. 35309
vortiz@dasd.org

Ms. Veronica Ortiz, LSW, is the Home and School Visitor/School Social Worker for students and their families K-8. She has over 17 years of experience working with children, families, and individuals as an agent of support and guidance. Ms. Ortiz has provided services to students and families in the West Chester Area School District for approximately 10 years. As the Home and School Visitor/School Social Worker of the DASD, Ms. Ortiz provides support to students and their parents/guardians in the removal of barriers to education; including but not limited to crisis interventions, referrals to outside resources, support to transient families and students who have poor attendance, as well as professional development for staff. Ms. Ortiz is committed and especially sensitive to the needs of children who find the school environment unsettling and focuses on keeping students engaged and connected. Ms. Ortiz also focuses on bridging the relationship between home and school. 

Degrees and Certifications: 
Master of Social Work (West Chester University)
Home & School Visitors Certification (Widener University)
School Social Work Certification (PA Department of State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors)
Licensed Social Worker (PA Department of State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors)