Job Title: Masters Level Social Worker
Job Type: Full-time
Description
SCOPE: Develop and monitor the implementation of a Personal Development Plan (PDP) with participants in the Residential Program, provide guidance and support to participants to meet program objectives; and contribute to the mission of Goodwill by advocating for the participants and maximizing opportunities for persons with disabilities and other barriers to become more independent, guided by precedent and working within the limits of established policies.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Receive and review case files for new participants in the Housing First programs. • Meet with individual participants and review interests, work history, and goals. • Identify the assets and barriers of participants through observation, interviews, case notes, and other means. • Assess participants abilities to learn skills and job readiness. • Utilizing a person-centered approach, work in collaboration with participants and referring agencies to establish individual participant goals toward self-sufficiency. • Identify barriers with participants and develop intervention plans to support participants in maintaining housing. • Assist participants in developing natural support systems to increase housing stability. • Conduct risk assessments and develop crisis safety plans as a result of assessment(s). • Upon admission and regularly thereafter, review the lease agreement with the participant(s) and educate them on the terms, requirements, etc., facilitating an overall understanding of a lease agreement and actions to be taken to avoid eviction. • Upon admission to the program, provide orientation to the participant on their apartment, building, neighborhood, community, etc. Introduce them to neighbors as appropriate. • May provide assistance to the participant in learning the public transportation system and community resources available to them. • May need to provide participants with assistance and/or training with housekeeping tasks. • Complete SPDAT (Service Prioritization Decision Assessment Tool) for all assigned participants according to schedule/policy and procedure. • Utilizing the results of the SPDAT, define the process for attainment of goals with measurable step-by-step objectives based on the participants input. • Develop the PDP with the participant, documenting measurable goals/objectives and process for attainment. • Once completed, submit PDP to Team Leader for review/approval. • Ensure that PDP is in compliance with all regulations and guidelines as per policy and procedure. • Monitor and assess participants progress towards individualized goals/objectives on the PDP and document results. • Regularly review the goals/objectives with the participant and revise as appropriate and/or based on the participants input and desires. • Conduct homes visits with participants. • Utilizing your clinical skills, provide participants with counseling and support. • Serve as a liaison between program staff, program providers, direct care staff, and other support providers, providing modeling, training, clinical input, and guidance to non-clinical program staff. • Provide crisis intervention as necessary. • Provide services utilizing Motivational Interviewing, Harm reduction principles, and Trauma-informed care.
Additional Responsibilities
• Masters Level Social Worker must be registered with the Department of Health as an intern within 1 month of hire. • Receive regular, ongoing, clinical supervision under the guidance of a state-approved qualified supervisor, documenting hours; actively working towards licensure. • Engage in advocacy on behalf of participants. • Facilitate assessments and information gathering and share findings with staff. • Research and recommend resources based on participants, needs, and desires. • Make referrals as dictated by the participants desires and as appropriate. • Assist staff with interaction and intervention with participants during activities or outings. • Collaborate and communicate with employment consultant and job coach, if appropriate. • Participate in the job search when relevant. • Participate in and provide skill development opportunities in resume development, completion of job application, transportation arrangements, practice interviews, and other pre-employment skills and activities. • Facilitate support and/or therapeutic groups. • Plan/research appropriate/relevant topics, provide materials, schedule workshops and special events, and engage speakers. • Motivate participants to attend and actively participate. • Complete case note documentation ensuring notes are detailed, comprehensive, address participants involvement with their PDP, and documents participants progress or lack thereof towards goal/objective attainment. • Ensures a case note is completed for every contact made with the participant as well as for every contact made on behalf of a participant. • Complete file reviews as directed by Management, the Team Leader, and/or policy and procedure. • Ensure that the case files and participant records are comprehensive, accurate, and complete. • Ensure required forms are updated according to regulation and/or policy and procedure. • Ensure file is in compliance with regulations and requirements. • Enter participant updates and information into databases in accordance with policy and procedures. • Collect and calculate statistics by participant and submit to referring agencies as directed by the Team Leader.
Work Environment and Requirements
• General office environment • Regular pushing, pulling, stretching, reaching, kneeling, stooping, and bending • Occasional lifting and/or carrying up to 30 lbs • Regular travel • Computer and usual peripherals, word processing, spreadsheets, and software programs, standard office equipment, safety equipment, automobile, large passenger van, or wheelchair-accessible van, as required
Knowledge and Skills
• Masters Degree in Social Services or Mental Health Counseling or related field • Minimum of one (1) year case management experience and/or experience working with the homeless population preferred • Willingness to work in a fast-paced environment supporting clients living in a housing first program • Experience with mental health, substance abuse, and knowledge of trauma • Flexibility and adaptability to ensure that all services are person-centered • CPR and First Aid training preferred • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite • Excellent communication skills required • Ability to establish and maintain rapport with participants, community stakeholders, employers, and referral agents • Excellent time management, problem-solving skills, and organizational skills • Must have a valid Florida drivers license, valid insurance, reliable transportation for travel to outlying locations, and the ability to be insured under the companys vehicle insurance policy.