Community Social Worker

Mercy Housing & Shelter Corp • Hartford, CT

164d • $23 - $25

About The Position

The Community Social Worker I will work to support the mission of Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation and the HERO program. The Community Social Worker I will work with our clients to help achieve independence and stability in their communities by providing housing and supportive services. The Community Social Worker I primary responsibility is to connect clients/consumers to attain adequate, safe housing, maintain and sustain income, receive and participate in health/behavioral healthcare and other supports.

Requirements

• Documentation skills including good oral and written comprehension, computer literacy, accurate and timely documentation and record keeping abilities.
• Ability to use critical thinking skills and develop sound reasoning/logic when formulating solution focused treatment plans and engaging with clients.
• Excellent time management skills: ability to manage, organize and prioritize flow of work.
• Ability to motivate clients.
• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college/university or two-three years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably with homeless persons, persons with mental illness and/or substance abuse.
• Must have reliable transportation, valid Connecticut driver’s license and clean driving record with proof of automobile insurance.

Nice To Haves

• Bi-Lingual, Spanish/English preferred.
• Preferred knowledge of fair housing laws.

Responsibilities

• Establish a positive rapport with the client/consumer to assess and build on the strengths and resources to build an effective network of supports to draw upon during their recovery journey.
• Caseload of 15-20 clients who are currently experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness and have an Opioid Use Disorder diagnosis, or of another substance use disorder with a high risk of overdose.
• Conduct home and community visits to assist the client/consumer with finding adequate housing, connect with community services/providers and benefits.
• Develop and implement a recovery plan of short and long-term goals with each client/consumer that addresses identified needs in areas such as housing and lease, arrears and debts, income and benefits, support services and resources, health, parenting and child services to work on strategies and identify resources.
• Evaluates the clients/consumers psychological or behavioral needs, developmental abilities, cultural influences, and trauma history which would be related to their recovery.
• Monitor and assess documented recovery plans quarterly to guarantee that the goals of the recovery plans are achieved.
• Connect clients/consumers with identifying services and supports to increase participation in community activities, interpersonal, family, and social engagements.
• Enter client/consumer case notes into HMIS to document encounters/engagements within the 72-hour time frame, complete the HERO acuity and assessment to guide the recovery plan to be submitted every six (6) months.
• Collaborate with property management, landlords and/or rental assistance administrator to assist with completion of recertifications, housing inspections, along with identify and reduce risks to housing stability, providing interventions to remedy any lease violations.
• Linkage with eviction prevention to support the client/consumer with maintain housing.
• Address crises and coordinating emergency interventions.
• Collaborate with treatment teams to ensure coordination of care to assess if it is best suited for client/consumers recovery.
• Attend initial appointments with clients/consumers when with new service providers to support established effective working relationships. Seen as a “Warm Hand-off”.
• Act as liaison with other agencies but not limited to, DSS, SSI, HOPWA/ACT, and other social and vocational agencies to advocate for and assist clients.
• Attend relevant CAN meetings as requested by their supervisor and participate in Case Management meetings, conferences, seminars, and trainings as required.
• Prepare for and facilitate group meetings for clients on a variety of topics beneficial to their health and human service needs.
• Travel is required within the Hartford County area or as needed.
• Monthly management of updating data into Smartsheet and the Homeless Management Information System HMIS for data input/integrity including annual and periodic updates and assessments as relevant
• Maintain complete and up-to-date client files to assure overall compliance with agency standards utilizing the assigned programs Master List.
• Enter client case notes using the GIRP format, within the 72-hour time frame, complete six month and annual assessments and service plans to be submitted every six (6) months.
• Follow proper intake & discharge procedures, when a client is discharged, with attention to recordkeeping and referrals.

Benefits

• Community Housing Advocates provides a generous employee benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, short- and long-term disability, and tuition reimbursement.
• Full-time employees receive 10 days of PTO (paid time off) per year, plus 11 paid holidays and one (1) Floating Holiday and 40 Hours of Accrued Paid Sick Leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level