Crisis Team Caseworker

Department of Health and Human Services • South Portland, ME

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is for a Human Services Caseworker within the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The role involves performing professional social work for eligible adults with developmental disabilities, including case management, coordinating services, and participating in care planning. The caseworker will advocate for and coordinate services, conduct regular client visits for needs assessment and safety, maintain accurate case records, evaluate service impact, monitor community-based Medicaid Waiver programs, and participate in crisis resolution. This includes collaborating with Adult Protective Services and Crisis Prevention/Intervention Services, complying with state policies on information security and confidentiality, composing and reviewing correspondence, recommending program improvements, interpreting policies, and representing the program at public meetings. The role also involves monitoring and moving clients onto necessary waivers and assisting with other special projects as assigned by the Crisis Program Administrator. The Crisis program operates 24 hours a day, but the Crisis Case Manager hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with weekends and holidays off. This position reports directly to the Crisis Program Administrator.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution in Social Work/Social Welfare; OR a bachelor’s degree in a related social service/social welfare/social work area which includes at least 12 courses in behavioral science, social science, or social work.
• At least 3 years’ experience working providing support services and/or direct care to clients and families with developmental disabilities or a directly related human service field.
• Strong organization skills.
• Experience with Positive Support Plans.
• Must have or be eligible for conditional or full licensure at the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) level as issued by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure.
• Possession of a valid Class C Maine Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
• Transcripts must be submitted with application materials.

Nice To Haves

• A relevant Masters degree (for an additional $1.00/hour stipend).

Responsibilities

• Perform professional social work for eligible adults with developmental disabilities, including case management.
• Coordinate the provision of services including housing, employment, direct supports, and the promotion of community inclusion.
• Participate in care planning which includes plan writing and extensive documentation.
• Provide case management activities for adults under guardianship/conservatorship including medical, psychiatric, and placement.
• Advocating for and coordinating provision of services including reviewing, analyzing, and documenting person-centered plans, care plans and behavior plans.
• Visiting clients regularly for ongoing assessment of needs and safety including assessing living arrangements and support systems.
• Maintaining accurate case records of assessments, activities, and plans; writing summaries, reports, letters, and memos.
• Discussing and documenting progress with the individual and the treatment team.
• Evaluating impact of services and exercising discretion in decision making in order to determine the continued need for, modification or in some cases, termination of services.
• Monitoring community-based Medicaid Waiver programs and documenting progress and outcomes.
• Participating in crisis resolution using crisis intervention techniques and skills.
• Collaborating with Adult Protective Services and Crisis Prevention/Intervention Services when necessary to stabilize and secure emergency needs.
• Comply with the requirements of State Policies, including those concerning human resource components of security protocols of agency information security and confidentiality policies for state business purposes.
• Independently compose, review, edit, and/or approve correspondence.
• Review, evaluate, and provide recommendations on program policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Educate the public regarding the implementation of systems operations and assist with the associated workflow.
• Develop and recommend new work methods and administrative policies/procedures to improve existing work practices.
• Apply to non-routine individual cases an explanation and interpretation of applicable rules, regulations, and policies.
• Liaise between supervisor and internal and external sources on key matters.
• Interpret and implement the policies and decisions of superiors.
• Represent supervisor/program at public meetings, including explaining organizational, program, and/or project goals.
• Monitor, track and move DS clients onto necessary waivers who are in emergency transitional housing.
• Other special projects as assigned by the Crisis Program Administrator.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays
• 12 days of sick leave
• 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
• Health Insurance Coverage (State pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums)
• Health Insurance Premium Credit (Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%)
• Dental Insurance (State pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums)
• Retirement Plan (Maine Public Employees Retirement System - MainePERS)
• Six weeks of fully paid parental leave
• Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

What This Job Offers

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