SAP Liaison

WESTMORELAND CASEMANAGEMENT AND SUPPORTS INC•Hempfield Township, PA

28d•$29 - $0•Onsite

About The Position

This is a Full-Time/10 month/non-exempt position that is responsible for performing Student Assistance Program (SAP) duties by consulting and educating school personnel, students, and parents in barriers to learning such as behavioral health and/or substance abuse issues. The SAP Liaison will be responsible for initial assessment/screening of students who may have a variety of behavioral, and/or mental health needs, substance use or abuse, and personal difficulties which interfere with their daily functioning. Primary work hours will be Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a 1/2-hour lunch (37.5 hrs./week) unless otherwise agreed upon and/or earlier depending on the needs of the assigned school district. SAP services are provided to children/adolescents and their families in an education setting and/or in the community when applicable. The SAP Liaison is an integral part of a team which identifies students at risk, assesses their needs and removes barriers to the learning process. Compliance: As with all WCSI positions, it is the expectation that employees adhere to WCSI, County, State and Federal guidelines, regulation, policies, and laws which govern the business and service of WCSI as well as regulations governing the Behavioral Health program. This position requires the employee to perform their daily job duties and responsibilities in a structured work environment.

Requirements

Two years of experience as a County Caseworker 2; or A bachelor’s degree in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences and three years of professional social casework experience in public or private social services agency; or Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice or other related social sciences.
Effectively communicate and problem solve with all individuals involved in SAP; strong interpersonal skills, effective oral and written communication skills required.
Valid PA Driver’s License, Proof of Valid Auto Insurance, Act 34 (Criminal Record), and Act 33 (Child Abuse) and FBI Clearance.
There will be monthly screenings of PA Medicheck List, LEIE (List of Excluded Individuals/Entities) and SAM (System for Award Management).
This position requires the availability and utilization of the employee’s personal vehicle, for purposes of transportation to and from work appointments.
Transportation of clients in personal vehicles is not permitted, as agency vehicles are available for this purpose.
As a requirement of employment, certain personal information (Birth Date, Driver’s License, Diplomas, Transcripts, etc.) can be shared in a confidential communication as related to regulations, licensure, and/or insurance carrier contracts.
As with all WCSI positions, this position will adhere to all random drug screening requirements, as set forth by WCSI Policy.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to operate a motor vehicle, sit, stand, walk, bend and lift objects of up to 10 pounds.
The employee regularly uses a computer, phone, fax, copier, and other essential office equipment to carry out daily work assignments.
The employee will be required to operate a motor vehicle.
Substantial problem solving in response to urgent/emergency situations which may require immediate action is an expectation.

Responsibilities

Consultation Services-For general inquiries about mental health community services and resources and to their assigned SAP core team for student specific SAP referrals
Clinical Assessment Services-with student and/or parent/guardian consent, complete the SAP clinical assessment with the student and at least one parent/family member/guardian.
Provide the student/family and SAP core team with the recommendations following the clinical assessment.
Refer and link the student to the recommended services from the clinical assessment.
Follow the student/family until the recommended services have started.
Provide relevant trainings to students, parents, and/or school faculty (as requested by school and/or with county approval for training needs identified by the SAP Liaison organization)
Provide co-facilitation with school faculty to students for psycho education and/or support group services relevant to youth mental health topics (as requested by the school and/or with county approval for group needs identified by the SAP Liaison organization)
Summer activities for students include but are not limited to small group/psychoeducational group facilitation, trainings, and community outreach events.
Provide Emergency Behavioral Health services to schools/communities experiencing a mental health school wide and/or community event involving a student, family, and/or school faculty.
Work with the county crisis team responders as necessary for student specific mental health crisis events and assist in the completion of a petition for involuntary commitment.
The SAP liaison shall provide assessment services to students and their family members when necessary and following core team support; assessments will include the identified student and at least one parent/guardian and be conducted in the school environment and/or a location that is appropriate for all parties involved.
The SAP liaison shall continue to track, or follow, the student and family throughout the remainder of the school year and/or a time in which the recommended services have started and can be verified by the SAP liaison.
SAP Liaisons are also trained as members of the Emergency Behavioral Health Team and shall be expected to respond to an emergency mental health crisis event in their assigned district; the SAP Liaison shall provide postvention support to the school administrators, faculty members, and students, as necessary.
When warranted, the SAP Liaison shall work closely with the mental health crisis responders to provide additional support to their school district and shall also assist in the completion of documentation for an involuntary commitment petition.
Extensive knowledge of theories, principles, and techniques related to services provided.
Ability to establish/maintain effective working relationship with clients, associates, and agency personnel.
Must maintain knowledge of community resources and have ability to facilitate coordination of activities and/or small groups.
Able to work independently, be flexible, and adjust work hours based on program and client needs.
Display a professional standard of effective teamwork.
The mission of the SAP Liaison is to provide support to school districts in their collaborative process to identify, assess, and refer students with drug & alcohol and/or mental health needs that are a barrier to their school success.
The primary goal is that students with identified needs are receiving the appropriate services in the least restrictive environment, the student remains in the school setting, and the student/family is confident in their ability to access services in their community.
It is also the goal of the SAP Liaison services that the school district has an increased understanding of social services available for students and families in the county and that school district is supported by the liaison during a mental health crisis event.
Assessment Services-with student and/or parent/guardian consent, complete the SAP assessment with the student and at least one parent/family member/guardian.
Provide the student/family and SAP core team with the recommendations following the assessment.
Refer and link the student to the recommended services from the assessment.
Follow the student/family until they are connected to recommended services and/or throughout the school year.
Provide Emergency Behavioral Health services to schools/communities experiencing a mental health school wide and/or community event involving a student, family, and/or school faculty.
Work with the county crisis team responders as necessary for student specific mental health crisis events and assist in the completion of a petition for involuntary commitment.
At minimum bi-monthly supervision meetings will occur.
The supervision will review current assignments, issues and concerns.
The supervision will be documented and acknowledged by the employee.
The employee will be expected to follow the general instructions provided, complete assignments without further intervention on the part of the supervisor.