Social Worker

Connecticut REAP • Hamden, CT

143d

About The Position

The School Social Worker is responsible for providing clinical services and general case management as part of a treatment team for youth and families served by The Children's Center of Hamden. The School Social Worker provides leadership and guidance in clinical interventions to help remove non-academic barriers to learning within the school setting. In this role, the School Social Worker maintains a counseling caseload and offers clinical support and crisis intervention to students at Whitney Hall School. The School Social Worker also serves as a liaison with school districts, outside agencies and personnel, DCF, hospitals, insurance/managed care providers, the legal system, private consultants, and others. The School Social Worker reports to the Manager of School Social Workers or their designee at Whitney Hall School. As a member of a multidisciplinary team, the Social Worker contributes clinical expertise, strategies, and teamwork to support youth treatment.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of DSM-IV/V, child development, mental health, and substance use disorders.
• Familiarity or experience with trauma-informed practices.
• Ability to engage clients in a therapeutic relationship.
• Ability to design and implement interventions that support positive change.
• Ability to work effectively with adolescents and their families.
• Capacity to work independently while collaborating within a treatment team model.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Connecticut State Department of Education (SDE) Certification as a School Social Worker [Endorsement #071].

Responsibilities

• Knowledge and understanding of special education law, the PPT process, and IEP documentation.
• Maintain regular contact with instructional staff and treatment team members regarding clinical and educational issues, as well as inter-departmental communication about student performance.
• Provide therapeutic support and counseling to students based on IEP goals and objectives.
• Facilitate psycho-educational groups in the school setting, as needed.
• Demonstrate understanding of professional boundaries and roles within the educational system.
• Attend, participate in, and contribute to diagnostic, treatment team, case review, and discharge conferences.
• Collaborate with students' LEA from pre-admission through discharge.
• Maintain contact with and contribute to decision-making meetings involving outside agencies (e.g., DCF, juvenile courts, community resources, school districts, other treatment providers, and alternative placements).
• Create and propose social-behavioral goals, intervention plans, and objectives based on measurable student data.
• Ensure that the legal rights of students regarding privacy and confidentiality are upheld.
• Review intake materials and participate in pre-placement visits, as assigned.
• Provide crisis intervention and risk assessments for students as needed.
• Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) as recommended via the PPT process. Provide written summaries and proposed Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) for PPT review.
• Communicate with school personnel about family and community influences on student performance.
• Participate in staff and departmental meetings, in-service trainings, workshops, and conferences. Utilize supervision effectively.
• Stay current with developing educational and social trends.
• As a salaried employee, the School Social Worker may be required to stay beyond contracted hours in emergency situations.
• Successfully complete CCG (Crisis Consulting Group) training and perform physical restraints with clients when necessary.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and cultural awareness in work with diverse client populations.
• Maintain the care, welfare, safety, and security of students and staff by reporting any actual or potential safety hazards.
• Stay current with all certifications and training requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Maintains all required agency mandatory trainings.
• Maintains appropriate personal boundaries with clients and families served at The Children's Center of Hamden. Adheres to The Children's Center of Hamden's Boundary Code of Ethics.
• Is aware of the Policy and Procedure Manuals and can access information as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Administration of Human Resource Programs
• Education Level: Master's degree