Social Worker - Community Guardian Program

Jewish Association for Services for the Aged•New York, NY

About The Position

Through an on-site interdisciplinary team of professional staff, JASA’s Community Guardian Program serves as the court-appointed legal guardian of hundreds of adults across the five boroughs, providing them with critical services and supports with the goal of keeping them in their respective communities and as independent as possible. JASA's Community Guardian Program serves some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers, including the seriously and persistently mentally ill, the homeless and formerly homeless, and people facing eviction.

Requirements

Graduate of an Accredited College or University with a Master of Social Work or equivalent Master’s level degree in counseling, psychology, gerontology or related field.
Good writing and record keeping skills
Must be computer literate, including the ability to learn and operate software.
Ability to travel within the 5 boroughs to client homes or current place of residence.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Understanding and appreciation of the roles of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, and individual values as they relate to serving clients and families.

Responsibilities

Maintain oversight and monitor the status of all clients on caseload.
Evaluate and assess client’s capacity to manage their own affairs and protect themselves from financial exploitation.
Advocate on behalf of the client.
Seek appropriate guidance from the supervisor in situations requiring clarification and consultation especially for cases that meet the high risk criteria.
Monitor the disbursement of monies as issued through JASA relief funds or client financial management services to secure needed goods and services.
Screen the client for program eligibility, conducts triage for emergency interventions, ascertains short-term needs, and provides appropriate information and referral services to clients, families, and collaterals. Refer to, and maintains a cooperative relationship with, other community agencies to meet the needs of clients.
Conduct referrals for the direct provision of those benefits including housekeeping, home health aides, public assistance, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, legal aid, protective services, medical and psychiatric evaluations, etc.
Develop and implement a service plan to provide a full range of social services geared towards the client’s direct needs.
Utilize HRA and agency databases to input client data, case records and other client related documentation.
Screen client eligibility for benefits and entitlements.
Complete required case records, reports and statistics within mandated timeframes, utilizing computers and mobile devices as required.
Conduct in-home, facility and community visits within the 5 boroughs to evaluate client functioning, monitor risk, and assess current services in place.
Attend court hearings and represents the program at community conferences and meetings.
Emergency Schedules—In certain crisis situations, such as “cold weather days” requiring visitations of clients lacking heat, or scheduled appointments for emergency medical or psychiatric evaluations, initiating emergency home care services, or implementing court-ordered protective actions.
May be required to report to work outside of normally scheduled work week, including evenings, weekends and holidays. Work closely with law enforcement and ACT/AOT Teams as needed for assistance.
Participate in staff trainings.
Perform such other duties as assigned.