26-27 Social Worker - Office of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services

Somerville Public Schools•Somerville, MA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker for SFLC’s Office of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services (BNHSS) works with the BNHSS Director to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness, students in foster care, and unaccompanied youth have full access to educational programs and resources in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act regulations. The Social Worker provides immediate support and assistance and collaborates with Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) staff, school personnel, Department of Children and Families (DCF), and interagency representatives in order to ensure children and families currently experiencing homelessness receive basic needs, mental health, social and emotional supports and resources in order to reach their academic potential. As a member of the Basic Needs and Housing Support Services Office, the Social Worker will work with students and families at the time of enrollment or at the school level, oversee transportation as needed, and stay involved with the student’s school for additional service to ensure the student is adequately supported and monitored.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in human services field, with emphasis in social work.
MSW preferred and/or on track for licensure
Bilingual in Spanish and/or Portuguese required
Valid driver’s license with motor vehicle insurance preferred
Experience working with homeless, foster, and unaccompanied immigrant children and youth and/or other student populations facing barriers
Proven strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Proven time management and organizational skills.
The ability to manage priorities under changing and challenging circumstances, and timeframes.

Responsibilities

Understand all federal regulations as they pertain to the eligibility of children and provision of services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act.
Coordinate with Enrollment Office staff to assist students experiencing homelessness with obtaining documents necessary to enter school.
In collaboration with the Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services, coordinate Best Interest Determination (BID) meetings with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for students in foster care transferring schools.
In collaboration with the Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services, coordinate transportation for students experiencing homelessness and/or in foster care.
Develop, monitor, and follow through with support plans for students experiencing homelessness who are attending the Somerville Public Schools.
Conduct needs assessments of students/families with complex needs and provide needed referrals and follow-up support.
Monitor attendance and level of academic progress of students experiencing homelessness.
Implement Social Work interventions via home visits, email/phone calls/texts, community outreach/advocacy/referral, consultation with school district staff, school meetings, utilizing intensive trauma-informed individual support planning.
Maintain documentation on all services provided to children, youth and families complying with confidentiality at all levels.
Assist with medical needs (i.e., glasses, immunizations, dental and mental health) that impair school attendance and academic performance.
Assist with placing children in tutoring, mentoring, after-school, and summer programs in collaboration with SPS Out of School Time and program directors.
Assist and provide direct service to unaccompanied youth, mentor and provide case management in an effort to support them toward high school graduation.
Support and advocate for unaccompanied youth and collaborate in the provision of services to young adults participating in the GOAL Program at Somerville High School and SCALE.
Assist students experiencing homelessness with their graduation and post-graduation plans.
Engage individuals and families as partners in services and develop positive, hopeful, and trusting relationships.
Assist SPS families with information, resources and services to prevent and/or overcome homelessness.
Advocate for, and expedite services for SPS families at risk for, or currently experiencing homelessness.
Utilize crisis intervention skills, case management and community resources knowledge to support families to move toward greater family stabilization for better school performance when possible.
Advocate for resources on behalf of the student and family with state, government and private agencies.
Provide appropriate referrals to the Department of Children and Families as designated by law and school policy.
In collaboration with the Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services, coordinate with SFLC staff to assist with basic needs services and materials that benefit children, youth and families.
Mediate between students/families and other professionals directing services and care.
Hold membership in community interagency/inter-district teams relevant to addressing the needs of students/families related to housing, immigration and legal supports, mental health, food security, and basic needs and to provide appropriate referrals.
Collaborate with the Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services to build relationships and strategic partnerships with city and community agencies and external resources.
Provide partner agencies and shelters with resources and information regarding school district services.
Work with courts, social services, professionals, doctors and education systems on behalf of the individual student/family to facilitate goals and objectives related to family/students’ stabilization.
Work with the Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services to provide professional development and training to school staff on educational needs of children and youth currently experiencing, or at risk for homelessness, children in foster care, and unaccompanied youth.
Exercise discretion and independent judgment when determining a course of action.
Maintain the ability to compare and evaluate possible courses of conduct and actions, in consultations with the Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services
Recognize and demonstrate sensitivity to cultural, language, and ethnic differences
Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work with persons with severe and persistent mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbance, and the ability to react effectively in a wide variety of human service situations
Familiarity with trauma informed mental health theory, emerging promising practices, and evidence-based intervention strategies
Demonstrate understanding of the social and political causes of homelessness, transiency, and immigration and their impact on the healthy development of children and youth
Demonstrated commitment to principles of equity, removing barriers to educational participation, and belief in the potential of all students to succeed