Community Social Worker

Scheduled Work Times/Locations

Monday – Friday, 8:30AM – 4:30PM; Hartford, CT

Job Summary:

The Community Social Worker I will work to support the mission of Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation. The Community Social I will work with our clients to help achieve independence and stability in their communities by providing housing and supportive services. The Community Social Worker I holds primary responsibility for empowering and facilitating clients to reach their goals as well as full and productive integration with the community.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Establish positive rapport with the caseload of 15-20 clients who are homeless or at risk living with disabling conditions.
• Demonstrates understanding of and evaluates clients by acknowledging individual psychological or behavioral needs, developmental abilities, cultural influences, and trauma history
• Provide comprehensive planning and active support for the care, treatment, and safety of the agency’s clients.
•  Assist clients with the development of person-centered individual service plans and goals to provide support for achievement to maintain housing, and other client- identified goals.
•  Advocate and/or assist client in receiving services identified in the planning process including resources for transportation i.e., medical cab or bus tickets and when needed transport clients.
•  Engage clients in Targeted Case Management services and enter client case notes using TCM, CLAMP format, within the 72-hour time frame, complete six month and annual assessments and service plans to be submitted every six (6) months.
•  Collaborate with property management and/or rental assistance administrator to assist with client during, recertification and housing inspections. · Perform regular Health and Safety Inspections of client units, when relevant, to ensure the quality of housing our clients reside in.
•  Engage with property management and serve as a liaison to provide mediation and advocacy with client/property management on behalf of the client to develop a workable plan to obtain or maintain housing.
•  Provide crisis intervention to ensure the clients well-being and stability to remain in the community.
•  Develop or maintain familiarity with community resources and referral processes necessary to access these resources.
•  Assist clients with the coordination of health services and, as necessary, schedules client appointments for and provides transportation to physicians, clinicians, and other health care professionals.
•  Mediate conflicts between providers, family/guardians, clients, and the agency, per the client’s needs.
•  Act as liaison with other agencies, i.e., DSS, SSI, HOPWA/ACT, and other social and vocational agencies to advocate for and assist clients.
•  Attend relevant CAN meetings as requested by their supervisor and participate in Case Management meetings, conferences, seminars, and trainings as required.
•  Prepare for and facilitate group meetings for clients on a variety of topics beneficial to their health and human service needs.
•  Travel and networking in the community.

Documentation Expectations

•  Monthly management of updating data into Smartsheet and the Homeless Management Information System HMIS for data input/integrity including annual and periodic updates and assessments as relevant
•  Maintain complete and up-to-date client files to assure overall compliance with agency standards utilizing the assigned programs Master List.
•  Enter client case notes using the GIRP format, within the 72-hour time frame, complete six month and annual assessments and service plans to be submitted every six (6) months.
•  Follow proper intake & discharge procedures, when a client is discharged, with attention to recordkeeping and referrals.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Documentation skills including good oral and written comprehension, computer literacy, accurate and timely documentation and record keeping abilities.
• Ability to use critical thinking skills and develop sound reasoning/logic when formulating solution focused treatment plans and engaging with clients.
• Excellent time management skills: ability to manage, organize and prioritize flow of work.
• Ability to motivate clients.
• Bi-Lingual, Spanish/English preferred.
• Preferred knowledge of fair housing laws.

Education and Experience:

 Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college/university or two-three years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably with homeless persons, persons with mental illness and/or substance abuse.

Licenses and Certifications

Must have reliable transportation, valid Connecticut driver’s license and clean driving record with proof of automobile insurance

Compensation & Benefits

Physical Demands

• The physical demands associated with the essential functions of this job are intermittent physical activity, such as walking, sitting and occasional lifting, stooping, bending, and reaching.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.