Social Worker (Behavioral Health - CCS Intake)

Social Worker Behavioral Health Position

The Dane County Human Services Department has a full-time (1.0 FTE) vacancy for a Social Worker Behavioral Health position located within the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program in Madison, WI. The eligibility list created will be used to fill future vacancies of the same classification over the next six (6) months. All are encouraged to apply.

As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

Under the direction of the assigned Unit Supervisor, this position works with individuals in the community to assess their psychosocial needs, determine eligibility for specific services, connect them with identified programs, and in some instances provide service facilitation or case management.

Comprehensive Community Services (CCS)/Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS): Conducts comprehensive assessments to support and direct service needs. Creates person-centered Recovery Plans and CLTS support plans for eligible children and youth. Authorizes appropriate therapeutic and supportive services. Monitors service utilization and effectiveness and updates plans as indicated. Conducts recovery team meetings minimally every other month. Maintains regular contact with service providers and collaterals via phone, email and other correspondence. Updates and adjusts services as needed to ensure all of the client's identified functional needs are met. Assists with crisis related client challenges as needed during office hours. Conducts home visits. Works with the Supervisor to report any critical incidents or use of restrictive measures to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Youth Connect Crisis Stabilization Program: Completes comprehensive assessment to inform family-driven and youth-guided crisis and crisis response plans. Responds to youth and their caregivers to de-escalate behaviors, prevent return to inpatient setting, and establish safety plan. Assists families in recognizing high risk behaviors. Teaches, model, and practice coping skills and effective de-escalation interventions. Completes and documents suicide risk assessment during interactions with youth. Assists family in-person an average of once per week. Collaborates with families to identify areas of need and provide direct assistance with securing resources to meet long-term needs. Identifies and fosters natural support systems. Establishes support and service linkage plan, complete necessary referrals, and maintain communication with all programs referred to. Coordinates and convenes regular team meetings. Maintains detailed, timely, and accurate clinical records, including service notes for all interactions. Obtains releases of information, and share information with system partners to promote continuity of care. Transports, or coordinates transportation, as needed to support processes of stabilization.

Comprehensive Community Services (CCS - Intake): Under the direction of a Social Work Supervisor, determines program eligibility for persons with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders seeking Medicaid CCS. Meets with persons who have a mental health and/or substance use diagnosis to educate them about the features of the CCS program and its Recovery model. Ascertains voluntary interest in CCS participation. Gathers assessment information via direct client interview and relevant collateral contacts. Completes Department of Health Services (DHS) functional screen to determine functional eligibility. Assists consumer with obtaining physician's prescription as necessary. Ensures that all required documentation is complete and filed in a timely manner. Assists consumers with selecting a service facilitation agency and facilitates a warm transfer to that agency for ongoing services. Assesses need for immediate services and makes arrangements if necessary. For those determined ineligible or not interested in CCS, provides information and assistance in accessing alternative resources. Performs annual reassessments of eligibility with DHS functional screen. Provides community education on the CCS program. Outreaches to other service access points. Performs other duties as assigned.

Community Recovery Services (CRS): Under the direction of a Behavioral Health Program Specialist, provides direct service, program oversight, provider education, and community program coordination of the CRS benefit to eligible consumers with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Gathers clinical assessment information via direct client interview and relevant collateral contacts in order to accurately complete WI DHS Mental Health/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (MH/AODA) Functional Screen to determine functional eligibility for CRS and need for psychosocial rehabilitation. Manages active CRS caseload, including: coordination with clients, case managers, and other community service providers; completing intake, 6-month updates, annual recertification and all required documentation and submitting to WI DHS; setting placement rates based on clinical need through use of the residential rate setting tool and individual placement agreements. Oversees Medical Assistance (MA) billing for services and identify, address, and resolve any issues, in collaboration with Dane County Department of Human Services (DCDHS) billing staff. Understands and implements all CRS benefit rules, updates, and changes from the Wisconsin DHS and Forward Health. Conducts provider oversight to ensure quality service provision and compliance with all CRS standards and requirements. Maintains accurate tracking of CRS revenues and reconciliation, documentation, reviews and re-certifications, provider compliance, and other quality assurance protocol established by DCDHS. Provides education, training, and technical assistance regarding the CRS benefit, including the CRS application and referral process, service delivery requirements, staffing requirements, and documentation requirements. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience and Special Requirements

Social Worker I

Must possess a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work. Applicants who are currently in their final semester of school and are obtaining a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work will also be screened through. Applicants with any other major must possess a training, temporary or permanent Social Work Certification from the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) prior to applying.

The position requires the equivalent of one (1) year of full-time experience working in a treatment setting with persons with mental health and/or substance use disorders. Experience is defined as working directly with individuals identified as part of the target population (mental health/substance use) in a setting where the primary function is assessment, treatment, intervention, or observation of mental health and/or substance use conditions.

Social Worker II

All employees hired with a Master's degree and six (6) months of professional experience relevant to the position or a Bachelor's degree and two-and-a-half (2.5) years of professional experience relevant to the position will be hired as a Social Worker II, range 20. Time spent in an internship/field placement shall not count as professional experience. Those who do not meet these criteria upon hire will be hired as Social Worker I and will advance to Social Worker II after obtaining one of these criteria.

Applicants must also have the equivalent of one (1) year of full-time experience working in a treatment setting with persons with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Experience is defined as working directly with individuals identified as part of the target population in a setting where the primary function is assessment, treatment, intervention, or observation of mental health and/or substance use conditions.

For CCS/CLTS Positions:

This position requires the equivalent of one-year full-time experience working in a treatment setting with children and youth diagnosed with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or developmental or intellectual disabilities. Experience is defined as working directly with individuals identified as part of the target population in a setting where the primary function is assessment, treatment, intervention, or observation of children within this population.

Certifications/Licenses : All individuals must possess a degree and a training, temporary or permanent Social Work Certification from the WI DSPS prior to the first day of employment. If any applicant does not possess a training, temporary or permanent certification on the first day of employment the job offer will be rescinded and they will be terminated. Candidates with a training or temporary certificate must obtain a permanent certification within one (1) year in order to pass probation. Candidates are required to pass relevant testing to become a certified Wisconsin Functional Screener within the first 90 days of employment. Must have a valid driver's license, a good driving record and access to reliable personal transportation, or equivalent. Availability to work evenings as required by family need.

Special Requirements: Must have a valid driver's license, or access to reliable personal transportation, or equivalent. Also refer to the "Physical and Environmental Work Requirements" section below.

Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.