Social Worker (MSW)

Social Worker

Under the direction of program leadership, Social Workers provide support, crisis counseling and assistance for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families seeking crisis intervention services, assisting with securing eligibility for OPWDD services and coordinating connection to necessary supports during stressful times. Receives referrals, reviews eligibility and conducts on-site, in-person and virtual intakes, coordinating and following up with various parties to obtain and maintain documentation and updates needed to support eligibility for services for an assigned caseload. Serves as an advocate for the people we support and their families, regularly liaising with circles of support and a variety of internal and external partners to provide short-term crisis intervention services, including assessments, behavior management and crisis counseling and to assist participants with navigating, coordinating and connecting to services or other available resources. Under appropriate clinical supervision, provides behavior management support and in-person crisis counseling and facilitates parent/caregiver education, including developing content for parent support groups. Participates in discharge planning to position participants for success in transition to long-term services in collaboration with the Crisis Intervention team.

Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Manages an assigned caseload of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) receiving crisis intervention services, assisting with securing and maintaining eligibility for services by regularly coordinating with persons supported, their families, internal and external partners or providers to facilitate access to available supports during stressful times.
• Receives and reviews referrals and inquiries for persons with I/DD to crisis intervention services, answering questions regarding services, OPWDD eligibility, clinical and/or medical necessity criteria and assisting with scheduling of appointments needed to connect individuals to services, including intake meetings.
• Conducts in-person intake meetings/home visits to assess service needs with individuals and their families, serving as the primary contact for assigned cases, determining status of or need for evaluations with team, and providing ongoing assistance, coaching and support to families in navigating available services, resources and OPWDD eligibility by coordinating with all applicable parties to schedule assessments and secure required documentation.
• Provides ongoing case management for assigned participants, including in-person home visits and on-site sessions to provide necessary support services, behavior management, crisis counseling and parent/caregiver education to address specific challenges or needs, under appropriate clinical supervision.
• Conducts in-home crisis counseling with persons supported and their families to enhance coping skills and identify solutions to problems, appropriately documenting and assessing progress, changing needs and necessary supports, including for participants outside of caseload, as needed; collaborates with Assistant Social Workers regarding crisis counseling services for persons supported on their caseload to ensure coordination of services.
• Advocates for persons supported and their families with community-based organizations, medical providers or specialists and governmental agencies to connect people we support and their families with appropriate resources and services, accompanying families to appointments as needed.
• Schedules and facilitates parent/family support groups by leading and moderating group discussions on a variety of topics and regarding available resources relating to self-care, reducing stress and behavior management skills using prescribed curriculums.
• Collects feedback and information from parents and families regarding interests and potential topics for parent/family support groups and collaborates with Crisis Intervention team to develop and enhance curriculums, participating in the development of content and identification of related resources and services, including from external sources in collaboration with the team.
• Participates in interdisciplinary care planning for the people we support and their families, providing information and updates regarding assigned caseload and crisis counseling sessions with other participants, identifying additional needs for persons supported and/or their families, making recommendations and collaborating with program leadership to determine and implement appropriate supports and resources to promote stabilization.
• Completes all necessary documentation for persons supported in a timely manner and in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations, maintaining and updating files in appropriate formats, files and systems.
• Coordinates regularly with Crisis Intervention team regarding discharges, collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to develop comprehensive discharge plans to support successful transitions to ongoing services, including receiving and sharing information regarding supports, effective interventions and recommendations with families and/or internal and external providers.
• Participates in utilization/quality assurance reviews for crisis intervention program, assisting with review of files, documents and notes for completeness and coordinating with other parties to obtain and update records with other members of the team.
• Conducts in-person outreach presentations regarding YAI's crisis intervention services and other related programs at YAI or other locations across the boroughs of New York City, including to external audiences, as requested.
• Attends events including YAI Network, outreach and community-based meetings to network and present on crisis intervention program to increase awareness of and interest in available services; may assist with planning and coordinating events and/or presentations.
• Complies with all Federal, State, Local and other relevant regulatory agency requirements and ensures cooperation with appropriate entities in any inspection, inquiry or investigation.
• Performs all other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g. lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)

• Master's degree in Social Work; and
• Familiarity with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), behavioral and/or mental health diagnoses.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to accurately communicate, collect and present information, both verbally and in writing.
• Self-directed, highly organized with good time management, record-keeping and follow-up skills, including the ability to appropriately prioritize multiple tasks to meet prescribed timelines and meet needs of persons supported.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and resolve concerns or issues during unanticipated challenges, including sound judgment and appropriate handling of safety and security concerns during behavioral/mental health crises.
• Ability to work autonomously and work well in groups, including building relationships and working collaboratively with people at all levels, including internal staff, circles of support and external parties.
• Proficiency with computers and electronic systems, including electronic health record (EHR) and Microsoft Office, specifically Outlook, Word and Excel and the ability to quickly learn to use common office equipment and various electronic systems and software programs (e.g. Workday, Digital Agency, etc.) to complete essential tasks.
• Ability to travel regularly across New York City, including to non-YAI settings as required by caseload to conduct intakes, provide services, facilitate groups and/or presentations and to travel to local headquarters or other regions, on occasion.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including occasional evening hours as required by caseload or for presentations or other events.
• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms; use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds on occasion; having the physical capacity to work with and implement emergency interventions as per the person's Behavior Support Plan if/as needed, including lifting/moving individuals of any weight with or without assistance of equipment and/or other staff.

Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above)

• At least one (1) year of experience working with individuals with I/DD including direct support, case management and/or securing resources.
• Familiarity with benefits and entitlements for individuals with I/DD, specifically OPWDD eligibility requirements and/or processes.
• Verbal and/or written fluency in a second language, ideally Spanish; verbal fluency in Spanish may be required based on assigned caseload or contract.

$60,000 annually

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To ensure fairness, safeguard transparency, and promote an equitable workforce environment, YAI Network prohibits the practice of nepotism in the workforce and hiring process.