Job Summary:

The Community Social Worker I will work to support the mission of Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation. The Community Social Worker 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.

Scheduled Work Times/Locations: Monday – Friday, 8:30AM – 4:30PM; Hartford, CT

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Establish a positive rapport with the caseload of 15-20 clients who are homeless or at risk who are 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 and CLAMP format, within the 72-hour time frame, complete six month periodic 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 so that they 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 is required between the Hartford and Middletown areas.

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

• $23-$25 per hour, based on experience plus generous incentive compensation plan.
• Community Housing Advocates provides a generous employee benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, short- and long-term disability, and tuition reimbursement. Full-time employees receive 10 days of PTO (paid time off) per year, plus 11 paid holidays and one (1) Floating Holiday and 40 Hours of Accrued Paid Sick Leave.