Dukes County
Title: Human Services Caseworker
Department: Health and Human Services
Reports to: County Manager
Definition:
Provides direct client services for client self-sufficiency to prevent homelessness and assist in accessing essential social and human services. Includes client casework, outreach, networking, information and referral and special projects resulting in effective client assistance outcomes and efficient program operations. This position represents a partnership of Dukes County and the Community Action Committee of Cape Cod and Islands, Inc. (CACCI).This is a part-time position.
Supervision:
This position is under the direct supervision of the County Manager. The Human Services Caseworker must be able to exercise independent judgment.
Job Environment:
Work performed under a combination of typical office conditions, home visits, and outreach site visits. Employee works in close collaboration with: the local housing office and its programs and agencies; the Vineyard Health Care Access Program; on and off island social and human services agencies; and with CACCI and its programs Schedule must accommodate some evening meetings and/or appointments. On and off island travel may be required. Job requires making contact with other employees, general public, health, social and human service providers. This may include communicating detailed program eligibility information and/or information of a sensitive and confidential nature.
Essential Functions:
1. Conduct intake and assessment on clients for homelessness prevention and housing needs
2. Conduct intake and assessment on clients for related social and human service needs: e.g. SNAP (food stamps), fuel assistance, child care subsidies, unemployment, job training, disability claims, social security assistance, etc.
3. Educate clients about housing, social and human service programs; and make appropriate program referrals.
4. Assist clients to apply for self-sufficiency benefits including SNAP and fuel assistance.
5. Develop plan for housing relocation and/or stabilization for at-risk households including employment stabilization in collaboration with local housing programs
6. Assist clients with federal housing subsidies, foreclosure prevention (etc.)
7. Monitor progress and status of program clients’ stabilization plans which include accessing appropriate human/social services to improve individual success in meeting stabilization goals.
8. Provide client advocacy services, including telephone intake and referral, home visits as needed, and linking clients to appropriate health and human services such as transitional cash assistance; VHCAP for MassHealth/affordable insurance; SNAP (Food Stamps); WIC; elder services; counseling; child care subsidies, women’s support and more.
9. Participate in community housing networking efforts and human/social services groups as appropriate.
10. Attend mandatory grantor meetings and/or trainings as required/needed.
11. Enter data on client services in various program databases (those required by Dukes County and those required by CACCI.
12. Assist with the provision and analysis of program data as required/needed.
13. Identify and engage island agencies in participating in the DHCD BECs resource and referral system.
14. Maintain client records and all client information according to County and CACCI Policies.
15. Represent both Dukes County and CACCI in a professional manner.
16. Perform other duties as assigned.
Recommended Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience: Minimum of four years health and/or human services experience demonstrating progressively increased responsibility for program development and client casework. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred; high school degree required.
Knowledge, Ability and Skill: Knowledge of local and regional housing and related human service resources preferred; respect for client confidentiality essential. Ability to acquire and exercise detailed working knowledge of public housing programs and related programs and services. Must be able to analyze survey data, report program activity, and review institutions’ decisions regarding client applications and respond appropriately. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Bilingual Portuguese helpful. Interest and experience in housing and community services. Knowledge and understanding of low income/at-risk communities. Ability to maintain confidentiality of program and client information. Must be able to use computers, including internet applications. Ability to uphold County confidentiality policy required.
Physical Requirements: No strenuous physical demands are present in this work.
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