Social Worker

The Social Worker is a member of a multidisciplinary team that provides special education services to preschoolers with disabilities. This person has the responsibility of functioning as a liaison between home, school and the community, to support the optimal functioning of children in the program. The social worker provides information and support to families and school staff, as well as providing counseling or parent education services as identified on individualized education programs (IEPs), in accordance with New York State regulations. The social worker also works as an advocate for families and children and connects families to resources in the community.

Responsibilities

• Develop professional, positive, and productive relationships with children, families, agency staff, visitors, outside agencies, and the general public
• Express a supportive and caring demeanor to relate sensitively to children, families, teaching staff, and multidisciplinary providers
• Coordinate intake for the program and facilitate the enrollment process with families, including managing referrals, providing tours of the program, and assisting families with completing enrollment paperwork
• Provide case management services to families to provide information and to connect families to community resources
• Participate in team meetings concerning diagnostic and treatment needs of specific children
• Act as a consultant for teachers and support staff regarding behavioral interventions, child or family health/mental health concerns, family dynamics, community supports and resources, or other issues that arise and are under the purview of social work
• Identify families in need of support with the holidays, and assist them with referrals to community agencies and/or Elmcrest holiday resources
• Collaborate with team members and community service providers to provide continuum of care
• Provide individual counseling for children or parent training/education services to families according to student IEPs
• Maintain contemporaneous session notes for all therapy sessions provided in accordance with student IEPs, per the guidance of the New York State Preschool/School Supportive Health Services Program (SSHSP)
• Review IEPs for all children on the caseload, and provide written updates for regular progress reporting and for annual reviews
• Support families with understanding CPSE and CSE information/processes, as well as with the transition from preschool to kindergarten
• Attend CPSE and/or CSE meetings to help determine appropriate programming for children
• Provide regular feedback, information, and crisis intervention support for parents as needed
• Coordinate visits with families at their homes and/or at community locations for program enrollment and additional needs as they arise
• Offer parent workshops/parent groups to address topics of need or interest for families
• Attend training/conferences for professional development and to meet continuing education requirements for licensure
• Follow all State Education regulations and Elmcrest program policies and procedures, as well as ESM School District policies and procedures
• Adhere to all scope of practice standards pertaining to the field of Social Work in New York State
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Early Education Program Administrator
• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) required
• New York State Department of Education licensure preferred: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Experience with young children
• Knowledge of mental health diagnoses, behavioral disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory integration, and developmental issues
• Knowledge of child development
• An ability to work independently
• Team player ~ able to work in a collaborative teaming environment
• Driving license and vehicle to use for transportation to homes and community settings
  
  

Essential Job Qualifications

• Ability to lift 50 pounds without assistance
• Ability to sit, squat, crouch and stand for elongated periods of time
• Ability to lift arms over head in upward reaching motion
• Ability to walk up and down stairs up to several times per day