Aging Services Case Manager (West NORC)

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults through-out Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families. The Isaacs Center focuses primarily on the needs of children and low-income families, out-of-school and out-of-work youth, and aging New Yorkers. We operate at community centers located in the neighborhoods of East Harlem and Yorkville, and seek to deliver programs that are impactful, innovative, and intergenerational.

Program Description: The West Side NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities) promotes the concept of “aging in place” by providing a myriad of services for residents which enable them to remain in their homes and lead healthy and fulfilling lives. The Goddard Riverside West Side NORC is comprised of five cluster buildings on the upper west side and serves residents age 60 . Comprehensive services include social work/case assistance/management services, health promotion services, recreational/educational/social group activities, as well as other support services provided by on-site Goddard Riverside staff.

Position Summary: The Case Manager provides individualized services to enable seniors to live independently. The Social Worker works with residents, their families, and support systems to access any additional services that promote healthy, safe and meaningful lives. Specific services include: assistance with applications and recertifications for benefits, including Medicare, Medicaid, long term care, SNAP, HEAP, accessing Food Resources, referrals and providing connections to medical care, in-home care, legal services, collaboration with the NORC VNS Nurse, and coordination with NORC case assistance services such as chore assistance, escort services, home visits, telephone reassurance calls. Additional services include helping NORC members access educational, cultural and recreational activities that provide a sense of value, well-being and community.

Schedule: Monday-Friday (35 hours per week, 9:00am-5:00pm)

Salary Range:  $48,000 - $52,000

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate’s number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Roles, Responsibilities and Essential Duties

• Provides case assistance services to seniors in housing development and surrounding communities.
• Develops care plans to promote client self-determination; to assist seniors with staying in the community; and to promote healthy and independent aging.
• Conducts psychosocial registration assessments and makes referrals as appropriate.
• Conduct outreach to potential members and engage members with low attendance
• Provides assistance with Benefit and Entitlement applications, recertifications, or makes appropriate referrals for additional assistance and services.
• Provides supportive counseling to seniors and their families. Make referrals to mental health agencies as appropriate.
• Provides assistance with social action and advocacy initiatives.
• Prepares documentation (assessments, case logs, case notes, etc.) as stipulated by contractual and agency standards and procedures.
• Prepares reports, as required.
• May be assigned to handle more involved cases
• Performs other duties as required
• Participate in staff meetings, interdisciplinary case conferences, supervision, and training
• Assist with outreach efforts to increase participation through new registrations and reassessments. Ensure timely response and follow-up to referrals made.
• Ensure participants gain access and opportunities to a whole range of social services, wellness education, socialization, arts and culture, and recreation activities through the programming at the Isaacs Center.
• Plan and implement group for members.
• Develop professional provider relationships with older adults, their families and caretakers guided by standards of professional social work practice. This will include counseling, crisis intervention, follow up reassurance phone calls, advocacy, information/referral and in- office meetings.
• Develop an individualized service plan, with mutually agreed upon goals and objectives and reassess on a regular and consistent basis.
• Develop, maintain and continually update a directory of supportive services and agencies available to residents within the local community. Lead committees with participants including Inclusivity, Hospitality, Social Action, and Program Planning Committees. Coordinate regular trips with participants to cultural sights, as well as shopping and appointments
• Advocates for clients’ rights, entitlements, and other benefits. Develop and foster strong relationships with consultants, community partners, and government agencies.
• Submit weekly Dashboard and Service Log reports that details activities, including statistics and data on client outcomes. Prepare documentation (assessments, case logs, case notes, etc.) as stipulated by contractual and agency standards and procedures. Complete case notes and log outcome measurement data
• Work with supervisor in conjunction with the NYC Department for the Aging, New York State Office for the Aging, and Goddard Riverside to ensure that the appropriate processes for staff are in compliance with personnel policies and procedures

Education/Skills/Experience

• Bachelor of Social Work or Human Services and 2 years experience working in case management.
• Working with the elderly highly preferred
• Bilingual, English/Spanish is preferred.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Ability to work some flexible hours (e.g., evenings, weekends, Thanksgiving or Christmas Holiday)
• Working knowledge of community resources and service providers to older adults.
• Ability to work effectively with culturally, economically and educationally diverse populations.
• Ability to form positive interpersonal relations in dealing with a wide range of staff as well as external contacts
• Strong verbal, written, technological, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of working with the elderly and knowledge of the process and issues of aging, including disability, mental health and abuse issues. Must be flexible in dealing with others.
• Computer literacy including ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to circulate within the center, engage with clients in common areas, and escort individuals to appointments as needed.
• Ability to stand and walk frequently during programming activities.
• Ability to travel locally for home visits, hospital visits, and fieldwork.
• Work environment includes a senior center located in a NYCHA facility, with shared office space

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Salary : $48,000 - $52,000