26-27 Social Worker - Office of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services

Position Summary

The Social Worker for SFLC’s  Office of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services (BNHSS) works with the BNHSS Director to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness, students in foster care, and unaccompanied youth have full access to educational programs and resources in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act regulations.

The Social Worker provides immediate support and assistance and collaborates with Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) staff, school personnel,, Department of Children and Families (DCF), and interagency representatives in order to ensure children and families currently experiencing homelessness receive basic needs, mental health, social and emotional supports and resources in order to reach their academic potential.

As a member of the Basic Needs and Housing Support Services Office, the Social Worker will work with students and families at the time of enrollment or at the school level, oversee transportation as needed, and stay involved with the student’s school for additional service to ensure the student is adequately supported and monitored.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

The essential functions or responsibilities listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position

Regulatory Compliance 

• Understand all federal regulations as they pertain to the eligibility of children and provision of services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act.
• Coordinate with Enrollment Office staff to assist students experiencing homelessness with obtaining documents necessary to enter school.
• In collaboration with the Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services, coordinate Best Interest Determination (BID) meetings with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for students in foster care transferring schools.
• In collaboration with the Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services, coordinate transportation for students experiencing homelessness and/or in foster care.

Case Management, Assessment & Support Planning

• Develop, monitor, and follow through with support plans for students experiencing homelessness who are attending the Somerville Public Schools.
• Conduct needs assessments of students/families with complex needs and provide needed referrals and follow-up support.
• Monitor attendance and level of academic progress of students experiencing homelessness.
• Implement Social Work interventions via home visits, email/phone calls/texts, community outreach/advocacy/referral, consultation with school district staff, school meetings, utilizing intensive trauma-informed individual support planning.
• Maintain documentation on all services provided to children, youth and families complying with confidentiality at all levels.

Student Academic & Wellness Support

• Assist with medical needs (i.e., glasses, immunizations, dental and mental health) that impair school attendance and academic performance.
• Assist with placing children in tutoring, mentoring, after-school, and summer programs in collaboration with SPS Out of School Time and program directors.
• Assist and provide direct service to unaccompanied youth, mentor and provide case management in an effort to support them toward high school graduation.
• Support and advocate for unaccompanied youth and collaborate in the provision of services to young adults participating in the GOAL Program at Somerville High School and SCALE.
• Assist students experiencing homelessness with their graduation and post-graduation plans.

Family Support & Advocacy

• Engage individuals and families as partners in services and develop positive, hopeful, and trusting relationships.
• Assist SPS families with information, resources and services to prevent and/or overcome homelessness.
• Advocate for, and expedite services for SPS families at risk for, or currently experiencing homelessness .
• Utilize crisis intervention skills, case management and community resources knowledge to support families to move toward greater family stabilization for better school performance when possible.
• Advocate for resources on behalf of the student and family with state, government and private agencies.
• Provide appropriate referrals to the Department of Children and Families as designated by law and school policy.

Collaboration & Partnerships 

• In collaboration with the Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services, coordinate with SFLC staff to assist with basic needs services and materials that benefit children, youth and families.
• Mediate between students/families and other professionals directing services and care.
• Hold membership in community interagency/inter-district teams relevant to addressing the needs of students/families related to housing, immigration and legal supports, mental health, food security, and basic needs and to provide appropriate referrals.
• Collaborate with the Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services to build relationships and strategic partnerships with city and community agencies and external resources.
• Provide partner agencies and shelters with resources and information regarding school district services.
• Work with courts, social services, professionals, doctors and education systems on behalf of the individual student/family to facilitate goals and objectives related to family/students’ stabilization.
• Work with the Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services to provide professional development and training to school staff on educational needs of children and youth currently experiencing, or at risk for homelessness, children in foster care, and unaccompanied youth.

Professional Expectations and Knowledge

• Exercise discretion and independent judgment when determining a course of action. Maintain the ability to compare and evaluate possible courses of conduct and actions, in consultations with the Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services
• Recognize and demonstrate sensitivity to cultural, language, and ethnic differences
• Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work with persons with severe and persistent mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbance, and the ability to react effectively in a wide variety of human service situations
• Familiarity with trauma informed mental health theory, emerging promising practices, and evidence-based intervention strategies
• Demonstrate understanding of the social and political causes of homelessness, transiency, and immigration and their impact on the healthy development of children and youth
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of equity, removing barriers to educational participation, and belief in the potential of all students to succeed

Qualifications, Knowledge, Abilities, & Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in human services field, with emphasis in social work. MSW preferred and/or on track for licensure
• Bilingual in Spanish and/or Portuguese required
• Valid driver’s license with motor vehicle insurance preferred
• Experience working with homeless, foster, and unaccompanied immigrant children and youth and/or other student populations facing barriers
• Proven strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven time management and organizational skills. The ability to manage priorities under changing and challenging circumstances, and timeframes.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

• Mobility: Frequent walking, standing, and navigating stairs.
• Lifting/Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry objects ranging from 10 to 30 lbs (e.g., books, supplies, equipment).
• Physical Dexterity: Bending, crouching, kneeling, stooping, and reaching to assist students.
• Stationary Tasks: Remaining in a stationary position (sitting/standing) for long periods. 

Reporting Relationships

• Position Reports to: Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services

Terms of Employment

• Position Type: Full Time
• Work Year:Full year (260 days)
• FLSA Classification: Exempt
• Union Affiliation: Non Union
• Benefits Status: Eligible

Pre-Employment Requirements

MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Clearance

Fingerprints

The Somerville Public School does not discriminate in its programs, facilities or employment of educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, home status, marital/civil union status, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, place of birth, national origin, ancestry, cultural identity, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' group or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

Salary : $75,000 - $78,750