Choices Early Diversion Case Manager

POSITION SUMMARY: Choices, Inc. is a 501c3 organization serving adolescents with substance use and co-occurring disorders in Worcester, Massachusetts. We have received a large federal grant through SAMHSA to develop robust early diversion programming for adolescents in the Worcester area. Through strong relationship building with collaterals and staff and positive interactions with adolescents and young adults in the program, the Choices Case Worker will provide individual case intervention, stabilization and management to adolescents as part of the multi-disciplinary Choices Team.
The case worker will assess a client's current level of stability, and in collaboration with team members, create an action plan for intervention and support. Case management is a collaborative process that assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates the options and services required to meet an adolescent's health and human services needs. This is a grant funded position through SAMHSA that requires a sustainability plan beyond the 5 years of grant funding. Some key responsibilities of this position include identifying issues to be addressed, and formulating individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the Choices Social Worker and leading the team in implementation of the ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) model, a person centered community based system of care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Identify issues to be addressed, and formulate individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the Choices Social Worker.

2. Lead the team in implementation of the ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) model, a person centered community based system of care.

3. Receive and engage adolescents through a “warm hand off” from juvenile justice, courts, schools and police.

4. Develop a referral and resource network for adolescents and families.

5. Report any and all suspected cases of abuse and neglect and follow up to ensure the individual receives timely comprehensive interventions and compliance with legal mandates.

6. Identify the specifics of family involvement through the initial intake process and re-evaluate regularly.

7. Consult and collaborate with internal and external team members to ensure that the adolescent’s emotional and social needs are effectively met and stabilization factors have been queued for intervention.

8. Identify stabilization factors that are met and unmet and create an action plan for addressing unmet factors.

9. Track adolescent into most appropriate services and conduct regular session with the adolescent to ensure that they remain on track with their treatment goals.

10. Maintain confidentiality according to HIPAA and FERPA. Practice professional discretion when determining the inclusion of any information into an individual record or discussion.

11. Document each encounter in an individual record. Specifically, document ongoing intervention work. Each recording shall include date, time, title and signature.

12. Comply with departmental, regulatory and professional requirements for documentation recording and data collection.

13. Collect, aggregate and analyze data required for grant reporting.

14. Create and maintain a database of measures required for grant reporting for both individual and organizational goals in collaboration with team members.

15. Maintain competency in areas of responsibility to ensure a high level of performance.

16. Attend scheduled staff meetings and in-service education program offerings with punctuality and consistency.

17. Obtain continuing education necessary to maintain professional knowledge.

18. Identify weaknesses in operation and recommend improvements.

19. Maintain a complete understanding of emergency procedures.

20. Conform to Choices standards of conduct, including those pertaining to individual rights, so that the best possible care is provided for all.

21. Assume a leadership role in the development, use, and evaluation of educational materials for adolescents served.

22. Assist in development of curriculum and presentations for education efforts as needed.

23. Serve as a member of the Behavioral Health Partnership Workgroup.

24. Collect, aggregate and analyze required data for Diversion Grant in collaboration with program staff.

25. All other duties as directed or required for the overall success of the Choices Program.

QUALIFICATIONS:
This position requires a combination of hard and soft skills to be effective at serving adolescents’ needs.
Hard skills include a foundation in theory and practical skills to effectively advocate for adolescents. Soft skills are required to meet the adolescent’s needs with compassion and grace.

• Cultural competence, to understand and value each adolescent’s unique perspectives.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) or equivalent is required.
• At least three years supervised professional experience with an agency that provides case management services.
• Experience working with a variety of stakeholders from differing backgrounds and experiences.
• Valid MA driver’s license and reliable transportation.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

1. Ability to develop effective relationships with adolescents, families, collateral and staff..
2. Demonstrate an understanding and use of equitable and culturally responsive practices.
3. Excellent written and oral communication and problem solving skills
4. Ability to self start and execute
5. Excellent organizational skills to manage all of the moving parts of treatment planning and care and ability to create systems for data collection and record keeping.
6. Compassion, especially when teens are experiencing complex issues.
7. Exceptional listening skills, to understand what teens need and to develop a plan that will work for them.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Must be able to lift, bend, twist and reach as needed to execute job responsibilities.
• Must be able to react quickly and appropriately to the unexpected actions of at-risk adolescents and young adults.

EFFECT ON END RESULT:

All components of the Early Diversion Grant will be implemented and goals for the program will be achieved.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $42,000