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, menta…