This position supports The Gengras Center Students by providing individual/small group counseling and/or social skills training as appropriate and advocating for their emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. Working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, the social worker consults on the child's behavior management program and social emotional learning by providing consultative services. The role communicates regularly with families and connects them to community resources. . The social worker acts as a liaison to outside service providers, agencies, and local school districts to ensure that all services, including transitions, are coordinated to meet the students' needs.

Responsibilities (Include but are not limited to)

Counseling and Education:

• Provide counseling to students, both individually and/or in groups, as stipulated by student Individualized Education Plans.
• Use formal and informal assessment strategies and instruments to measure present level of behavioral functioning.
• Leads social skills training and groups both in and out of the classroom.
• Facilitate independent living skills training, including health, nutrition, conflict resolution, and sex education classes, as appropriate.
• Serve as a resource for parents and provide parent consultation.
• Provide parent and family education and training.

Consultation Services:

• Serve as the liaison between the home, school and community providers. .
• Provide families and care givers with information to help them understand their child's disability and equip them with resources and tools to support their child and maintain family balance.
• Meets regularly with families for training, completing state and agency paperwork, and for guidance to coordinate mental health and community support during school years and beyond.
• Serve as a liaison to the local school districts, Department of Children and Families, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Department of Developmental Services, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, psychiatrists, private practitioners, community mental health clinics, and hospital program staff.
• Coordinate student transitional planning with the Gengras Vocational Department and outside agencies.
• Assist in reporting suspected child abuse/neglect per Gengras and state policies.
• Behavior Management Strategies:
• Provide behavior management consultation to staff and treatment to students in conjunction with Individualized Education Plans.
• Assist in the development of individual social narratives, personalized schedules, student contracts and Functional Behavioral Assessments and subsequent Behavior Intervention Plans.
• Assist and/or complete data collection, data analysis, and behavioral rating scales.
• Provide crisis intervention, counseling, and suicide assessments
• Participate on the Crisis Intervention Team
• Assist in facilitating the hospitalization of students when necessary.

Collaboration/Teamwork with Gengras Staff:

• Participate in the referral/intake/placement process, and write the summary for each new student accepted to the program.
• Participate in transdisciplinary Child Study Team meetings.
• Collaborate with Gengras Center Behavioral Support Team
• Serve as a member of the Planning and Placement Team.
• Participate in Unit meetings and planning sessions.
• Provide staff education and training.
• Coordinate and help facilitate development of community wide special projects and activities that enhance student development.
• Facilitate meaningful integration activities for students with non-disabled peers.
• Facilitate and participate actively on school committees.
• Supervise students in Gengras Center community programs, shows, outings, field trips, and extracurricular activities.

Other Responsibilities:

• Completes treatment notes, Service Verification Forms, and Medicaid Paperwork.
• Completes necessary IEP components for annual reviews and quarterly progress reports.
• Facilitate cooperative relationships with the University of Saint Joseph, including supervision of student counseling/social work practicum internships.
• Provide bus, lunch reinforce, contingency, and other coverage as needed/assigned.
• Continue to grow professionally by participating in pertinent in-service and professional development workshops.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Director or Assistant Directors as indicated within the Center's program development plan.

• Certified as a school social worker; Master's degree in Social Work.
• At least two years experience working with a wide range of special needs students.
• Knowledge and experience in individual, group, family, and school-based counseling, assessment, consultation, community resources, and crisis management.
• Knowledge of federal, local, and state mandates regarding special education policies, student rights, procedures, law, and IDEA.
• Ability to uphold, and adhere to NASW Code of Ethics for school and social work services.
• Cultural competency to work with diverse student and/or employee population
• Commitment to the mission of the University of Saint Joseph
• Physical ability to perform essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits:

• 403(b) with employer match
• Tuition Waiver benefits (include spouse & dependent waivers)
• Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off & 13 paid holidays
• Two paid breaks (one week in December and one week in April)
• 8 weeks of parental leave (both maternal and paternal)
• Long-Term Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account/Health savings account
• 529 CHET savings plan

NON-DISCRIMINATION & TITLE IX INFORMATION

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES INFORMATION

The University of Saint Joseph believes it must play an active role in creating a community of employees that is diverse, inclusive and equitable. Our work benefits greatly from the contributions of people of color, people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, women, LGBTQ+ people, and individuals with disabilities. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.