Relief Caseworker

Description/Job Summary

This individual is directly responsible to the Community Services Program Manager of Catholic Social Services. This individual will be responsible for all aspects of Relief Casework.

Responsibilities/Duties

Assessment

- Assist clients with their presenting problem by providing available resources or by referring them to another community resource.

Rental/Mortgage Assistance

- Assist clients in need of rental/mortgage assistance by completing an Intake interview, collecting required documents, completing budget and income eligibility forms, and all other required paperwork. Eligible client applications are reviewed with the Director of Relief Services and then submitted for payment. Follow-up interviews are conducted at 30/60/90 days. Case management services are offered to clients in need of support.

- Document all client and supervisory contacts utilizing the HMIS system; documentation is completed in a timely and concise manner. Client casefiles are organized and maintained.

Emergency Hotel Assistance

- Assist clients requiring a hotel stay due to an emergency situation as determined by Catholic Social Services. Determine the need and length of stay. Review circumstances with the Director and when deemed appropriate make hotel arrangements and complete documentation.

Representative Payee: The Social Security Administration provides financial resources to individuals with physical handicaps, mental health or intellectual limitations, and/or substance use issues. These individuals have been determined unable to manage their own funds, and Catholic Social Services is a representative payee on their behalf.

- Meet with client to discuss Catholic Social Services' role and limitations serving as their representative payee.

- Open bank account and maintain individual files for each client.

- Work out a weekly/monthly budget with each client which meets their needs and adheres to their budget and disperse checks accordingly. When appropriate, apply for yearly rent rebate through the State Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program.

- Complete all forms/records/statistics/reports which are required by Catholic Social Services and the Social Security Administration

Pregnancy Counseling/Real Alternatives:

- Initial interview to address client concerns, make appropriate referrals, or schedule an appointment for a follow-up session.

- Provide pregnancy test and facilities.

- Pre-natal counseling with client, particularly as it relates to the choice of life, which may include assistance in planning prenatal medical care, living arrangements, financial assistance, and linkage to community resources. If relinquishment is the plan, make arrangements with the Office of Youth and Family Services for foster care/adoption.

- Postnatal counseling

- Maintain and organize client files and complete documentation in a timely manner.

Coordinate vacation and social event programs. Participation in the annual Thanksgiving Distribution and Gifts For Kids Christmas Toy Program is required. There are also community and social events that Catholic Social Services participates in throughout the year, and participation is required. These events may occur at night or on the weekend.

Serve on committees and act as a representative of Catholic Social Services at meetings.

Required Qualifications

- Minimum education for this salaried position is a Bachelor's Degree in a human services related field, with preferred experience as a caseworker.

- The individual must possess a current/valid Pennsylvania driver's license and must have access to an insured automobile while on duty.

- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and FBI Fingerprinting Clearance are required.

- Individual must provide complete details of any conviction records they may possess.

- The individual will maintain an awareness of the Mission of Catholic Social Services, which is an extension of the broader mission of the Catholic Church of the Diocese of Scranton.

- This individual will be responsible for all aspects of Relief Casework, including but not limited to rental/mortgage assistance, emergency hotel assistance, and representative payee services.

- This individual reports directly to the Director of Relief Services of Catholic Social Services.

- Scheduled work time is 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M, Monday through Friday; flexibility is required as needed for service delivery.

---