Job Description

As a member of the Administrative Team, the Social Worker is expected to understand the systems within which the agency operates and the funders for whom the agency provides services. Responsibilities Include:

• Assist Program Director in all matters related to the key transitions of children entering and exiting the Approved Private School (APS) Program.
• Assist parents in understanding the special needs of their children.
• Facilitate parent support groups, interest groups and social gatherings for families.
• Assist families in learning to become advocates for their child.
• Work in partnership with parents and others on those problems in a child’s living situation that affect the child’s adjustment in school.
• Make home visits as the team and family indicate a need.
• Develop and facilitate with the Program Director an orientation program for families entering the APS Program.
• Develop and facilitate with the Program Director and the Nursing Supervisor an orientation program for Private Duty Nurses assigned to children in the APS Program.
• Mobilize school and community resources to enable the child to learn as effectively as possible in his or her educational program.
• Provide information and referrals when requested.
• Present Easterseals’ child abuse policy to all staff.
• Act as Philadelphia Division point person in the reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect.
• Participate in all team meetings for the APS classrooms.
• Support staff in identifying concerns for social service intervention.
• Participate in IEP process as needed.
• Collaborate with team members in the coordination of Early Intervention services.
• Provide IEP specified Social Work services to children and identified family members.
• Participate in the development of new initiatives and programs for families.
• Contribute monthly to the division newsletter.
• Provide consultation as needed to other contracted programs regarding family issues.
• Work with Division Director to develop necessary social work budget.
• Submit all required paperwork in a timely fashion, including but not limited to Monthly Service Reports (MSR’s), evaluation reports (ER’s), IEP’s and payroll information.
• Supervise Social Work interns when needed.
• Participate in Yaffe Center Administration Chain-of-Command.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Program Director or the Division Director.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited college recognized by the Council of Social Work Education. Preferred but not required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW) with appropriate experience will be considered.
• Certified and maintained as a professional, licensed Social Worker by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania OR should be eligible for licensure within one year of hire date.
• Previous Social Work experience of at least 2 years in a pediatric, medical or educational setting is preferred.
• Willingness to explore the emotional impact of special needs and chronically ill children on oneself, staff and families.
• Reliable personal transportation required.

Additional Information

• Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) organization for public service loan forgiveness eligibility purposes.
• Please review the background check requirements information located on the ‘Careers’ page of our website: https://www.easterseals.com/sepa/who-we-are/careers-at-easter-seals/
• Easterseals is an equal opportunity provider and an equal opportunity employer.