Department: Community Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Reports To: Director of Community Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)

We are looking for a compassionate Social Worker to help serve the deaf and hard of hearing communities by assisting our clients that are affected by issues such as lack of access to programs and services, homelessness, food insecurity, difficulty obtaining government support, neglect, child abuse, intimate partner violence and sexual assault, as well as emotional and behavioral health issues resulting from language deprivation.

Purpose of the Job:

Manages the development and delivery of case management services to individuals who are D/deaf or Hard of Hearing. Provides information and referrals to D/deaf individuals regarding services, programs and resources offered by community organizations and agencies as well as providing those agencies with the necessary information to allow them to provide services to clients in a culturally competent and sensitive manner. Provides advocacy to community members in a variety of environments. Responsible for assessing clients and gathering relevant information about their cases, providing crisis intervention, and contacting and making referrals to other agencies and services. Provides community organizations and agencies with information regarding Deafness and Deaf Culture including information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Major Duties and Expectations:

Provides case management and support services:

Meets with D/deaf and hard of hearing clients confronted with daily living struggles.
Assists in defining problems and setting goals.
Assists in completing complex government, medical, legal, social service and other forms.
Assists in locating affordable housing and food assistance.
Provides information on services available throughout the community.
Assists in understanding and accessing community services and resources.

2. Provides liaison and advocacy services on behalf of clients.

Maintains accurate records
Provides information, resources, and referrals to organizations requesting information related to:
Services for D/deaf individuals (mental health, educational, religious, etc.)
Understanding and accessing community services
Deafness and Deaf culture
Assistive listening technology and devices
Sign language classes
ADA compliance

3. Outreach to community organizations to develop potential allies as well as partnerships in order to promote the co-advocacy model of serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers.

4. Develops and conducts community classes for deaf and hard of hearing consumers to support activities of daily living and to increase their capacity and knowledge as well as their ability to live independently. Classes may include topics such as:

Parenting
Nutrition
Budgeting
Health
Coping Skills

5. Collaborates with other team members to develop and populate community events and educational presentations.

6. Participates in supervision, training, as well as department and agency meetings. Prepares for and participates in regular case reviews and presentations.

Key Competencies

The ability to tolerate stress, recognize your own limitations, and respond to difficult situations.
To work in an independent, self-motivated way while being a collaborative member of an interdisciplinary team.
The capacity to problem solve, think critically, and apply knowledge and research to a clinical problem.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to deal with people in distress.