Mental Health Social Worker

Salary: $64,000/year - $66,300/year

About the Organization

Children’s Aid helps children in poverty to succeed and thrive by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. We annually serve children and their families at over forty sites in New York, as well as through three national program models. Our efforts focus on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with an emphasis on children’s health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

• We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate their voices in all that we do.
• We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth, and families.
• We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.
• We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.
• We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Responsibilities

Clinical Services & Student Support

• Assess the social and emotional needs of students to inform appropriate behavioral health interventions.
• Provide direct counseling and social work services to students referred by self, the health team, faculty, administration, or other school support staff.
• Provide individual, group, and family therapy/counseling using appropriate behavioral health interventions.
• Remain available to provide crisis intervention services as needed or coordinate coverage through emergency social services.
• Track and follow up on referrals made within the school and to external providers to support continuity of care.
• Establish and maintain referral networks and partnerships with community agencies to support students and families.
• Serve as an advocate for students' rights within the clinic and facilitate communication between students, families, and school personnel when appropriate.
• Demonstrate competency in providing age-appropriate behavioral health services to the student populations served.

Collaboration & School Engagement

• Participate with interdisciplinary team members in developing and implementing program policies, procedures, and crisis prevention strategies.
• Engage with the broader school community by participating in and presenting at parent association meetings, teacher meetings, assemblies, and other school events.
• Collaborate effectively with students, families, school staff, healthcare providers, and community partners from a wide range of cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
• Support the implementation of the program's philosophy, goals, and objectives through collaborative practice and professional communication.

Documentation, Compliance & Professional Practice

• Complete professional assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and other required clinical documentation in accordance with New York State regulations, Children's Aid policies, and program requirements.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation to support quality care and continuity of services.
• Ensure all students, families, visitors, and colleagues are treated with dignity, respect, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA and all applicable privacy, regulatory, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Participate in ongoing program quality initiatives and interdisciplinary collaboration to support effective service delivery.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work required.
• Valid New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) license required, or the ability to obtain an LMSW within three (3) months of employment.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build collaborative relationships with adolescents, families, school personnel, healthcare providers, and community partners from a wide range of cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment while managing multiple priorities in a school-based behavioral health setting.
• Demonstrated ability to complete accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory and organizational requirements.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and other applicable privacy regulations.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Schedule

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes.