Caseworker

Multiple positions available.

Adult Protective Services (APS) is mandated by the State of New York to provide social, legal and protective services to individuals 18 years of age and older, who because of mental or physical impairments are unable to meet their essential needs for food, shelter, clothing, or medical care, secure benefits and entitlements or protect themselves from physical or mental injury, neglect, maltreatment, or financial exploitation; are in need of protection from actual or threatened harm, neglect or hazardous conditions and have no one available who is willing and able to assist them responsibly.

Four of APS’ units deliver specialized services: Undercare, Assessment, Eviction and Preventive Service Program. The Undercare Unit is responsible for the processing of client’s cases for APS’ services. Assessment Unit is responsible for conducting assessment within 60 days of the referral, determining eligibility for APS services, developing service plans. Eviction Unit operates pursuant to an agreement with the NYC Department of Investigation Marshals Bureau. Preventive Service Program (PSP) is responsible for maintaining services and monitors stabilized cases with the assistance of community resources by conducting field visits every four months.

Adult Protective Services (APS) is recruiting ninety-eight (98) Caseworkers for various field offices, who will:

Field Operations Unit

• Provide health-related and social services to consumers, who are risk or are involved in
  evictions.
• Conduct home visits to consumers designated for monthly visits. Inspect home environments
  to assess and determine service needs.
• Interview consumers, relatives, neighbors, and other agency staff regarding the physical, social,
  emotional, and financial problems of APS’ consumers to formulate an initial or on-going service
  plan including counseling.
• Perform initial and on-going medical and social services assessment of consumers confronted with
  imminent danger or risk situation to resolve emergencies and stabilize consumer’s condition in
  accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Prepare referrals for services including court petitions to the Office of Legal Affairs for the
  appointment of article 81 Guardian Ad Litem referrals and temporary restraining orders. Refer
  customers for services not available through APS.
• Prepare reports on work activities, documenting information on APS cases, referrals processed,
  cases closed, and transferred cases to other services programs.
• Testify in court hearing and other formal proceedings to provide information upon which
  judgements regarding customers and their situation can be made.

Central Intake Unit

• Receive referrals of potential clients.
• Conduct customer intake interviews using appropriate scripts, forms, procedures, and interviewing
  techniques.
• Establish potential customer’s eligibility for APS through history taking, conferring with consultants,
  community resources and other agencies to provide requisite services.
• Provide linkages to case work unit and other HRA, community and outside agencies to enable clients
  to receive services.

Borough Field Caseworker

• Conduct mandated and as needed home visits to prospective family home providers to complete
  home evaluations and assist them in establishing eligibility for a State license; obtains required
  documentation for submission to the State in order to determine eligibility and verification of
  information.
• Interface and maintain liaisons with cooperating external agencies and community organizations
  to monitor and ensure the services being provided for DVPHA residents are appropriate for the
  resident’s needs.
• Provide initial orientation for the prospective provider and family concerning program mandates
  and HRA policy and procedure; provides ongoing instruction in changes and monitor compliance
  of licensed providers with State regulations.
• Perform a thorough analysis of new resident needs by conducting an in-depth interview to ensure
  the appropriate placement into family homes and ultimately participates in the development of the
  resident’s Individual Service Plan to ensure that the needs of the resident are being accomplished.
• Conduct collateral visits to the aftercare, day program, etc. in which the DVPHA residents are
  involved to evaluate the level of client care and services being provided.
• Prepare reports, letters, memos, narratives, and statistical reports within required deadlines while
  adhering to State regulations and to document the progress of the DVPHA residents and to evaluate
  the need for alternate placement; compiles monthly caseload productivity statistics and verifies
  Special Needs expenditures and monthly fieldwork expenses.
• Assist in the resolution of problematic situations regarding SSI benefits, public assistance and
  Medicaid by contacting the appropriate agency.
• Ensure the validity of State licenses for family home provider and initiates the application for
  renewals when notified via the DWELL system and assists in closing enforcement action due to
  unsatisfactory performance or client problems.
• Maintain client records, admissions, transfers, and discharges with the use of the DWELL tracking
  system.
• Consult regularly with Unit Supervisor to ensure the appropriate services are being rendered
  especially in complex multi-situational cases and emergency situations and gives input regarding
  the effectiveness of current procedures and recommends new needs or revisions; accompanies
  the Unit Supervisor to seek corrective action for homes which are deemed unlicensed by the State.

Home/field visits are mandated for all caseworker positions. Caseworkers will be expected to routinely
(i.e., multiple times per week) be in the field conducting home and field visits.

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university accredited by regional, national, professional, or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Additional Information: Section 424-a of the New York State Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-care responsibilities is or has been the subject of an indicated child abuse and maltreatment report on file with the State Central Register for child abuse and maltreatment. State Central Register screening will be conducted prior to considering a candidate for employment as a Caseworker. Candidates who have been the subject of an indicated child abuse and maltreatment report will not be assigned to any position which requires child-care responsibilities. Employees who have been the subject of such a report may be reassigned or terminated from employment from their positions as Caseworker.