Jobs at Westmoreland Casemanagement and Supports, Inc. (Now Hiring) — 7 open

Job DetailsJob Location: Greensburg, PA 15601Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $24.97 - $24.97 HourlyThis is a Full-Time/10 month/non-exempt position that is responsible for performing Student Assistance Program (SAP) duties by consulting and educating school personnel, students, and parents in barriers to learning such as behavioral health and/or substance abuse issues. The SAP Liaison will be responsible for initial assessment/screening of students who may have a variety of behavioral, and/or mental health needs, substance use or abuse, and personal difficulties which interfere with their daily functioning.

Primary work hours will be Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a 1/2-hour lunch (37.5 hrs./week) unless otherwise agreed upon and/or earlier depending on the needs of the assigned school district. SAP services are provided to children/adolescents and their families in an education setting and/or in the community when applicable. The SAP Liaison is an integral part of a team which identifies students at risk, assesses their needs and removes barriers to the learning process.

Compliance

As with all WCSI positions, it is the expectation that employees adhere to WCSI, County, State and Federal guidelines, regulation, policies, and laws which govern the business and service of WCSI as well as regulations governing the Behavioral Health program.

This position requires the employee to perform their daily job duties and responsibilities in a structured work environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary by management.

Student Assistance Liaison Duties

The SAP Liaison shall be available to their assigned school district each school day to provide the following services to school teams and/or parents:

Consultation Services-For general inquiries about mental health community services and resources and to their assigned SAP core team for student specific SAP referrals
Clinical Assessment Services-with student and/or parent/guardian consent, complete the SAP clinical assessment with the student and at least one parent/family member/guardian.

Provide the student/family and SAP core team with the recommendations following the clinical assessment.
Refer and link the student to the recommended services from the clinical assessment.
Follow the student/family until the recommended services have started.
Provide relevant trainings to students, parents, and/or school faculty (as requested by school and/or with county approval for training needs identified by the SAP Liaison organization)
Provide co-facilitation with school faculty to students for psycho education and/or support group services relevant to youth mental health topics (as requested by the school and/or with county approval for group needs identified by the SAP Liaison organization)
Summer activities for students include but are not limited to small group/psychoeducational group facilitation, trainings, and community outreach events.
Provide Emergency Behavioral Health services to schools/communities experiencing a mental health school wide and/or community event involving a student, family, and/or school faculty.
Work with the county crisis team responders as necessary for student specific mental health crisis events and assist in the completion of a petition for involuntary commitment.

Collaboration of SAP/SAP Liaison Services

The SAP program is a partnership administered by the Westmoreland County DHS/BHDS, Westmoreland Drug & Alcohol Commission (WeDAC) and St. Vincent College Prevention Projects Program. The Westmoreland County DHS/BHDS and WeDAC reserve the right to select the provider for administration and delivery of liaison services; each entity works closely for the delivery, oversight, and monitoring of the SAP program.

Westmoreland County DHS/BHDS is supporting an enhanced SAP liaison program that will identify, address, and link students at risk for substance use and/or have mental health needs through coordination with school core teams. The SAP liaisons shall provide consultation to SAP school core teams and provide information about resources and services available in the families’ community; resources shall honor the CASSP principles of:

Child Centered

Family Focused

Least Restrictive

Culturally Competent

Community Based

The SAP liaison shall provide assessment services to students and their family members when necessary and following core team support; assessments will include the identified student and at least one parent/guardian and be conducted in the school environment and/or a location that is appropriate for all parties involved. The SAP liaison shall continue to track, or follow, the student and family throughout the remainder of the school year and/or a time in which the recommended services have started and can be verified by the SAP liaison. SAP Liaison services shall not exceed the school year and referrals must be resubmitted with the start of each school year.

Crisis Intervention

SAP Liaisons are also trained as members of the Emergency Behavioral Health Team and shall be expected to respond to an emergency mental health crisis event in their assigned district; the SAP Liaison shall provide postvention support to the school administrators, faculty members, and students, as necessary. When warranted, the SAP Liaison shall work closely with the mental health crisis responders to provide additional support to their school district and shall also assist in the completion of documentation for an involuntary commitment petition.

Professional Responsibilities

Extensive knowledge of theories, principles, and techniques related to services provided. Ability to establish/maintain effective working relationship with clients, associates, and agency personnel. Must maintain knowledge of community resources and have ability to facilitate coordination of activities and/or small groups. Able to work independently, be flexible, and adjust work hours based on program and client needs. Display a professional standard of effective teamwork.

The mission of the SAP Liaison is to provide support to school districts in their collaborative process to identify, assess, and refer students with drug & alcohol and/or mental health needs that are a barrier to their school success. The primary goal is that students with identified needs are receiving the appropriate services in the least restrictive environment, the student remains in the school setting, and the student/family is confident in their ability to access services in their community. It is also the goal of the SAP Liaison services that the school district has an increased understanding of social services available for students and families in the county and that school district is supported by the liaison during a mental health crisis event.

The SAP Liaison shall be available to their assigned school district each school day to provide the following services to school teams and/or parents:

Consultation Services-For general inquiries about mental health community services and resources and to their assigned SAP core team for student specific SAP referrals
Assessment Services-with student and/or parent/guardian consent, complete the SAP assessment with the student and at least one parent/family member/guardian.
Provide the student/family and SAP core team with the recommendations following the assessment.
Refer and link the student to the recommended services from the assessment.
Follow the student/family until they are connected to recommended services and/or throughout the school year.
Provide relevant trainings to students, parents, and/or school faculty (as requested by school and/or with county approval for training needs identified by the SAP Liaison organization)
Provide co-facilitation with school faculty to students for psycho education and/or support group services relevant to youth mental health topics (as requested by the school and/or with county approval for group needs identified by the SAP Liaison organization)
Provide Emergency Behavioral Health services to schools/communities experiencing a mental health school wide and/or community event involving a student, family, and/or school faculty.
Work with the county crisis team responders as necessary for student specific mental health crisis events and assist in the completion of a petition for involuntary commitment.

Supervisor Evaluation

At minimum bi-monthly supervision meetings will occur. The supervision will review current assignments, issues and concerns. The supervision will be documented and acknowledged by the employee. The employee will be expected to follow the general instructions provided, complete assignments without further intervention on the part of the supervisor.
QualificationsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or related field. One year of Behavioral Health experience required, two years preferred. Previous experience working with children/adolescents and families in an educational setting is also preferred.

Language Skills

Effectively communicate and problem solve with all individuals involved in SAP; strong interpersonal skills, effective oral and written communication skills required.

Certificates, Registrations, Licenses

Valid PA Driver’s License, Proof of Valid Auto Insurance, Act 34 (Criminal Record), and Act 33 (Child Abuse) and FBI Clearance. There will be monthly screenings of PA Medicheck List, LEIE (List of Excluded Individuals/Entities) and SAM (System for Award Management).

Other

This position requires the availability and utilization of the employee’s personal vehicle, for purposes of transportation to and from work appointments. Transportation of clients in personal vehicles is not permitted, as agency vehicles are available for this purpose.

As a requirement of employment, certain personal information (Birth Date, Driver’s License, Diplomas, Transcripts, etc.) can be shared in a confidential communication as related to regulations, licensure, and/or insurance carrier contracts.

As with all WCSI positions, this position will adhere to all random drug screening requirements, as set forth by WCSI Policy.

ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL and MENTAL CONDITIONS

Physical/Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to operate a motor vehicle, sit, stand, walk, bend and lift objects of up to 10 pounds. The employee regularly uses a computer, phone, fax, copier, and other essential office equipment to carry out daily work assignments. The employee will be required to operate a motor vehicle. Substantial problem solving in response to urgent/emergency situations which may require immediate action is an expectation.

Work Environment

The service of this job is school based. While performing the duties of this job the employee may be exposed to a combination of office and outside/travel environments both inside and outside the boundaries of Westmoreland County. This position may be asked to provide linkage, monitoring, access to services; informal support network building for clients being served in a client driven fashion where and when it is needed. This position will be required to conform to WCSI’s policies, as well as the applicable cultural environment of the school setting assigned (included but not limited to professional dress and professional conduct).

Position Funding

This position’s funding is determined by WCSI’s allocation process. Incumbent in this position may be required to complete a WCSI Time Study, frequency determined by Fiscal Management, for purposes of this allocation process.

Reasonable Accommodation

It is WCSI’s business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodation, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with disabilities.

This position description is not an employment agreement or contract, but rather a description of the expectations of job duties and responsibilities as assigned to this position. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this position description and the position classification, at any time without prior notice.