United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM) has expanded its work in the area of education through the implementation of On Track 4 Success (OT4S), a collaborative approach among educators, administrators, and community partners, committed to using data effectively to keep students on the pathway to high school graduation. The goal of the program is to build school capacity for and adoption of On Track 4 Success as part of a school’s culture and then transition UWCM staff out and on to additional schools once the school is able to sustain the program on their own, or with limited assistance.
When a student falls below the on-track threshold, a team of school and United Way staff will discuss the student and appropriate intervention options in a regularly-scheduled meeting. The group will then assign the student (or group of students), and possibly engage their families, to an intervention, or series of interventions, designed to help improve his or her performance. By systematically examining data, early warning systems can empower districts and schools to:
- Identify struggling students earlier in their school career
- Direct students to appropriate interventions
- Examine and address on-track patterns among groups of students regularly
POSITION SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The social worker will work under United Way of Central Maryland’s (UWCM) On Track 4 Success (OT4S) program, working with school faculty, staff and leadership, as well as United Way staff, to identify and serve students who are flagged through school data as potentially being off track for high school graduation based on such indicators as attendance, behavior or course performance. Once students are flagged for potential support/interventions the social worker will obtain parental consent in order to provide needed supports in and/or out of school to the identified student and/or family members. These supports could include: counseling/ therapy, case management, and academic/ study skills support. In addition to individual work with students, the social worker will have opportunities to do group work with identified students.
In addition, as part of the OT4S program, it is possible that whole school prevention/intervention programs may be developed – if this is the case, the social worker may work with any student within the assigned school(s). The position will initially work directly with students and school teams on-site in Anne Arundel County at either Meade Middle School (6th – 8th grades) or at Meade High School (9th grade) or in Baltimore City at Maree G. Farring Elementary/Middle School (4th – 8th grades) with some time devoted to working out of UWCM’s offices. This is a year-round position.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to:
80% The UWCM social worker is responsible for identifying necessary social/emotional behavioral interventions for student support, as well as resource identification, linkage, etc. inside and outside the assigned school(s) for the particular grade levels at which UWCM’s OT4S program is aimed. The UWCM social worker will work collaboratively with the UWCM Site Manager, school administrators, instructional staff and other social workers and student support providers within the identified school(s). The UWCM social worker also will work collaboratively with the OT4S school team to make recommendations for academic and other interventions that appear to be needed.
- Integrate into the fabric and culture of the school
- Work with the UWCM Site Manager to develop a student “Focus List”
- Along with Site Manager, serve a crucial role in OT4S school team meetings, in facilitating discussion around each of the students on the Focus List and encouraging discussion and feedback from team members regarding student strengths, needs and potential interventions
- Recommend strategic interventions to OT4S team and UWCM Site Manager
- Collaborate with UWCM and others in the UWCM network, school administrators, social workers, and other student support staff and external support agencies to design, implement and monitor strategic interventions for students
- Carry out strategic interventions for individual students including counseling/ therapy, case management, behavioral interventions and academic/ study skills support
- Provide consultations for teachers around social/ emotional and/or academic supports/interventions needed for individual students, specifically in the classroom
- Participate in school-led team meetings (Whole School Faculty meetings, SST, attendance, related service providers, etc) when appropriate.
- Document all interactions with students, carry out summary documentation (case plans, notes, etc.) on a bi-weekly basis, including outcomes of strategic interventions for students
10% Conduct outreach in an effort to develop relationships with referral sources and other community resources that may benefit students and families. Act as a liaison with various agencies (ex. mentoring and tutoring programs, after school programs, area food pantries, local behavioral health resources, etc.) on behalf of students and their families. Provide education on community needs to the OT4S school teams and other school faculty. Interact with UWCM’s Family Stability team in assigned neighborhood to better understand the community’s needs and work together to share resources between UWCM programs. The UWCM social worker may be called upon for presentations or public speaking opportunities, as needed.
10% Work with UWCM team and other key stakeholders to develop and maintain administrative documents, including policies and procedures and protocols for the program. Assist with reporting program performance measurements and other relevant data. Assist in maintaining and updating OT4S records as well as tracking results from recommended interventions.
ACCOUNTABILITY: In order to be successful in this job, the social worker must consistently demonstrate competency in:
- Oral and written communication.
- Knowledge of the human service delivery system.
- Interpersonal skills: Must be able to treat everyone with respect and courtesy and create an atmosphere of acceptance. Must develop and maintain effective working relationships with school and district employees as well as other service providers.
- Client service delivery skills, including the ability to:
- interview students and/or families and assess needs;
- work with students and/or families to establish and achieve their goals;
- support team in maintaining a goal-directed strengths based focus
- identify and address mental health needs of students
- effectively use the computer to research resources and report data;
- make independent decisions using good judgment;
- employ problem solving techniques when appropriate; and
- exercise decision making and crisis intervention skills to manage emergency situations effectively.
INTERACTION:
Interacts with school faculty and leadership, students and families, as well as representatives from the school district personnel from time to time. Other interactions can be expected with outside partner/school personnel, health and human service providers, other UWCM staff and volunteers and business representatives. May represent UWCM at community and business events.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
Master’s degree in Social Work, (LGSW or LCSW-C). At least 2 years of experience working with families or individuals living in poverty. Experience working with children and in public school setting, desired.
Requirements:
Computer literacy required. Must possess a working vehicle, valid driver’s license and valid/adequate automobile insurance.
Abilities/Skills: Ability to express ideas clearly to individuals and groups in oral discussions. Ability to deliver information appropriate to target audience. Ability to communicate and empathize with individuals of diverse backgrounds. Ability to write in a manner that is clear, concise and grammatically correct. Ability to make independent decisions using good judgment. •Strong organization and time management skills
- Conflict resolution and negotiating skills
- Cultural sensitivity
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (sitting, standing, lifting, etc)
The employee is primarily seated while performing the duties of the position at UWCM. At least 90% of the position works remotely at one, two or more public schools or directly in the community. Person may be mobile throughout the day. While offsite from UWCM, the person will be walking or standing as well as sitting for long periods of time in meetings or appointments with client families. While onsite at UWCM, the person will occasionally walk and stand and interaction with personnel located in other parts of the building is also necessary. The hands are regularly used to write, type, keypunch and handle or feel small controls and objects. The employee must frequently talk and listen. Weights of up to 25 pounds occur (i.e. laptop computer, heavy files, computer reports, computer terminals or other regular office equipment.) Requirements may be modified to accommodate individuals with disabilities.