| Recruitment Incentive authorized. This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 02/12/2021. Additional applications will be referred as needed. The Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Social Worker primary responsibilities are to provide psychosocial assessments, case management, evaluation, placement, and referral & linkage to community agencies for Veterans who are within 6 months of release from correctional institutions and/or are being monitored by the courts. *NOTE: Applicant Expiration: Applicants will remain active for 3 months after their initial application is received and/or updated. After that time you must update your application through your USAJobs account if you would like to be made active again for possible consideration during the open period. The VJO Social Worker works in conjunction with the HUDVASH, Community Employment Coordinator and other Health Care for Homeless Veteran Programs to coordinate needs and services of this program with VA and non-VA providers to assure access and ongoing services as needed. Program Coordination The VJO Social Worker meets with judges, officers of the court, correctional administrators and staff on a regular basis to design and/or maintain appropriate policies and procedures required for each setting. They attend justice system staff training relevant to working with offenders and high risk populations and represents the VA at community meetings, seeking or maintaining membership on relevant boards, councils and task forces. The VJO Social Worker also collaborates with other Justice Outreach clinicians to support engagement in care for eligible Veterans recently discharged from correctional institutions. Collaborations include VA Behavioral Health staff, providers who serve Veterans by contract or formal agreement with the VA, government staff, social, financial, legal, health and mental health agencies, Veterans and/or their families/relatives, Veterans' conservators, friends, employers, landlords, police, attorneys, judges, and probation and parole officers. The incumbent conducts justice-related staff development programs for mental health and other program staff and provides opportunities for staff to update their mental health professional knowledge and practice skills. Provides training and guidance to entry level staff and graduate students. Outreach The incumbent is required to conduct active outreach to Veterans involved with the justice system, including those who may be participants, or candidates for participation, in treatment court programs, including Veterans Courts. This outreach may also include field interviews, assessments and referrals for Veterans contacted in community settings, courts and/or prior to release in jails or prisons, as well as those referred by VA residential programs, medical centers or outpatient clinics. Clinical Assessment Advanced clinical training, insight and experience is utilized to interpret data and identify viable treatment options. The VJO Social Worker assesses high risk factors, acuity, and the need for services. This Social Worker has the ability to serve Veterans who tend to have frequent and severe crises, lack family or an adequate community support network, be poor at self-monitoring, and frequently fail to comply with instructions and treatment, or have significant deficits in coping skills and require continuing professional psychosocial support. Incumbent provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members. Incumbent maintains knowledge of Suicide Prevention policy and procedure, recognizes warning signs for suicide ideation or recent self-directed violence, and utilizes the identified screening tools to assess suicide risk. Comprehensive Case Management The incumbent functions as an ongoing case manager for justice-involved Veterans who are being monitored by treatment courts (and as needed for Veterans released from correctional institutions) by performing duties to facilitate independent community living by coordinating mental health and community care. As appropriate, completes release of information and assists with completion, submission of forms and follow-up regarding VA eligibility and enrollment, other VA Forms or application for benefits through VBA. The incumbent serves as a consultant on the complex processes Veterans encounter when interacting with government and community agencies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30 PM Financial Disclosure Report: Not required |
