Contract Independent Social Worker

The Oklahoma Office of Family Representation (OFR) is seeking to contract with Master level Social Workers (MSWs) to provide the critical social work component to our interdisciplinary legal teams of professionals defending children and indigent parents in Region 1. This position consists of the following counties in Oklahoma: Kay, Noble, Garfield, Kingfisher. Contract MSWs handle matters on a case-by-case basis and are not employees of OFR or Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma (LASO).

OFR provides an interdisciplinary approach to legal representation and advocacy utilizing attorneys, social workers, and peer mentors. This is a specialized area of social work practice involving the application of psychosocial theories, social work skills, and the legal system. Areas of expertise that OFR is seeking include: chronic mental illness, trauma, intellectual disabilities, domestic violence, substance abuse, and child welfare experience, preferably specific to parent advocacy.

MSWs act as a part of the legal interdisciplinary teams are responsible for providing support and advocacy for children and indigent parents who are involved in a juvenile deprived court (child welfare) case. The role will work remotely and will require frequent travel throughout the contracted Region.

Key Responsibilities

• Meet regularly with assigned clients to review service planning, provider reports, goals, and progress and report any issues to the interdisciplinary team (IDT) attorney.
• Educate clients about the child welfare and deprived systems and help them understand the court process and court and child welfare terminology; provide them with encouragement and support as they navigate the child welfare and deprived court systems; and assist the client with the goals of the permanency plan and legal case plan.
• Help prepare clients for meetings with service providers and court hearings and collaborate with the mentor (if assigned) to plan for client assistance and support during meetings/court. Attend meetings, court hearings, and court staffings at client request.
• Research, share, and help clients and families with information about and access to community resources and services, including making referrals to community-based organizations and treatment providers.
• Collect and evaluate clients’ existing treatment and service records, reports, assessments, and/or evaluations and document and interpret signs/symptoms of developmental and/or behavioral health issues to assist IDT attorney in developing case strategies; consult with the attorney to determine if new or additional assessments, evaluations, or services are needed, making referrals/arrangements for them as needed; and assist the attorney with better understanding the client’s needs so the attorney can better communicate with and provide more effective advocacy for the client.
• Maintain frequent and consistent contact with the client’s attorney and mentor (when assigned) to discuss case assignments; client needs, goals, and progress; client engagement; and how to advance the legal case strategy.
• Provide crisis intervention and short-term casework as appropriate, including working with the attorney, mentor (if assigned), client, and others to create safety plans for the client, child, and family to address identified safety risks.
• Communicate with child welfare specialists, Indian child welfare (ICW) workers, court case managers, service providers, guardians ad litem (GAL), Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), etc. as needed to address barriers or challenges related to service planning and coordination and/or crisis intervention. Communicate with service and treatment providers regarding client’s progress.
• Collaborate with the Office of Family Representation (including the executive director, regional managing attorneys, regional director of social work and data analyst/entry personnel) and other social workers, contracted mentors, and contracted attorneys to support program performance and improvement.
• Assist in locating relevant child welfare research, including researching OHS Child Welfare Administrative Policies and Procedures.
• Review case reports and/or discovery for attorneys upon request; assist in preparing alternative Individualized Service Plans (ISP); assist in locating expert services.

Qualifications

Required:

• A Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from an accredited college or university and experience working in the child welfare and/or juvenile deprived systems; providing case management services; and/or working within multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to high-quality interdisciplinary representation of children, and parents.
• Excel at working in a multidisciplinary team and possess an aptitude for complex problem-solving.
• Strong ability to advocate for others and work from a strengths-based perspective to motivate clients.
• Ability to learn and work independently to accomplish job duties.
• Self-starter, highly organized and attentive to deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal relationship building ability, and de-escalation techniques.
• Strong computer skills, including using business software/cloud-based programs (Microsoft Office products i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and case management tools i.e. LegalServer and Your case plan), and case management programs/applications.
• Possess a valid Oklahoma Driver’s License and regular access to a vehicle with current insurance.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of Oklahoma Human Services (OHS) child welfare policies and state law pertaining to child abuse and neglect.
• Knowledge of or experience with risk assessment and safety planning.
• Knowledge about resources and services in the community.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations in multiple settings.
• Experience writing social histories.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with clients and their families, mental health experts, and attorneys.
• Expertise with child development, trauma, chronic mental illness, intellectual disabilities, substance abuse, domestic violence, the child welfare system, and related community services available to support children and parents.
• Good mentoring skills.
• Maintain client confidentiality.

Commitments:

• MSW will accept cases assigned by the Director of Social Work.
• MSW will complete initial training, fundamental training and continue in-service training.
• MSW will attend conferences/trainings relevant to child welfare and legal representation.
• MSW will adhere to the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers Code of Professional Conduct as well as the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics whether a member or not.
• MSW will participate in individual and group supervision, staff trainings, and team meetings.

Remote Work Requirements:

As an independent contractor the MSW will be expected:

• to maintain an office that will accommodate client contact;
• to provide own computer, software, telephone, supplies, and other necessary equipment or furnishings; and
• to maintain professional liability insurance.

For further information you may contact ofr@laok.org

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the contractor in this position. These statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the social worker independent contractors in this position.

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $35.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Mileage reimbursement
• Professional development assistance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: On the road