Mental Health Social Worker

Salary: $64,000/year - $66,3000/year

Position Summary

The Mental Health Social Worker provides targeted, selective, and universal behavioral health services to students, families, and school staff through individual, group, and family therapy/counseling, crisis intervention, workshops, staff consultations, and trainings. Reporting to the Director of School-Based Mental Health Services, this role collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to support students' social and emotional well-being while ensuring services are delivered in accordance with Children's Aid policies, New York State regulations, and applicable privacy standards.

Children’s Aid Mission

To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children’s Aid annually serves children and their families at over forty sites in New York, as well as through three national program models.  Children’s Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children’s health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth, and families in all that we do. 

We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth, and families.

We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.

We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Services & Student Support

• Assess the social and emotional needs of students to inform appropriate behavioral health interventions.
• Provide direct counseling and social work services to students referred by self, the health team, faculty, administration, or other school support staff.
• Provide individual, group, and family therapy/counseling using appropriate behavioral health interventions.
• Remain available to provide crisis intervention services as needed or coordinate coverage through emergency social services.
• Track and follow up on referrals made within the school and to external providers to support continuity of care.
• Establish and maintain referral networks and partnerships with community agencies to support students and families.
• Serve as an advocate for students' rights within the clinic and facilitate communication between students, families, and school personnel when appropriate.
• Demonstrate competency in providing age-appropriate behavioral health services to the student populations served.

Collaboration & School Engagement

• Participate with interdisciplinary team members in developing and implementing program policies, procedures, and crisis prevention strategies.
• Engage with the broader school community by participating in and presenting at parent association meetings, teacher meetings, assemblies, and other school events.
• Collaborate effectively with students, families, school staff, healthcare providers, and community partners from a wide range of cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
• Support the implementation of the program's philosophy, goals, and objectives through collaborative practice and professional communication.

Documentation, Compliance & Professional Practice

• Complete professional assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and other required clinical documentation in accordance with New York State regulations, Children's Aid policies, and program requirements.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation to support quality care and continuity of services.
• Ensure all students, families, visitors, and colleagues are treated with dignity, respect, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA and all applicable privacy, regulatory, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Participate in ongoing program quality initiatives and interdisciplinary collaboration to support effective service delivery.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work required.
• Valid New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) license required, or the ability to obtain an LMSW within three (3) months of employment.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build collaborative relationships with adolescents, families, school personnel, healthcare providers, and community partners from a wide range of cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment while managing multiple priorities in a school-based behavioral health setting.
• Demonstrated ability to complete accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory and organizational requirements.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and other applicable privacy regulations.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children’s Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. 

Children’s Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children’s Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy. 

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team.  This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes.  The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.