Behavioral Health Therapist II/Social Worker (OFRA /ISD #10117101))

$28.21 - $45.14 Hourly

$58,682 - $93,891 Annually

This position is a Pay Band HG

Posting Details

The Office of Family Representation and Advocacy (OFRA) is a new State Executive Agency that was created by statute in 2022 and began operations July 1, 2023. OFRA exists to provide high quality legal representation and advocacy for children and parents, guardians, and custodians in child abuse and neglect cases.

THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

Why does the job exist?

The purpose of this position is to support the mission and of the agency by performing duties as a licensed therapists to ensure the quality of care and interdisciplinary representation for the clients. The position will be charged with ensuring the diagnoses, treatments, and plans are appropriate for the clients.

How does it get done?

**Case Management and Client Services (60%)

Manage a caseload of clients as determined by the Interdisciplinary Services Division Director and maintain ongoing contact with clients via telephone, e-mail, text message and in person in a variety of locations and at a variety of different times as appropriate.

Review and obtain signature of client on required forms, including releases of information, program consent form, and rights and responsibilities of the client while receiving interdisciplinary services with OFRA.

Collect and document information about clients from CYFD and community providers as it pertains to the client's legal case and CYFD treatment plan.

Interview, observe, assess clients and review completed assessments to evaluate the client's strengths, mental and emotional health, and trauma in order to identify barriers to reaching goals and appropriate client-centered services.

Identify social determinants of health and other barriers that could impede clients abilities to receive and engage in needed services and collaborate with CYFD and the Legal Team to develop a plan to address these barriers.

Perform emergency safety assessments, provide crisis intervention, refer clients to appropriate behavioral health services as needed, and report safety concerns immediately to the attorney.

Assist with identifying relatives who may provide child placements and/or support family time.

Advocate with CYFD for the development of individualized service plans that are tailored to the clients needs and strengths, offer alternative or additional services that may be more clinically appropriate, or suggest staggering or eliminating unnecessary services to maximize the likelihood of completion.

Promote frequent family time (visitation) between parents and children, between children and appropriate relatives, and between siblings in the most natural setting possible and observe visits.

Assist clients in understanding their case plans and instructions for follow-up and work to ensure that parents are informed consumers who fully understand what is expected of them along with the potential outcomes of their actions or inaction.

Communicate, engage, provide feedback, and motivate clients to participate in their case plan.

Focus on the necessary resources for achieving court ordered services and client's self-directed goals; help clients identify and problem solve any real or perceived barriers.

Provide social work insight and assessment of client's progress and barriers to progress to clients and Legal Team.

In coordination with the Legal Team and in collaboration with CYFD, assist with identifying relevant community services and resources, follow up to ensure referrals are submitted, facilitate engagement in services, promote communication between clients and their providers, and follow-up on progress and toward service plan goals.

Ensure that clients scheduling needs are met and that identified services are available and accessible.

Identify informational gaps and assist clients with understanding clinical reports and assessments completed by CYFD and community providers.

Advocate for culturally appropriate services that fit the clients needs and assist them with setting up, accessing, and utilizing language interpreter and translation services as needed.

Explain the legal proceedings in a developmentally appropriate and trauma informed way.

Educate and prepare clients on how to work with CYFD, judges, court personnel, service providers and other stockholders, and prepare them for court hearing/meetings and non-legal meetings (medical appointments, school meetings) using role-play and other tools.

Accompany clients at court hearings, out-of-court legal meetings, and informal and formal meetings and conferences with CYFD.

Provide encouragement and support to clients while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

Advocate for clients in and out of court according to the Cornerstone Advocacy Model.

Maintain attorney client privilege at all times and report any concerns related to this with the attorney.

Conduct one's self professionally and in accordance with the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Conduct home visits with client and meet client at community locations, various agencies, and other outreach destinations chosen by the client.

Work occasional evening and weekend hours as approved by the Interdisciplinary Services Director.

**Administrative (10%)

Attend administrative division meetings and staff meetings within OFRA.

Maintain client contact logs and enter case notes in OFRA's case management system to track activities and outcomes.

Review case records in the case management system to track progress on the case.

Review reports and assessments completed by CYFD and reports completed by community providers and assist the Legal Team with interpreting and understanding these records

**Interdisciplinary Collaboration (20%)

As a member of the client's Interdisciplinary Legal team, collaborate with the other Legal Team members to represent parents involved in child abuse and neglect cases and to assist them in achieving their stated legal goals.

Participate in Legal Team meetings and maintain ongoing communication with the Legal Team.

Collaborate and consult with other OFRA social workers and Family Peer Support Navigators to identify community resources for clients.

Facilitate communication between client and CYFD.

Assist attorneys by reviewing case files and discovery.

**Miscellaneous (5%)

Perform other duties as assigned to further support the efforts of the OFRA Interdisciplinary team.

Participate in community outreach and projects with partner agencies as directed by management.

**Training and Professional Development (5%)

Participate in supervisor-approved training and professional development opportunities relevant to job duties.

Maintain relevant certification by completing required continuing education units and submitting renewals for re-certification.

Who are the customers?

Office of Family Representation and Advocacy (OFRA) staff, and constituents of New Mexico.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for this position will have the ability to engage in critical thinking; is adaptable, organized and able to multitask; and is empathetic and team-oriented. They will also have respect and appreciation for cultural diversity and a passion for serving disadvantaged populations.

Minimum Qualification

Licensure in New Mexico as an LMSW, LISW, LMHC, LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, or LPAT and one (1) year of experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of the classification.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.

Supplemental Information

Benefits:

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Agency Contact Information: Stacie Ortiz. Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.