OAC Case Worker

Job Title: OAC Case Worker (2 positions)

Supervisor: Director, Aging through Arts Center

Job Status: 1st Position Full-Time Tuesday – Saturday 2nd position Full Time Mon- Friday

Job Hours: 35 hours per week (Fully working on-site pending successful probationary period)

Under the supervision of the Director of the Aging through Arts Center, the OAC Case Worker will assist older adult members in accessing benefits/entitlements and eligibility for assistance in a range of services, including the completion of applications as needed; advocate and intervene with other agencies on behalf of clients; compile stats and maintain complete and accurate case records. In addition, the OAC Case Worker is part of a collaborative effort among all staff directly involved in the service of older adults, coming to the Encore Older Adult Center to provide an atmosphere of hospitality, health, and wellness programs along with an array of other activities.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct intakes with older adults to assess needs such as personal, family, finances, employment, food, clothing, housing, and physical and mental impairments and determine the nature and degree of need;
• Conducts financial screen to determine older adult’s eligibility for financial assistance or benefits and provides or refers clients for related benefits;
• Offers case assistance to older adults by providing them with information on and/or obtaining services, benefits, entitlements, and other areas of concern to older persons (i.e., SNAP, SCRIE, EPIC);
• Help improve an older adult's financial wellness by offering savings programs like HEAP, budgeting, SSI, transportation, discounted cell phone bills, housing applications, employment, Lifeline, tax assistance, etc.
• Refers older adults to community resources and other organizations as needed;
• Provide Information and Referrals to older adult member and/or older adult non-members via phone or in person, as requested;
• Assists with program registration and completes Nutritional Risk Screens for program participants;
• Assist in publicizing specific programs through handouts and posted related flyers;
• Keep accurate agency and funding source required worker logs, case notes, and file records of all interactions with older adults;
• Encourage and enable socialization among older adults and help create an atmosphere that fosters trust, caring, and respect for one another;
• Attends workshops and case conferences as required;
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned by the Director;
• Coordinate and schedule at least one workshop once a month aimed at educating older adults about various benefits, e.g., EPIC, HEAP, SCRIE, and other Health & Wellness/medical/Financial benefits through both government and non-government programs;
• Assist in end-of-life planning in collaboration with VOLS Legal Clinic;
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• BA in Social Work or related field of human services; and at least 1 year of experience in the field of human services, preferably in the field of aging;
• Or an associate degree in the field of human services and at least 2 years of Case Assistance experience working with obtaining entitlements and benefits, preferably in the field of aging;
• Bilingual, Spanish preferred;
• Experience with or willing to learn advocacy skills; benefits & entitlements and referral systems;
• Ability to communicate with program participants and related staff;
• Demonstrate excellent organization and communication skills;
• Good record-keeping abilities and proficiency in computer/web-based programs; • Have a sensitivity and empathy for participants in the programs;
• Work well under supervision.