Bethesda Cares, Inc.

A community outreach program for the homeless which also seeks to prevent homelessness with an eviction/utility shut-off prevention program.  Offers lunch, showers, clothing, toiletries, medical care, use of the office address, phone and business equipment.  An outreach social worker provides counseling and referrals, assistance with resumes and client advocacy..  

7728 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda MD 20814
Web: www.bethesdacares.com

Job Description: Social Worker Assistant

The incumbent will work with a diverse population of homeless people. The long term volunteer will assist a professional social worker with intake services, provide direct services in answer to clients’ needs, provide referrals to other services, assist with counseling interviews, and assist clients with applications.  This is a loosely structured job as we individualize services to each client.

Training Objectives during the job:

Overall training objectives are designed to give the social worker assistant professional development in the field of social work, provide basic understanding of the systems involved and an overview of policy decision making and outcomes.

• Objectives of the training program:
• Develop listening, questioning, diagnostic skills in working with the homeless population.
• Learn Bethesda Cares overall mission and framework for service delivery which is client centered and directed.
• Learn and exhibit the social worker ethical and professional agency guidelines.
• Understand the agency’s policies and procedures.
• Work with and appreciate the cultural diversity of homeless clients.
• Understand the legal system’s effect on homeless individuals in regard to the mentally ill.
• Understand the legal and ethical concerns of a practicing social work.
• Learn the network of agencies and the referral system to place clients.
• Understand Bethesda Cares role in the continuum of care for the homeless.
• Understand who the key people are in setting social policy in the county.
• Understand and develop resources to assist clients.
• Learn to evaluate and problem solve cases.

• What skills will the trainee acquire during the program?
• Learn the core competencies of a professional social worker.
• Learn resource development in the social service field.
• Exhibit comprehension of the client centered approach of social work.
• Maintain confidential client files and other paperwork.
• Identify behaviors in substance abuse and mental illness as indices for treatment pathways.
• Meet and discuss issues with policy makers.
• Develop working relationships with people from all walks of life.
• Learn case presentation and analysis.
• Learn to question and evaluate underlying beliefs of both system and client issues.
• Collect data, tabulate and evaluate with analysis for planning.
• Gain knowledge of how local, state and Federal decisions affect the poor.
• How does on-the-job training, as opposed to theoretical learning, help the trainee master the skills listed in question 2 above?

Homelessness is a name for many social system failures.  Working on the job gives currency to theoretical learning in the fields of communication, substance abuse, domestic violence, mental illness, cultural issues of the immigrants, and public policy planning. Bethesda Cares offers a laboratory to work on multiple client problems, work with people from different cultures as well as North Americans. Our proximity to Washington DC allows the trainee a chance to learn and follow issues at the local, state and Federal levels of government. This up-close and hands on can’t be taught in the classroom. It also allows for what works in the theoretical and in real practice and what doesn’t. The trainee will have an opportunity to try new behaviors and practices. He/she will work in a supportive environment that encourages new approaches, mistakes may be made to learn and evaluate what works best for him/her and personal style as well as with a difficult to serve population.

1. Methods of the Training Program
1. Orientation Upon arrival the trainee will go through a two week orientation on all programs, services, staff, and volunteers, board of directors and network of providers.
2. Shadowing/Training  The outreach social worker will have the trainee shadow her as well as train him in all aspects of the job including taking him to outside meetings and introducing him to the other agencies. Interspersed though out the year, the trainee will spend time with other staff to learn what they do and see a little deeper how the services tie in with one another. This will follow completion of the intensive social work training. In addition to service, research will be added to look at the social problems and possible policy solutions. This macro approach will give the trainee the system perspective with an eye toward long term solutions. The trainee is slated to attend a three day training on leadership and building bases for policy change.
3. Practicum   The trainee will provide outreach social services under supervision of the social worker.
4. Clinical Supervision  The trainee will present cases to the social worker once a week for feedback and clinical assistance.
5. Feedback/Evaluation  Formal evaluation will follow each training component. Informal feedback from the trainee and to the trainee is part of the daily interaction.
2. The chronological phases of the training program are guidelines. The material may take longer or shorter to absorb than planned. We will mutually adjust the schedule.
• Orientation is planned for a two week period with all staff involved to give trainee an in depth overview of the organization.
• Shadowing will begin and follow a 6 week course of introduction to social worker ethics, responsibilities as well as working with the social worker in all aspects of the job from learning intake process to calling on resources to tailor a treatment plan for the client. In addition, the trainee will have time to meet and talk to those who come to the office but not necessarily for service.
3. Off site activities. The training will include:
• Site visits to other agencies to see how we work together and how they operate.
• Professional meetings in the county, including homeless teaming meeting, criminal justice and behavioral health and coalition for mental health.
• In service trainings at the trainee’s discretion. Trainings are offered by the county Department of Health and Human Services and Suburban Hospital.

1 Westmoreland Circle
Bethesda, MD 20816
301-229-7766
Email the church office: churchinfo@westmorelanducc.org
www.westmorelanducc.org

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