Licensed Clinical Social Worker -Special Education Preschool

Since 1893, Helen Keller Services (HKS) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have combined hearing and vision loss. HKS serves in the New York City/Long Island area from its new headquarters in dynamic downtown Brooklyn and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults of Sands Point, New York, which has a network of regional offices that extends HKS' reach across the United States.

Helen Keller Services for the Blind is thrilled to announce we will be expanding our Children's Learning Center to two brand-new Long Island locations in Nassau and Suffolk County! These state-of-the-art facilities will serve preschool children who are blind or have low vision, as well as multiple disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, or pervasive developmental delays. This expansion reflects HKSB’s commitment to ensuring that Long Island families have access to the same high-quality early education and support services that have transformed lives in our Brooklyn Children Learning Center.

The Social Worker is responsible for the execution of HKS’s Mission, goals and objectives through representing the agency and acting as a full time Social Worker in the Children’s Learning Center. Assuring the health, safety and other living necessities of approximately 60 special education preschoolers and their families. Must demonstrate a sincere commitment to HKS’s Mission and Values and conduct him/herself at a high professional level at all times and project a positive image of HKS internally and externally. Our schools operate 12 months/year following a school-based calendar.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Plan and Conduct Children’s Learning Center IEP Assessments
• Assess the families’ strengths and challenges during the Family Social History interview / evaluation report process and the need for further support from within the school and from outside social service agencies.
• Where appropriate, the School Social Worker will represent the CLC with other social services agencies and local Nassau County school districts.
• Understand and execute a formal case review of the student’s history including educational, rehabilitation and medical information that is available.
• Gain an understanding before formal in-person assessment through dialogue with the student’s parents and school district administrators as to the child’s present functioning level to determine appropriate classroom placement and need for supports.
• Assess the student’s present level of functioning in each of the following areas related to their education:
• Cognitive
• Social / Emotional

Children’s Learning Center School Social Worker Related Concepts

The Children’s Learning Centers’, School Social Worker will be able to explain, demonstrate, provide instruction and reinforce all areas of the Nassau County districts placement and intake process. This will be done through working collaboratively with the School Principal.

The School Social Worker will help families locate resources, such as housing, medical insurance, Medicaid and other appropriate social supports.

Commitment to the Students and their Families

• 1.
• The School Social Worker will support represent the Children’s Learning Center at students IEP and “Turning 5” meeting to help determine the students’ appropriate placement when he / she enters Kindergarten.
• 2.
• The Children’s Learning Center School Social Worker will respect the rights of each student’s family to participate in decisions regarding their assessment and instructional program.
• 3.
• The Children’s Learning Center School Social Worker will effectively monitor the development of each of his / her student’s skills, assess risk to the student during all assessment and instructional activities, and protect the best interest of each student via intervening as appropriate to ensure consumer safety.
• 4.
• The Children’s Learning Center School Social Worker will facilitate each student’s independence and problem solving across all five domains, (fine & gross motor, speech / language, cognitive and social emotional skills).
• 5.
• Communicate and share relevant information with families using school platforms, email and phone.

Commitment to the Profession and HKSB

• 1.
• The Children’s Learning Center School Social Worker will maintain their New York State certification by performing the essential social work responsibilities at HKSB and remain current with social work research via continuing education opportunities.
• 2.
• The Children’s Learning Center School Social Worker will keep notes of every student for assessment and instruction detailing the objective, details of class, and next steps to achieve.
• 3.
• The Children’s Learning Center School Social Worker will compose and submit all Children’s Learning Center’s social histories.
• 4.
• The Children’s Learning Center School Social Worker will participate and contribute in monthly teacher meetings and all full staff meetings.
• 5.
• The Children’s Learning Center School Social Worker will maintain a professional demeanor at all times and contribute to the upkeep of their personal space and shared work space.

• REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
• Current New York State licensure/registration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• Master’s degree in social work and 2 years’ experience in a pediatric or school setting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Physical demands

• The social worker must be able to stand, walk, sit, bend, climb stairs, and navigate both indoor and outdoor environments as part of daily operations. Occasional physical assistance of students may be required in emergencies or safety-related situations. The social worker must be able to lift, support, or assist a preschool-aged child (up to approximately 35 pounds) consistent with program needs and safety protocols.
• Available to commute between the Plainview and Islandia CLC locations as required.

• At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. We offer generous paid time off and comprehensive benefit package including:
• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid vacation time
• Paid personal days
• Paid sick time
• Voluntary ancillary insurance plans

Helen Keller Services for the Blind is an equal opportunity employer.