Seasonal Work Incentive Benefit Practitioner Jobs

Under immediate to general supervision, the CWIC provides counseling and assistance to individuals in the Benefits, Employment, and Education program who are considering or anticipating changes in their benefits situation. This position is to provide information and guidance to Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment specialists and provide participants assistance in obtaining comprehensive, individualized work incentives planning. Work in partnership with others as part of a structured inter-disciplinary team, within a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) model. Services are predominantly delivered to an adult population who carry a serious mental illness, substance abuse, co-occurring and/or medically co-morbid diagnosis.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist clients with applying to various benefits
• Provide guidance on benefits, work incentives, and employment services available to consumers.
• Provide comprehensive, individualized work incentives planning for participants prior to job start
• Provide information and assistance about reporting earnings to Social Security Administration (SSA), housing programs, etc., depending on the person’s benefits.
• Facilitate access to work incentives planning when clients need to make decisions about changes in work hours and pay.
• Work incentives planning includes SSA benefits, medical benefits, medication subsidies, housing subsidies, food stamps, spouse and dependent children benefits, past job retirement benefits and other source of income.
• Provide information to beneficiaries on health benefits coverage options that may be available.
• Show knowledge of SSA’s Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability programs and work incentives as well as other federal, state, and local work incentive programs and be able to communicate this knowledge in an effective and easy-to-understand manner.
• Provide presentations and outreach to the community, in accordance with SSA guidelines.
• Promote employment and self-sufficiency through the use of work incentives.
• Maintain effective and ongoing communication with the IPS team(s).
• Collect information about community resources, bringing new information back to staff and adding to resource database.
• Complete training by an accredited institution, Cornell University or the University of Virginia Commonwealth.
• Attend IPS 101 training
• Complete continuing education and training necessary to maintain certifications.
• Attend IPS supervision meetings and consultation calls to ensure the highest level of professional practice.
• Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the mental health field by reading books, journals, and other relevant material.

• Attend continuing education seminars and workshops to keep certifications current.
• Develop and share recovery-oriented material with the assigned treatment team(s).
• Actively seek new information to enhance the effectiveness of services.
• Work with supervisor to establish contact with community partners and external referral sources for program presentations and following up with those organizations over time to identity new referrals.
• Attend and participate in organizational meetings and treatment team meeting with multi-disciplinary team to utilize a team based care approach when working with clients.
• Document client progress to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
• Demonstrates understanding of various best-practice treatment models to work with individuals with Serious Mental Illness, Co-occurring disorders, and trauma
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge on trauma informed evidenced based practices and co-occurring treatments

Bachelor’s Degree in social services or similar field required. CWIC certification from Cornell University or University of Virginia Commonwealth, or be willing to obtain within first 6 months of employment. Case Management Certification or obtain by taking the first available Case Management II Certification course provided by ODMHSAS after hire.  Must have a strong commitment to the right and ability of each person served to live in normal community residences; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services. Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with mental illnesses and/or substance use issues and respect for client rights and personal preferences in treatment are essential. Knowledge of the service system, benefits, entitlements and supports utilized by people with disabilities. Must possess a valid Oklahoma Driver License and satisfactory driving record and use personal automobile to travel to locations other than primary office.

• Preferred:

• At least two years of documented experience working with persons with disabilities or personal experience with a disability preferred.
• Minimum one-year experience in mental health care setting, preferably with Serious Mental Illness background

This job is classified as a “safety-sensitive” position as defined by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act.  Due to the “safety-sensitive” classification, an employee in this position would be subject to drug and alcohol testing, including random testing.  Marijuana is one of the substances included in the drug panel screening.  Possession of a medical marijuana license will not excuse you from the testing process or the consequences of testing positive for marijuana per the Family & Children’s Services Drug Free Workplace Policy, including possible revocation of a job offer or dismissal from employment.