Social Worker - Preschool Special Education - Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania is a leading nonprofit provider of disability services. We primarily serve children from birth to 8 years with a variety of disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, spina bifida and physical and developmental delays. Our services include Approved Private School, special classrooms, summer programs, assistive technology, early intervention programs and various outpatient speech, physical and occupational therapy programs.  Our team combines expertise and passion to provide exceptional services to meet the needs of every client we serve. Join our community of like-minded individuals, to make a lasting impact, and be part of a rewarding career that fosters diversity, compassion, and independence. Be part of our mission to provide exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play and their communities.

As a member of the Administrative Team, the Social Worker is expected to understand the systems within which the agency operates and the funders for whom the agency provides services. Responsibilities Include:  

• Assist Program Director in all matters related to the key transitions of children entering and exiting the Approved Private School (APS) Program.   
• Assist parents in understanding the special needs of their children. 
• Facilitate parent support groups, interest groups and social gatherings for families. 
• Assist families in learning to become advocates for their child. 
• Work in partnership with parents and others on those problems in a child’s living situation that affect the child’s adjustment in school. 
• Make home visits as the team and family indicate a need. 
• Develop and facilitate with the Program Director an orientation program for families entering the APS Program. 
• Develop and facilitate with the Program Director and the Nursing Supervisor an orientation program for Private Duty Nurses assigned to children in the APS Program. 
• Mobilize school and community resources to enable the child to learn as effectively as possible in his or her educational program. 
• Provide information and referrals when requested. 
• Present Easterseals’ child abuse policy to all staff.
• Act as Philadelphia Division point person in the reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect. 
• Participate in all team meetings for the APS classrooms. 
• Support staff in identifying concerns for social service intervention. 
• Participate in IEP process as needed. 
• Collaborate with team members in the coordination of Early Intervention services. 
• Provide IEP specified Social Work services to children and identified family members. 
• Participate in the development of new initiatives and programs for families. 
• Contribute monthly to the division newsletter. 
• Provide consultation as needed to other contracted programs regarding family issues. 
• Work with Division Director to develop necessary social work budget. 
• Submit all required paperwork in a timely fashion, including but not limited to Monthly Service Reports (MSR’s), evaluation reports (ER’s), IEP’s and payroll information. 
• Supervise Social Work interns when needed.  
• Participate in Yaffe Center Administration Chain-of-Command. 
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Program Director or the Division Director. 

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited college recognized by the Council of Social Work Education. Preferred but not required. 
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW) with appropriate experience will be considered. 
• Certified and maintained as a professional, licensed Social Worker by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania OR should be eligible for licensure within one year of hire date. 
• Previous Social Work experience of at least 2 years in a pediatric, medical or educational setting is preferred. 
• Willingness to explore the emotional impact of special needs and chronically ill children on oneself, staff and families. 
• Reliable personal transportation required. 

• Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) organization for public service loan forgiveness eligibility purposes.
• Please review the background check requirements information located on the ‘Careers’ page of our website: https://www.easterseals.com/sepa/who-we-are/careers-at-easter-seals/
• Easterseals is an equal opportunity provider and an equal opportunity employer.