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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Legal Aid Foundation of LA Opportunity

LEGAL AID FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES

1102 S. Crenshaw Boulevard ­ Los Angeles, CA 90019 ­(323) 801-7991



POSITION: SOCIAL WORKER, MSW (Temporary one-year position)

LOCATION: Various Offices (Long Beach, Los Angeles)

SALARY: $41,897 - $57,769/DOE, excellent benefits

AVAILABILITY: Immediately

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continuous until position is filled


The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) is the frontline law firm for low-income people in Los Angeles and is currently accepting applications for the position of Social Worker. LAFLA is committed to promoting access to justice, strengthening communities, fighting discrimination, and effecting systemic change through representation, advocacy, and community education.


The Organization: LAFLA (www.LAFLA.org) consists of approximately 160 employees, and over 60 attorneys. The program has an annual operating budget of more than 19 million, and operates six neighborhood offices and four court-based offices.


QUALIFICATIONS


Masters Degree in Social Work;

Dedication to helping survivors of domestic violence in their quest for justice and self-sufficieny;

Excellent organizational, cross-cultural communication skills;

Prior advocacy or academic experience in family and/or immigration law preferred; and

Bilingual; Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese or Khmer preferred.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES



· Ability to work with survivors of domestic violence;

· Interview clients and assess legal, social, medical, psychological and other needs to assist them to better navigate the legal process;

· Provide support to clients’ psychosocial needs, parenting needs, life skills and job development, and assist in the creation of plans to help the survivor become more independent and stable. Coordinate counseling, medical and mental health treatment, housing, education, job-training, and other social services;

· Coordinate and conduct support groups, provide counseling and emotional support to survivors to help them maintain relative stability while they process their legal cases and pursue other remedies and benefits;

· Verify initial and/or on-going eligibility with the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) and communicating with DPSS staff regarding eligibility and progress;

· Assist survivors recount their experiences to complete applications for family law, immigration, and other forms of relief and prepare testimony while providing support to minimize retraumatization;

· Coordinate communication with and advocate on behalf of clients to law enforcement, government agencies, social service agencies, educational institutions, medical and legal professionals, and others to help clients understand and navigate the legal system.


HOW TO APPLY - Please submit a resume to Diane Talamantez, Human Resources, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, 1102 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019; jobs@lafla.org; (323)801-7945 via fax.


PROBATIONARY PERIOD - A nine months probationary period will be required.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Downtown Women's Center Opportunity

Director of Clinical Health Services
The mission of the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) is to provide permanent supportive housing and a safe and healthy community fostering dignity, respect, and personal stability and to advocate ending homelessness for women. Founded in 1978, DWC was the first organization to exclusively serve mentally ill and elderly homeless women on Los Angeles’ Skid Row. The DWC Day Center now offers 57,000 meals, case management, and other supportive resources on a drop‐in basis to 2000 homeless women each year, while the DWC Residence provides a permanent home and a range of services to 47 women who were once without safe, affordable housing. DWC will relocate in 2010 to provide expanded and enhanced services, reaching many more women in need. Please visit our website – www.DWCweb.org – for more information.

JOB DESCRIPTION
DWC is seeking an enthusiastic, seasoned professional to lead a department of experienced psychiatric and counseling staff and oversee medical health providers supported by an outside agency to provide core medical and mental health services to women in the community. This new and unique full‐time position is responsible for the development and clinical and administrative operations of DWC’s new mental health clinic as well as the oversight and coordination of a new medical clinic provided through a partner agency. The individual in this position will be an integral part of DWC’s management team and will supervise a large department of specialized professionals and therefore must be able to dedicate the necessary time and energy to providing advice, expertise and support as necessary.
This is a great opportunity to be a part of a successful and expanding nonprofit organization with a rich history in building community. The right candidate will have the chance to make a direct and significant impact on the downtown Los Angeles community, promoting DWC’s successful service models and playing a large part to shape and expand the delivery of enhanced services that meet the immediate and long‐term needs of low‐income and homeless women. The ideal candidate must have the vision, strategic capacity and courage to break new ground and establish the highest standards of excellence in a dynamic
environment. S/he must also be able to balance the day‐to‐day needs of the organization in a collegial atmosphere as a key member of the senior management team.

JOB DUTIES
Assist in the creation, planning, and development of the Center’s new medical and mental health clinic, including hiring appropriate mental health staff and establishing a reporting structure.
Provide leadership and supervision for direct‐service and direct‐care professionals to effectively administer mental and medical health services to clients
Oversee and monitor outpatient psychiatric, psychological, diagnostic, treatment and interventions offered to DWC clients
Plan, develop, coordinate and supervise the delivery of mental health services as mandated by Federal and State laws and regulations, and ensure compliance
Maintain quality control of medical and mental health records and other necessary documentation
Attend and participate in ongoing community initiative, coalition and task‐force meetings, and provide staff support and leadership for a Clinic Advisory Committee made up of physicians with the purpose of providing quality assurance reports to the DWC Board of Directors and establishing and maintaining relationships to best serve the needs of the organization and the women it serves
Manage a departmental budget with ongoing reporting

NECESSARY SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:
Advanced Degree in Psychology, Public Health (MPH) or Social Work (MSW), Licensed Nurse, LCSW or Psychiatrist
Five years experience in supervision of a similar clinical or mental health environment and demonstrated experience managing progressive responsibilities as a senior or executive staff member
Knowledge of state and federal medical and mental health regulations, funding streams, and model services
Exceptional customer‐service orientation; proven ability to build consensus and work effectively in a cross‐departmental team
Experience managing large scale projects and driving change initiatives
Program start‐up experience or demonstrated capacity to develop programs, policies and procedures a plus
Demonstrated record as a successful team player, including the ability to develop and maintain a goal‐oriented, positive attitude throughout the organization; must be able to interface equally well with the Board of Directors, executive staff, direct reports, and the general DWC community
Detail‐oriented, highly organized, and able to set and meet goals and deadlines
Oral and written fluency in Spanish and English a plus
Experience supervising Social Work or Psychiatry students preferred
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) required

Hours: This is full‐time exempt position. Office hours are 9:00am to 5:30pm; however, schedule may vary.

To Apply: Please email cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: Catherine Crosbie, Director of HR & Administration at
HR@DWCweb.org.