The CASES Manhattan ACT team provides non-traditional community based mental health treatment to promote the recovery and community integration of 68 adults with serious mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders living mainly in Upper Manhattan (Harlem and Inwood), to reduce use of ERs and inpatient hospital stays. The Social Worker/Vocational Specialist is an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team of mental health clinicians. The specialist delivers routine ACT treatment services such as supported employment, wellness self-management counseling, integrated dual disorder treatment, daily living skills and general case management. The specialist has lead responsibility on the team for integrating vocational goals and services with the tasks of all team members to support consumers to participation in vocational training, adult education, ESL, and competitive employment. We are looking for a professional clinician with extensive experience in vocational assessment, job exploration, and skills development in choosing, getting, and maintaining employment. This is a field-based position and requires at least 80% of services to be provided to participants in their homes, shelters, places of employment, vocational and education settings and other community settings.  

• Complete the ACT comprehensive assessment and lead the assessment
of the addiction related components of the assessment
• Identify the treatment services consumers should receive in ACT based on
severity of substance use diagnosis, stage of change and immediate
needs and recommend treatment objectives for the consumer’s service
plan
• During the assessment obtains information: a) to establish the degree of
risk for substance use and associated harmful behaviors, and
interventions required to promote progress towards recovery, and b) lead
the ACT team in daily meetings and weekly clinical meetings around
addiction issues and incorporate findings into service plans
• Build in review and evaluation points, and modify the service plan in the
light of feedback from recipients and relevant others
• Develop comprehensive service plans and 6-month service plan reviews in
collaboration with the consumer and the consumer’s support system
• Run weekly Relapse Prevention group
• Involve family and significant others in the consumer’s treatment with the
ACT team
• Complete 6-month comprehensive assessment, crisis intervention and
relapse prevention plans, progress notes and other significant data
• Provide individual mental health, relapse prevention, harm reduction and
substance abuse counseling based on motivational interviewing and
cognitive behavioral responses to mental illness and substance abuse
• Work effectively with the consumer’s support system, education and
vocational training providers, and self-help groups providing services to
ACT consumers. Link consumers to self-help recovery groups
• Complete at least 68 face to face treatment contacts in the community
each month
• Direct standards for toxicology screens, along with team psychiatrist and in
accordance with Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) orders

• Assess and provide supports to consumer to address needs for problem solving,
wellness self-management, housing, income support, education
and vocational training, social supports, employment, and primary care.
• Act as an advocate and liaison for consumers in securing emergency
detox and rehabilitation care, and other community supports that promote
integrated dual disorder treatment
• Evaluate, on a continuing basis, use of services and expected outcomes
• Involve family, significant others, and housing providers in treatment
• Provide 24-hour crisis intervention on-call services on rotating basis
• Provide 80 percent of treatment contacts in the community
• Provide culturally competent services in accordance with CASES policies
and practice

•  Bachelor's degree and CASAC required
• At least three years of experience working in human services with
individuals with serious mental illness and those with serious mental
illness and co-occurring substance use disorders
• Experience understanding various evidence-based models and theories
pertaining to trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, stage-wise
approach to treatment of substance abuse and serious mental illness
• Highly organized and self-motivated
• Proficient in AWARDS

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Salary Commensurate with experience