Intervention Specialist, Social Work

Job Title

Essential Functions,

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Crisis Prevention and Intervention Support (approximately 30%):

Provides nonclinical crisis de-escalation, emotional support, and stabilization to individuals in distress, under the direction of the Social Work Clinical Manager. Conducts follow-up contacts with individuals and families after crisis events to ensure continuity of care and connection to services. Receives and responds to referrals from Fire/EMS Neighborhood Paramedic, Police officers, code enforcement, and community partners; participates in co-response activities as directed.

Conducts nonclinical intake assessments; assists the Social Work Clinical Manager in developing and implementing service plans for residents with complex needs including housing instability, behavioral health challenges, domestic instability, and social isolation. Performs needs and risk screening; identifies individuals at risk for crisis through community engagement, outreach, and pattern recognition. Provides mentoring, motivation, guidance and emotional support to program participants across the lifespan.

Benefits Navigation and Resource Connection (approximately 30%):

Assists residents in identifying eligibility for and applying to public benefits programs including Medicaid, SNAP, HEAP/PIPP, TANF, SSI/SSDI, WIC, and Veterans benefits. Helps residents complete applications, gather required documentation, and navigate Cuyahoga County Department of Job and Family Services and state eligibility systems. Conducts on site benefits screenings at Cove Community Center and at community events; tracks applications submitted and successful enrollments.

Coordinates referrals to community partners including Lakewood Community Services Center, Lakewood Alive, Neighborhood Family Practice, Signature Health, and other Lakewood and Cuyahoga County based organizations; follows up to ensure residents successfully connect with services. Accompanies and transports clients to appointments, application offices, and service providers as needed. Maintains current knowledge of available benefits, eligibility requirements, application processes, and changes to federal, state, and local assistance programs.

Community Engagement and Outreach (approximately 25%):

Plans, coordinates, and facilitates community engagement programming at Cove Community Center, including community meals, wellness events, and connection activities that serve as entry points for service identification and benefits screening. Conducts proactive outreach throughout the Lakewood community to identify and engage residents who may not independently seek services, with particular attention to underserved populations including isolated older adults, immigrant and refugee families, and LGBTQIA+ residents.

Develops and distributes informational materials, multilingual resource guides, emergency shelter information, and navigation tools about available programs and services. Represents the Department of Human Services at community events, neighborhood meetings, partner agency gatherings, and public forums. Collaborates with the Division of Aging, Division of Youth, and Division of Early Childhood on cross-divisional and intergenerational initiatives. Serves as a liaison and/or member of various committees/teams and collaborates, persuades, presents reports to and negotiates/networks with others outside own work area to coordinate efforts and maintain cooperative and efficient relations.

Administrative and Documentation (approximately 15%):

Maintains accurate client records, case notes, progress notes, statistics and other correspondence related to work processes. Collects and reports program data on services provided, referrals made, benefits enrolled, community event attendance, and outcomes achieved for department leadership, grant compliance, and partner reporting. Participates in interdepartmental collaboration meetings with Fire/EMS, Police, Lakewood Alive, and other city departments and community partners. Completes administrative and clerical functions for office and program;

reports administrative and/or operational problems to the Director.…