**This is an on-site position at the Davie location. Remote workers will NOT be considered.**
POSITION SUMMARY:
This is highly a responsible grant funded position involving monitoring and coordinating the care of persons/wards under the guardianship of the St. Thomas University d/b/a Office of the Public Guardian located in Broward County. The office is located in Davie, Florida. OPG is the appointed public guardian for the 17th Judicial Circuit pursuant to section 744.2006, Florida Statutes. In Florida, public guardians serve incapacitated persons of limited financial means in situations where there is no family member or friend, other person, bank, or corporation willing and qualified to serve as guardian.
The Guardian Representative serves as an advocate to the most vulnerable adults in the community and performs a variety of tasks requiring knowledge of guardianship law, social work practice, and student intern supervision. Local travel and field work throughout the area of assigned responsibility is required.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Adhere to Florida Statute 744 and 765 in the provision of guardianship services by:
- Providing case management services to assigned clients to include face-to-face monthly visits at clients’ residence/facility.
- Coordinating the timely development of 6-month reports, initial and annual guardianship plans on all clients to assure that all clients receive all services and benefits that they are entitled to receive.
- Attend and actively participate in care plans and support plan meetings to ensure that clients receive all services and benefits that they are entitled to receive.
- Locating and developing community resources available to meet client needs. Conduct on-going evaluations to monitor client progress and needs.
- Analyzing data to measure the effectiveness of community programs and/or services to meet client needs and identify the resources or adjustments necessary for effectiveness of program or services.
- Appearing in Court and presenting recommendations to the Circuit Court Judge and adhering to orders issued by the judge, as needed.
- Developing monitoring and compliance reviews as well as quality assurance techniques to measure quality and appropriateness of service delivery.
- Recommending dispositional alternatives for various cases as necessary.
- Serving on-call duty as scheduled by executive director.
- May be cross-trained and perform other related duties incidental to work described herein.
- Maintaining accurate, timely, and comprehensive records in accordance with Florida Statute.
Performs all guardianship duties, including coordination and collaboration for service provision by:
- Following policies and procedures of the agency related to reporting, court compliance and documentation.
- Providing liaison with institutional and facility staff, medical staff, and various social service organizations to effectively meet client needs.
- Communicating detailed information via various types of secure communication formats to representatives of the Department of Children and Families, Social Security, Veterans Administration, as well as authorizes and consents to entitlement related functions. Responsible for all aspects of ward entitlement applications and maintenance including applications for Medicaid, Social Security and SSI benefits.
- Monitoring, tracking, and performing DCF interviews and redetermination requirements as needed and collaborates with Financial Specialist, Benefits and Eligibility Coordinator, and Paralegal in this area.
- Completing required initial guardianship intake and pre-guardianship assessment to determine whether a referral is appropriate for the services of the Office of the Public Guardian.
- Completing required initial social, legal, and medical investigative work relating to court cases.
- Performing other related duties incidental to work described herein.
- Attending all required case reviews, staff meetings, staff trainings, staff meetings, and consultations.
- Provide mentoring and related training to newly hired social work colleagues at the Public Guardian's office.
