Social Worker

About INSIGHT

Founded in 1925 as the Rhode Island Association for the Blind, IN-SIGHT’s mission is to inspire confidence and build skills that help people who are visually impaired and blind to thrive and succeed.

In 2024, the agency provided services to almost 800 adults and children who are blind and visually impaired along with 100 family members. These services included low vision evaluations, independent living skills training, workshops, support groups, recreational activities, and a summer youth camp.

Position Background

While IN-SIGHT provides services to people of all ages, more than half of the agency’s new clients are over the age of seventy. These are typically people who have had normal vision for most of their lives and have recently developed an age-related eye condition that has diminished their usable vision. These changes disrupt almost every aspect of their daily lives including no longer being able to drive and having to learn new ways to accomplish basic tasks. They may or may not be able to count on family and friends to provide appropriate support.

Due to their age and pre-conceived notions about what it means to live with a visual impairment, many newly referred clients are wary about connecting with services due to fear, anger, anxiety, or denial regarding their vision loss.

We are seeking someone who has the experience and personality needed to motivate people to access programs and services that could help them to build self-confidence and regain independence. The ideal candidate will provide initial intakes and assessments, individual counseling, and support sessions when appropriate. The successful candidate will facilitate support groups and develop small group workshops and other interventions to build knowledge, skills, and peer support.

The successful candidate will report to the Director of Client Services and work cooperatively with a second full-time Social Worker and the part-time Client Outreach Coordinator. Together as a team, they will help identify individual client needs, provide emotional support, help clients determine their independent living goals, and develop a plan to help them meet those needs.

When appropriate, the Social Worker will also provide support and information to family members and friends who may be struggling with how to support their loved one best.

Essential Functions

• Determines the nature of the client’s situation by interviewing the client and assessing their current living situation, emotional status, interests, needs, goals, supports, and barriers to services.

• Establishes a course of action by exploring options and setting goals with the client.

• Fosters the client’s action or adjustment by interpreting attitudes and pointing out and explaining new options.

• Monitors planned actions through periodic follow up with clients.

• Facilitates support group meetings.

• Designs small group workshops focused on adapting to vision loss in healthy ways.

• Keeps track of client needs and goals and works with the Client Services staff to develop programs, workshops, or other initiatives to help people meet their needs.

• Identifies barriers to service and works with the Director of Client Services and the Executive Director to find ways to overcome those obstacles.

• With consent from the client, offers support and resources for their families, caregivers, and friends who may also be struggling with the client’s vision loss.

• Maintains a record of client interactions, goals, and progress.

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum BS Degree in Social Work (BSW), master’s degree (MSW) preferred.

• At least five years of experience in the Social Work field.

• Ability to make psychosocial assessments and develop and implement viable care plans.

• At least two years of recent experience facilitating support groups and workshops.

• Excellent listening and communication skills.

• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

• Experience working with older adults and/or people with disabilities highly desired.

• Reliable source of transportation.