On the Case: BHH Adds Case Management Capabilities for Job Training and Mentoring Programs

On the Case: BHH Adds Case Management Capabilities for Job Training and Mentoring Programs

By: Ariella Bloch, Job Training Admissions & Care Coordinator                
                                                                                                                                               I was born and raised in Boca Raton, Florida, where I sparked my passion for helping others. I obtained a Bachelors of Social Work from Florida State University and a Masters of Social Work from Florida Atlantic University. Over the past few years I have had the opportunity to work alongside several agencies, helping various “at risk” populations. I joined Boca Helping Hands (BHH) three months ago and have had the unique opportunity to help mold the role of the Social Worker position to best assist our clients. As the new Social Worker, I want to share with you some thoughts on my brief experience in that role thus far.

I was initially excited to work with an agency whose mission is to help provide clients with assistance in more than one aspect of their life in order to help them integrate successfully back into the community. However, some clients struggle to utilize the full potential of the services offered by BHH due to external factors affecting their daily lives.

BHH has strengthened the resources needed to help provide our clients with a path to self-sufficiency by the recent addition of my services as a Social Worker. I work directly with clients who are enrolled in BHH’s Job Training and Job Mentoring Programs. I am able to provide counseling and case management services to help ensure their overall success within these programs. 

Part of my role is to reach out and assist clients at different stages of their journey through our programs and as they seek employment. For the Job Training Programs, my needs assessment begins with an initial interview of a candidate and continues throughout the Job Readiness phase of our programs. Within the Job Mentoring Program, participating clients are typically referred by their volunteer Job Mentor who believes the services will be beneficial to them. Within both programs, I am able to work one on one with clients, on a personal level, to support them with their individual needs. Based on my initial assessment, I may either continue to help motivate them to succeed, or I can refer them for continuing services provided by one of our partner agencies. So far, I have noticed the most common issues include anxiety, depression, and a lack of confidence, self-esteem and resources.

I try to offer and connect clients with community resources that would benefit them most effectively. I refer them to several agencies within the community including The Faulk Center for Counseling, Jewish Family Services and Genesis Community Health, our medical and dental community partner. Genesis Community Health has recently expanded their services to include behavioral healthcare services, and will now become a resource that will be able to offer those additional services to our community.

Clients are not always aware of the community resources that are available to them and I am working to hopefully connect the dots. I am excited to continue to grow within this role and with an organization that is providing essential services to our community.