Social Work

Social work

NDCS licensed social workers provide reentry assistance to individuals who display one or more risk factors, such as major mental illness, a history of sex offenses, a history of violent offenses, a history of chronic substance abuse, or serious and chronic medical conditions.

The primary role of the social worker is to assist with discharge planning, serve as a resource and consultant to other NDCS staff members and to provide mental health services to incarcerated individuals as needed.  They provide a variety of services, including: assistance with obtaining Social Security, Medicaid, food stamp benefits, identification documents, and veteran's assistance; securing appropriate living arrangements; arranging medical appointments; and providing information on community resources.

Social Work Services mission:

To provide comprehensive and integrated discharge and aftercare planning as part of the continuum of care provided by Behavioral Health Services.  We seek to address the needs of primarily high risk and high needs inmates with the goal of reducing recidivism by connecting inmates to community resources and supports that will help them maintain stable lives in the communities in which they reside.

What does social work do for incarcerated individuals?

How social work can support your loved one:

Community Coordination 

  • Social workers coordinate with a variety of community providers and agencies for mental health services, substance abuse treatment and medical services. Providers include the Veteran's Administration, DHHS, treatment agencies, private practice and non-profit organizations.
  • Needs Addressed:  Housing, medical, mental health, basic needs, re-entry. 

Living Needs 

  • Social workers assist individuals with high medical/mental health needs to find clothing resources, apply for benefits or general assistance and other life needs.
  • Needs addressed:  Social work services.

Medical Services Coordination 

  • Social workers assist individuals with high medical needs to set appointments for medication management, healthcare and provide resources to obtain medical insurance upon release:
  • Needs addressed:  Health, mental health, life skills, re-entry.

Specialized Housing Services 

  • Social workers provide assistance to individuals with high medical/mental health needs to obtain transitional living, assisted living or skilled nursing care, as needed.
  • Needs addressed:  Re-entry

Specialized Population Served 

  • Specialized Population Served offers services for inmates with mental illness or serious chronic medical conditions that are high risk and multi-needs.
  • Needs addressed:  Health; mental health

Community Support

Ways you can support your loved one:

Connect with Social Work Services: NDCS social workers play an important role in helping incarcerated individuals navigate challenges, strengthen support systems and prepare for a successful transition back into the community. Through individualized support, resource connections and reentry planning, social workers help individuals build a foundation for long-term success.

Family members and loved ones are valuable partners in this process. Your encouragement, communication and involvement can make a meaningful difference during incarceration and throughout reentry.

Ways you can support your loved one:

  • Encourage connection with social work staff: Remind your loved one that support is available. Encourage them to reach out to social work staff at their facility to discuss challenges, identify needs and explore available resources.
  • Stay connected and engaged: Maintain regular communication through visits, phone calls and messages. Positive relationships provide encouragement, stability and a sense of connection throughout incarceration.
  • Support reentry planning: Talk with your loved one about their goals for returning to the community. Discuss potential needs such as housing, transportation, employment, healthcare and rebuilding family relationships. Encourage them to work with NDCS staff to develop a realistic plan.
  • Help identify community resources: Explore local organizations, employment opportunities, educational programs and other services that may provide support following release. Share helpful information with your loved one so they can discuss available options with their reentry team.
  • Provide encouragement and accountability: Celebrate progress, encourage participation in programming and help your loved one establish realistic goals. Continued support, healthy boundaries and positive reinforcement can help strengthen their path toward lasting change.

Your involvement matters. By staying connected, encouraging personal growth and helping your loved one prepare for the future, you can be an important part of building a stronger support system and creating opportunities for a successful reentry.

Social Work Careers

NDCS is currently seeking a Certified Master Social Worker at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, in Lincoln, NE

The hiring rate is $30.309/hour PLUS $3/hour facility differential for hours worked.

**Master Social Worker also encouraged to apply and will be considered at a lesser salary of $28.196. Additional $3/hour facility differential for hours worked.


Requirements/Qualifications:  

Certified Master Social Worker: Masters degree in social work and two years of Master Social Worker experience. 

Master Social Worker: Master's degree in social work. 


Social Work Duties:

  • Conduct comprehensive assessments and provide discharge planning and reentry assistance primarily to inmates with high needs, and particularly to inmates who have an identified serious mental illness, substance abuse diagnoses, sex offenses and/or inmates with chronic medical conditions.
  • Serve as a liaison with community providers, families and state and federal assistance programs.
  • Provide information/education about resources to other inmates and staff throughout NDCS.
  • Participate on behavioral health interdisciplinary team to coordinate care and create individualized treatment plans.
  • Opportunity to supervise social work interns.
  • Obtain/maintain full certification as a Certified Master Social Worker.  Encouraged but not mandatory: obtain/maintain full licensure as a Mental Health Practitioner or Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner. Clinical supervision is provided.
     

Legal Requirements: Certification as a Master Social Worker by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is required in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. ยง38-2128.

Click to Apply

Meet Our Team

At the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS), our social workers are the architects of second chances. These dedicated professionals provide support with vital clinical intervention, mental health advocacy, and comprehensive reentry planning to help individuals successfully transition back into our communities. By addressing the root causes and securing essential resources like housing and healthcare, our social work team lives out our mission to keep people safe and support our work to TRANSFORM Nebraska.