By Justin Roshak, Contributing Writer
HUDSON – The Town will create a new full-time community social worker position to help Hudson residents access key services.
The job will pay $60,387 to start and is funded by a grant.
The duties will focus on meeting citizens’ needs by helping them access existing resources and services for a variety of problems.
The social worker will focus on Hudson residents experiencing vulnerability, such as the elderly, the sick, and citizens with disabilities. They will make home visits while also keeping office hours.
The position will be organized under the Hudson Board of Health, and will work under the supervision of Director of Public and Community Health Kelli Calo.
The social worker will join a team that includes a director, sanitarian, public health nurse, two state program coordinators, and an administrator.
Their duties will differ in that they will spend most of their time interfacing with the public in an advisory capacity.
The post will function in a confidential capacity, as the social worker will have personal access to the economic and personal situations of residents they work with.
The Select Board approved the job description at their August 9 meeting. The position will be posted until filled.
Hudson is not the first town in its area to employ a specialized position for social service support. The role, however, takes different forms in different communities.
Sudbury’s Health Department has multiple social workers on staff. They perform many of the same functions as Hudson’s social worker will be expected to, focusing on children and the elderly. Their work includes individuals with mental health and housing resources as well as resources for basic needs.
Marlborough has no specialized social worker position in their Health Department. Instead, they have a separate Department of Human Services (with a single listed employee).
Similarly, nearby Stow employs a Social Services Coordinator.
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