LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY
REPORTS TO: Director of Family Support Services
DEPARTMENT: Family Support Services
SCHEDULE: Full Time / Hybrid
$1,000 Hiring IncentiveAGENCY BACKGROUND:MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND:Family Support Programs provide family focused assistance utilizing Solution Based Casework model which focuses on goals to stabilize and support families. Promoting skill acquisition and behavior change which aligns to the promotion of child well-being outcomes.
POSITION SUMMARY:Family Support Case planner supports and stabilizes families involved with Child Welfare or in crisis utilizing the Solution Based Casework model to prevent out of home placement. Case work counseling is provided and/or referred to address issues concerning Intimate Partner Violence, Mental Health concerns, Substance Use, and School difficulties. Home visits are required to assess the safety of children.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:- Master's Degree in social work or related field
- 2+ years of related work experience as a supervisor in child welfare
- 2+ years of foster care work experience
- Knowledge of and/or training in child development stages
- Knowledge of and/or training in family dynamics
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook
- Ability to engage with clients
- A valid driver's license is strongly preferred
- Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency's Mission, core values, Sanctuary Commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB).
RESPONSIBILITIES:- Overall responsibility for overseeing all aspects of assigned cases
- Hire, train, supervise and evaluate all assigned staff.
- Coordinate monthly staff meetings
- Assist caseworkers in developing realistic treatment goals for the children on their caseloads
- Ensure assigned staff conduct Field Visits to client's homes, schools, treatment centers, etc
- Ensure monthly home visits to assess the quality of care, well being, and safety in the child's home environment.
- Ensure the required/recommended services for each child on assigned caseload (medical, developmental, clinical, and educational) and monitor the outcomes and progress.
- Ensure required documentation for all case actions (progress notes, FASPs, Permanency Reports, Plan Amendments, etc) within established timeframes.
- Attend ACS and agency staff meetings and trainings. Mentoring new staff; providing opportunities for shadowing and assistance with required paperwork.
- Respond to emergencies as needed and/or directed
- Attend to budgetary processes
- Maintain program statistics and prepare reports.
- Represent program at relevant community and professional organizations
BENEFITS/PERKS:- A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family
- 403B retirement benefits
- Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
- Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, 12 paid holidays)
- Free employee assistance program through National EAP
- Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
- Trainings to support professional and personal development
- Employee wellness program
- Employee recognition activities
Salary Range:$63,000 to $67,000Hiring bonus of $1,000 after 500 worked hoursMercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.