Aftercare Worker

LOCATION: Brightwaters

REPORTS TO: Director of Case Management- New York Residential Program

DEPARTMENT: New York City Residential Programs

SCHEDULE: Full Time / Hybrid

$1,000 Hiring Incentive

AGENCY & PROGRAM 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, Staten Island 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.

MercyFirst's Qualified Residential Treatment Program (Group Home) provides 24-hour residential care and supportive services for youth with a history of trauma and the presence of complex needs. Three agency-operated group homes provide youth with structure and supervision within community-level settings designed to provide evidence-based treatment to promote emotional and physical safety and stability, practice positive coping skills, and build healthy relationships, as well as case management services to support discharge planning through family reunification or independent housing, and youth development services to foster growth and competency in daily life skills .


POSITION SUMMARY:

Aftercare worker for the QRTP program will be responsible for assessment, engagement and case management services for clients and families towards successful transition out of QRTP placement. This qualified candidate will be a part of a multi-disciplinary team and work alongside the QRTP caseplanner and will refer guardian for supportive services, including medical, clinical and concrete services. Upon the youth' transition out of the QRTP program, the Aftercare Caseworker will provide the youth and their family with continued casework support up until the youth's placement order expires, to ensure successful reintegration into the community and in the home. Case planner will present the program's efforts in legal proceedings, ACS/OCFS meetings and other interagency conferences. qualified candidate will complete the required progress notes, assessments, Psychosocial reports, FASPs, court reports, etc within timely mandates.


RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct regular casework sessions with each client in accordance with Federal, State, and Local mandates.
• While youth is in placement: minimal monthly meeting with youth and family.
• Meet with youth 2x weekly/legal guardian weekly for the first 6 weeks; once weekly thereafter. Home assessments within the first week of youth's placement, monthly thereafter.
• Collateral contact weekly with youth's school/therapist/other resources.
• Document all contacts in designated platforms within established timeframes
• Prepare all required documentation on each case which include progress notes, psychosocial reports, permanency hearing notes, FASPs, etc.
• Attend legal proceedings such as family court hearings
• Actively participate in staff training and supervision meetings.
• Respond to emergencies as needed and/or directed
• Participate in Family Team Conference, Child Safety conference and other organized conferences.
• Availability to assist with after hour supports to clients and families.
• Provide after-care services to clients upon discharge from residential care.

• Participation in weekly supervision, program meetings, trainings and workshops to enhance professional development and advance program development initiatives
• Establish and sustain a workplace environment that is respectful and supportive of staff, all members of family, community service providers, and other external stakeholders
• Collaborate with other community-based service providers to advance client-specific needs and assist with obtaining services including, but not limited to housing, financial assistance, health care, mental health services, education services, legal advocacy, and parenting support.

• Training and Participation in the implementation of evidence-based/supported models of practice and treatment: Nurturing Parenting. Motivational Interviewing.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate/Master's degree in a related Human Services field Required
• 1+ year work related experience with the knowledge and training in working with children and families including child development stages and family dynamics.
• Prior experience working with children and families known to the Child Welfare system, impacted by Abuse and Trauma preferred
• Strong Engagement, Organizational and Communication skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to child welfare best practice standards.
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency's mission, core values, Sanctuary commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and belonging (DEIB)
• Ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends and to be on call for emergencies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite

• Demonstrate competency in child development.
• Demonstrate cultural competency.

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 days, and 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:

$58,000.00-$60,000.00 per year (35 hours a week)
Hiring Incentive-$1,000 after 500 worked hours.

MercyFirst 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.