Solution-Based Casework (SBC) Case Planner (Queens Location)

JOB TITLE: Solution-Based Casework (SBC) Case Planner 
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time 
LOCATION: Hybrid – 2-3 days in office (Queens Location) 
REPORTS TO: Solution-Based Casework Supervisor 
SALARY: $62,166.99 Annually 

ABOUT AAFSC: 

For over 30 years, the Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) has proudly served immigrants and refugees. We help children stay safe, families remain together, and newcomers navigate life in New York City. While our doors are open to all, AAFSC has expertise in serving Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, Muslim, and South Asian communities.

JOB OBJECTIVE: 

To provide high-quality case planning, case work, and case management services to at-risk families referred by the Administration for Children’s Services. These families may be experiencing a wide range of challenges, including personal/marital/relationship problems, financial stressors, acculturation issues, family destabilization, and/or parent/child conflict. The Case Planner provides intensive preventive services to avoid foster care placement and ensure the safety and welfare of children in the home. He or she provides the family with services according to ACS standards and requirements. The Case Planner follows a Solution Based Casework (SBC) practice model. SBC is based on three theoretical foundations: family life cycle theory, relapse prevention/CBT theory, and solution-focused family therapy. Partnership with families in each and every case is critical to reducing risks and solutions should utilize prevention skills to achieve those goals. 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Case Management & Advocacy 

• Ensure timely completion of SBC training & certification. 

• Conduct home visits and office visits to assess child safety and risk elements, complying with ACS requirements. Face-to-face contacts should be conducted twice per month, at a minimum and includes home visits (two home visits must be conducted if children 0-2 years old are present) and office visits (e.g., school, doctor’s office, AAFSC), as well as other out-of-home visits (e.g., park). More visits may be required. 

• Provide case work/case management services to families receiving Preventive Services (12 cases); which includes but is not limited to providing supportive casework, focusing on service goals, and child welfare laws, improving family relationships and bonding, coping skills, parenting, etc. 

• Ensure joint-home visits are conducted within 5 business days from the date of referral.  

• Evaluate and assess the current family functioning including child safety and home safety (e.g., assessing other adults in the home, ensuring safe sleep, working fire alarms, window guards, etc.). 

• Work in partnership with the family to formulate outcomes & service plans with the family. 

• Ensure all initial intake documents (AAFSC intake, Domestic Violence screening, child trafficking) are completed and processed accurately using AAFSC internal database (i.e., Apricot). 

• Advocate for the family by linking them to needed services in the community: medical, mental health, entitlements, day care, home health aide services, substance abuse treatment, anger management, etc. and follow up to monitor participation and progress. 

• In collaboration with the Conference Facilitator, support the facilitation of Family Team Conferences and Service Termination Conferences, as well as other relevant ACS-led conferences. Family Team Conferences must be conducted within 4 weeks of the  FASP due date. 

• Ensure FASPs are launched 30 days prior to the due date and submitted to Supervisor 3 weeks prior to the due date. 

• Complete Initial, Comprehensive, all Reassessment FASPs, and Plan Amendments for all Advocate Preventive Only (ADVPO) cases offline. 

• Complete and Submit Child Trafficking Screening for Child Welfare Services and ADVPO cases. 

• Evaluate walk-ins and community referrals for needed services and potentially for advocacy cases. 

• Provide case coverage in the absence of a co-worker (as needed). 

• Schedule and coordinate monthly visits with FSU workers (applicable to FSU cases only). 

Quality Assurance, Communication, and Documentation 

• Complete all documents required by ACS in a timely manner (5 business days) including but not limited to progress notes and FASPs using templates in a manner that reflects the progress or lack thereof, including the reaction of the family to services during the review period or contact. 

• Complete all ACS and internal forms required for case opening and closing as well as obtain consents and forms needed for other case activities. Obtain and maintain collateral contacts with all other service providers including school and medical reports on a regular basis. 

• Comply with all data entry requirements for database systems including inputting information in a timely manner (PROMIS, Connections, etc.). 

• Compile and organize appropriate client intake paperwork, surveys, and forms. Maintain casefiles, database entry, and record keeping in compliance with ACS, OCFS, and AAFSC requirements, in alignment with the Solution Based Casework Model guidelines (as needed). 

• Appropriately follow incident reporting procedures (as needed). 

• Maintain relationships with ACS personnel, including DCP workers, joint home visit ACS staff, and FSU workers, for ongoing ACS supervision. 

• Regularly collaborate and communicate with PPRS staff by responding to emails, maintaining an up-to-date Outlook calendar, participating in supervision meetings, and scheduling office days. 

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned. 

Trainings, Meetings, and Audit Preparation 

• Attend training provided by ACS, Solution Based Casework, and other organizations as required (minimum of 42 hours/6 days each fiscal year) and log training by submitting certificates to the Director of Training and Development. 

• Attend internal meetings as scheduled, collaborating with the multidisciplinary team (e.g., monthly supervision). 

• Assist in preparation of internal and external audits (COQI, PAMS, safety alerts, etc.) related to the program operation and delivery of services. 

BACKGROUND & POSITION REQUIREMENTS: 

A successful Case Planner at AAFSC is one that is both compassionate and objective. The candidate must be a good communicator and problem solver who is able to quickly respond to unforeseen challenges. In addition to these general skills and traits, AAFSC is looking for a candidate with the following skills: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required. 

• Familiarity with using PROMIS and Connections. 

• Computer skills in Microsoft Office suite and excellent writing skills are required. 

• Bilingual or multi-lingual fluency required. Arabic, Bangla/Bengali, Hindi, Spanish or Urdu skills strongly preferred. 

• Experience working with under-served students in urban schools, child welfare system, and/or community-based settings a plus. 

• Exercises discretion regarding sensitive personal and legal information. 

• Job contingent on pre-employment background checks. 

• U.S. Work authorization required. 

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.