Aftercare Caseworker II

REPORTS TO: Caseworker Supervisor

DEPARTMENT: LI Residential

SCHEDULE: Full-Time / Hybrid

$1,000 Hiring Bonus

AGENCY 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.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

Catherine House, an Enhanced Hard-to-Place (HTP) Group Home, is a residence providing care for up to 8 female adolescents, between the ages of 13 to 18. The group home offers community-based, home-like atmosphere while still providing a structured and therapeutic environment to meet the residents’ needs. The program is designed for individuals with a history of behavioral difficulties that cannot be successfully maintained in their family home setting, a history of multiple unsuccessful placements, as well as victims of abuse/maltreatment and trauma. The program provides individual, group, and family therapy with 24-hour supervision within a highly structured therapeutic milieu.

SUMMARY:

Under the Supervision of the Casework Supervisor, the Aftercare Caseworker will provide the youth and their family with continued support from day 1 to up to a year after they return home. The goals are successful discharge for both youth and family and assisting in helping children stay out of residential and/or foster care in the future.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of an MSW or Masters in related field. New grads considered!

• Prior experience working with adolescents helpful (internship, volunteer, work experience considered)

• Prior experience with at risk youth strongly preferred.

• Prior casework experience required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• While youth is in our placement: monthly meetings with youth and family.

• Meet with youth 2x monthly to discuss child's activities, needs, plans, etc.

• Meet with parent or legal guardian monthly throughout placement and 2x/month upon discharge to the community

• Collateral contact weekly with such important figures in a youth's life such as school, therapist, and other resources.

• Conduct home assessment within first week of placement with youth's Caseworker to determine any needs for successful transition home.

• Participate in weekly treatment rounds with multi-disciplinary treatment team including therapists, education, and residential life staff.

• Record notes and provide updates on youth's activities and functioning in rounds meetings.

• Write and update psychosocial assessments.

• Participate in red flag meetings (meetings to discuss and solve any issues that arise).

• Participate in placement agency's status meetings.

• Complete monthly detailed discharge plans.

• Identify community-based support (for both youth and legal guardian) prior to discharge such as home services, housing assistance, medical services, etc.

• Attend all court appearances with youth after discharge from residential program, while child is in the aftercare phase. Provide updates to court as needed.

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:

$58,000 - $60,000 per year

Hiring bonus of $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