CASEWORKER LGBTQ - (NEW JERSEY AVE, BK)

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Caseworker with Child (30%)

Maintains ongoing qualitative social work and child care contacts in compliance with regulatory mandates. Advocates vigorously for appropriate educational and vocational placements for each resident. Prepares cases for six-month interdisciplinary reviews and actively contributes to the development of comprehensive service plans. Serves as the resident’s advocate in collaborative planning with the Department of Mental Health, Youth Development Services, and the program’s Nursing and Management Units. Facilitates case progression to ensure placement in the most appropriate and least restrictive setting for required services.

Caseworker with Family (30%)

Maintains and facilitates ongoing qualitative social work contacts with families, children, and siblings in compliance with regulatory mandates. Executes diligent efforts to locate family members for each youth in the program and implements creative strategies to engage them in service planning and delivery. Advocates for and coordinates family therapy and other supportive collateral services when appropriate. Develops realistic, timely discharge plans and promotes the principles of the Family-to-Family initiative through collaboration with direct care staff, birth parents, youth, and neighborhood residents. Builds communities of care by fostering strong relationships with significant individuals and service providers within the family reside.

Casework with Collateral Persons (15%)

Maintains regular contact and effective working relationships with key stakeholders involved in service planning and delivery, including child care staff, educators, court and legal representatives, foster parents, medical personnel, and other caseworkers. Advocates vigorously for services that empower and enhance client functioning. Ensures a holistic, culturally sensitive, family-centered, and child-focused presentation of case details. Represents the agency at neighborhood service network meetings and other forums and actively participates in community education initiatives.

Record keeping (25%)

Maintains accurate and up-to-date electronic and paper case records, ensuring complete, timely documentation of all casework activities is a critical component of this role. Facilitates compliance with City and State regulatory standards and practices. Prepares and submits all required reports, including service plans, permanency hearing reports, and progress notes, within established deadlines.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Experience required:

Proven success in foster boarding home or residential childcare work preferred.

Demonstrated knowledge and competency in the Family-to-Family service model highly desirable.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field from an accredited college or university preferred. Degrees in other disciplines will be given full consideration.

Special Skills:

Familiarity with the assigned community and knowledge of the major cultural groups within the neighborhoods served. Preferred qualifications include residence in the community where the position is located, cultural alignment with the population served, and proficiency in the language(s) spoken by major groups in the area. Must possess excellent writing skills and basic computer proficiency, including email, word processing, and internet research.

ESSENTIALS CHARACTERISTICS

Team-oriented and collaborative.

Culturally sensitive and respectful of diversity.

Strong belief in personal growth and ability to build respectful partnerships with clients and families.

Skilled at setting boundaries, maintaining a professional role, and intervening appropriately.