CARES Worker I

A Second Chance Inc; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A Second Chance Inc. is seeking a CARES Worker I to provide short-term, trauma-informed therapy to children and families involved with the child welfare system in the Pittsburgh area.

The role requires delivering in-home clinical support, developing 8-week treatment plans, and maintaining meticulous documentation while collaborating with kinship networks and external partners to promote stability and healthy attachments.

Qualifications

• Strong clinical assessment and therapeutic intervention skills.
• Knowledge of child, adolescent, and family treatment modalities.
• Knowledge of crisis prevention and intervention techniques.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and experience with diverse populations.
• Ability to develop treatment plans and case strategies.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a caseload of 20–22 high-need kinship families at risk of placement disruption.
• Provide short-term, trauma-informed therapy to children and families in home, community, and agency settings.
• Develop and implement treatment plans within the 8-week CARES service model using a strength-based approach.
• Conduct clinical assessments and complete required instruments to identify strengths, needs, and goals.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation (logs, forms, treatment plans, notes, discharge summaries).
• Collaborate with kinship triad and external partners; participate in case reviews and planning.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Clinical assessment

Documentation skills

Collaboration

Crisis intervention

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work

Job description

CARES Worker IPosition Title: Worker I, CARES (Clinical and Responsive Engagement Services)Department: IHCS – In Home Clinical ServiceOffice: Pittsburgh Corporate OfficeReports To: Director, CARESFLSA Status: Exempt (Salary) Non-Exempt (Hourly)Job Status: Full-Time Part-TimeOrganizational Overview:ASCI is a mission-driven organization committed to advancing excellence in kinship care and strengthening outcomes for youth and families. Guided by a vision to be the nation’s foremost thought leader on kinship care, ASCI works to ensure all youth have the opportunity to grow into responsible adults while helping to break cycles of abuse and addiction. The organization supports kinship caregivers, youth, and the broader child welfare triad through high-quality services, advocacy, education, and innovative programs. ASCI’s culture emphasizes collaboration, integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement in pursuit of lasting, positive impact for children, families, and communities.Everything we do at A Second Chance, Inc. is in support of our five overarching goals:To educate communities to prevent the cycle of child drug and alcohol abuseTo provide children and families with a kinship alternative as a primary placement optionTo extend knowledge gained and expand organizational capacity with traditional and non-traditional constituentsTo enhance long-term financial securityTo maintain state-of-the-art facilities, technologies, and operationsPosition Summary:The Worker I, CARES is responsible for providing short-term, trauma-informed therapy to children and families involved with the child welfare system, serving youth ages 7–18 with mild to high clinical needs requiring immediate intervention. This role delivers in-home clinical support to reduce disruption, preserve kinship placements, and provide structured, agenda-driven sessions, interventions, and coping strategies that promote healthy attachment, reframe trauma, and remediate maladaptive behaviors and emotions. This position contributes to ASCI’s mission by strengthening kinship families, promoting healing, and improving stability and long-term outcomes for children and families.Key Responsibilities:Maintain a caseload of 20–22 cases, serving high-risk, high-need kinship families at risk of placement disruptionProvide short-term, trauma-informed therapy to children and families in home, community, and agency settings based on assessed needDevelop and implement treatment plans and interventions within the 8-week CARES service model using a strength-based approachConduct clinical assessments and complete assessment instruments to identify strengths, needs, and goals for children and familiesMaintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation, including contact logs, encounter forms, treatment plans, case notes, and discharge summariesConduct critical case management services and consultation with the kinship triad to address behavioral and emotional challenges impacting well-beingDemonstrate sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of children and families servedProvide coping strategies and interventions to promote healthy attachment, reframe trauma, and remediate maladaptive behaviors and emotionsRefer families to community-based mental health services when specialized or intensive support is neededCollaborate and maintain professional communication with internal teams and external partners, including POC, HIU, and other agenciesParticipate in weekly case planning, case review, and evaluation of progress with supervision and coaching supportServe as a consultant in case reviews and facilitate Critical Case Conferences and quality review meetingsParticipate in departmental initiatives, including training development, mental health awareness efforts, and professional development activitiesEngage in ongoing training, supervision, and skill-building to enhance clinical effectivenessParticipate in on-call rotation and maintain a flexible, non-traditional schedule based on family needsOther duties as assignedRequirements:EducationRequired: High School Diploma or equivalentPreferred:Master’s Degree in Social Work or related human services discipline with a minimum of two (2) years of child welfare experience, orBachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related human services discipline with five (5) to ten (10) years of child welfare experienceExperienceRequired: Minimum of one (1) year of clinical experience working with children and familiesPreferred:Experience with trauma-informed careExperience providing individual and group therapyExperience working with kinship families or within the child welfare systemSkills & KnowledgeStrong clinical assessment and therapeutic intervention skillsKnowledge of child, adolescent, and family treatment modalitiesKnowledge of crisis prevention and intervention techniques with the ability to respond effectively in emergency situationsKnowledge of kinship foster care programs and family systemsAbility to collaborate with direct care staff and multidisciplinary teamsDemonstrated cultural competency, including experience working with diverse populations, with emphasis on families of African American heritageAbility to develop clinical interventions, treatment plans, and case strategiesStrong documentation and organizational skills to meet regulatory and licensing standardsAbility to participate in training initiatives, case consultation, and clinical program activitiesCertifications & RequirementsCurrent Act 33, State Police, and FBI ClearancesTB Test & PhysicalValid Pennsylvania Driver’s LicenseRegistered and insured vehicleCertificate of Insurance for vehicleWork flexible hours as neededAvailability for on-call responsibilitiesRegular travel within the local city and county, with travel to surrounding counties as predicated by program and business needsPhysical Demands:This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.Ability to perform computer-based work for extended periods in office, remote, and community-based settingsAbility to move about office environments and community locations, including homes, schools, partner agencies, and other service sitesAbility to regularly ambulate within the community, navigate stairs, and enter and exit residences and other facilities while providing servicesAbility to travel as needed to conduct visits, meetings, trainings, and other program-related activitiesAbility to lift, carry, and transport files, program materials, supplies, and small equipment up to 20 lbs. as neededSufficient vision, hearing, and communication abilities to effectively engage with children, families, community partners, and coworkers in a variety of settingsThis job description does not constitute an employment contract and may be revised to meet changing organizational needs.A Second Chance is an Equal Opportunity Employer:All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious; national origin or ancestry; sex; gender identity or expression; sexual orientation disability; marital status; familial status; age (40 or over); or use of a guide or support animal because of blindness, deafness or physical disability of any individual or independent contractor or because of the disability of an individual with whom the person is known to have an association; or on any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.