Case Planner

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York is seeking a dedicated caseworker who will provide direct casework services to children and families as part of an Independent Living team. The role involves advocating for families, making home visits, and conducting family conferences. A Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related field is required along with relevant experience in child welfare. The position offers a hybrid schedule including significant travel throughout New York City.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree required in Social Work or related field with one year experience in child welfare.
• Clean NYS driver’s license and access to own personal car.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct casework services to children and their families.
• Facilitate family team conferences and home visits.
• Advocate for residents in securing community resources.

Skills

Communication skills

Advocacy for children and families

Casework experience

Driving skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field

Tools

Field vehicle

Job description

Provides direct casework services to children and their families as a member of an Independent Living team. Performs all activities and administrative tasks associated with handling a caseload in keeping with all ACS and OCFS regulations. Chairs Treatment Team Meeting. Field work that sometime requires you to drive residents/ family members in your vehicle. Some evening hours are required for parent conferences and home visits.

About St. John’s

Founded in 1826 as a home for orphaned children, St. John’s has evolved into a nonprofit social services agency providing residential care to New York City youth involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. We offer holistic, trauma-informed support to young people up to age 21.

Our main campus in Rockaway Park, Queens, houses a Residential Treatment Center, Close to Home Non-Secure Placement programs, administrative offices, clinical services, and an on-site NYC Department of Education school. We also operate a Non-Secure Detention residence in Richmond Hill and Limited Secure Placement programs in Brooklyn and Staten Island.

St. John’s is dedicated to helping youth heal, grow, and build the skills they need to achieve their goals and return to family or a stable, supportive environment as engaged members of their communities.

• Demonstrates fidelity to the agency’s service values and organizational imperatives.
• Attend family/criminal court hearings on behalf of resident youth.
• Attends monthly unit meetings with Director, caseworker and case aide of our other NSP program. Unit meetings provide a forum to discuss challenging cases, exchange treatment ideas and be updated by Director about new agency, ACS and OCFS policies.
• Facilitates family team conferences to discuss progress and planning toward reunification/ independence.
• Makes home visits at least once a month to discuss challenges, progress with parent/child visits and securement of community resources.
• Provides direct casework services to families. Develops action plans with the assistance of the RTC/NSP/NSD team.
• Chairs Apartment Business Meeting (ABM) for RTC program resident youth.
• Strongly advocates for residents/ families in securing community resources; troubleshoots in tenant/landlord conflicts, school placements, etc.
• Timely compliance with all applicable social service-related regs/mandated paperwork and record keeping (OCFS, ACS, courts, etc.).
• Meets with youth at least twice a month to develop a trusting relationship, discuss progress of parent/child visits, school progress and adjustment to RTC/NSP/NSD program.
• Attends, engages and advocates for youth at school conferences and IEP’s. Arranges transportation for parents to attend.
• Writes psycho-socials and treatment reports based on collaboration with fellow team members. Develops a safety plan for youth.
• Provides one-on-one counseling and trauma-informed casework, as needed, practice with individual youth.
• Meets biweekly with supervisor and case aide to discuss treatment plans, progress, challenges and ideas.
• Facilitates permanent connections for youth/assures family engagement whenever possible.
• Explores clinical, educational, vocational and legal services.
• Attends, engages and advocates for youth at school conferences and IEP’s. Arranges transportation for parents to attend.
• Attends training sessions and transitional conferences at ACS and detention centers.
• Develop effective working relations and cooperate with administrative team throughout the entire case management process.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree required in Social Work or related field with one year experience in child welfare.
• Clean NYS driver’s license and access to own personal car.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.

Travel Requirements

This position offers a hybrid and in field schedule and requires significant travel throughout the five boroughs.

Disclaimer

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of a person in this position.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement

With more than 250 years of combined experience, Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York and St. John’s Residence for Boys have a long-standing history of serving children, youth, adults and families of color. Our mission, vision and values are grounded in elevating the shared humanity of every staff member, community partner and those with whom we engage. We recognize that our DEIB work is continuously evolving as we strive for equity and inclusion for individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, abilities, religions and lived experiences.

Accessibility

Some job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may be designed to protect the safety and health of the employee, their fellow employees and the individuals being served and may therefore exclude some individuals.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

St. John’s Residence for Boys provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected group status.