Bilingual Home Study Caseworker_Jor

Position Title:Home Study Caseworker

Reporting Relationship: PRS Caseworker Supervisor

Position Summary

Under a grant from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), NYAP’s Home Study (HS) Caseworkers complete in-person visits to sponsor family homes to conduct in-depth assessment of the potential sponsor’s ability to ensure the child’s safety and well-being, conduct face-to-face interviews with sponsors, other household members, and initiate background checks. HS Caseworkers must have experience in conducting HS according to the requirements in the state where services are being provided and must be skilled at writing professional, thorough assessment reports. HS caseworkers must have knowledge of local community social services and should have specialized experience conducting home studies and working with immigrant populations. Additionally, HS caseworkers should be knowledgeable about family preservation, kinship care, and/or general child welfare. Required travel includes in-person visits to sponsor family homes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform all work in a manner consistent with the National Youth Advocate Program’s Mission, Values and Philosophies.
• Complete in-person visits to sponsor family homes to conduct in-depth assessment of the potential sponsor’s ability to ensure the child’s safety and well-being, conduct face-to-face interviews with sponsors and other household members.
• Initiate background checks of the sponsor and adult household members.
• Identify areas where additional support, resources, or information are needed to ensure a successful sponsorship and provide corresponding psychoeducational assistance.
• Ensure completion of HS within ORR’s designated timeframes, and uploads to the UC Portal and Evolv in accordance with NYAP/ORR Policies and Procedures, Assists with post release services, if needed.
• Provide well written and documented final HS recommendations (positive or negative) that present a comprehensive and detailed assessment of the sponsor’s ability to care for the needs of the unaccompanied child and address any additional information that emerges during the HS regarding the sponsor, the sponsor’s household, the physical environment of the sponsor’s home, or the unaccompanied child.
• Carry a caseload not to exceed 3, if regionally based, or 2, if cases require travel outside the regional area.
• Ensure excellence in HS documentation and Program compliance.
• Provide and foster a coordinated case management approach that adopts a collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation, care coordination, evaluation, and advocacy for options and services to meet the unaccompanied child and the sponsor's presenting needs.
• Demonstrate working knowledge and understanding of ORR Policy and Procedures, Flores Agreement as well as other applicable, and pertinent regulations and laws including the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2008 et.al.
• Ensure protection of Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and adhering to confidentiality of information and HIPAA regulations per ORR Policy requirements.
• Provide and ensure effective communication with care providers, and ORR stakeholders.
• Establish a respectful, supportive workplace environment that promotes NYAP’s values of caring for people, connecting communities and promoting peace while ensuring staff accountability and compliance.
• Elevates any issues or concerns to NYAP leadership and ORR.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree or an equivalent degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other behavioral science equivalent.
• Experience in conducting HS according to the requirements in the state where services are being provided.
• Skilled at writing professional, thorough assessment reports.
• Knowledge of local community social services and should have specialized experience conducting home studies and working with immigrant populations.
• Knowledgeable about family preservation, kinship care, and/or general child welfare. At minimum.       
• Prior experience with ORR HS/PRS preferred.
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries, and C/ANs check.
• Active motor vehicle license, reliable automobile, a good driving record, and 100/300 insurance coverage.
• Willingness to work flexible and non-traditional hours in the service of persons served.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Use of manual dexterity, tactile, visual, and audio acuity
• Use of repetitive motion, prolonged periods of sitting and standing, and sustained visual and mental applications and demands.
• Occasional lifting (up to 25 pounds), bending, pulling, and carrying.
• Quantitative/mathematical ability (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, standard measurements).

The qualified candidate will follow a team concept and support agency goals, colleagues and stakeholder liaisons. Candidate must be able to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to persons from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, gender, gender identity, sexual identity, disability, religious, and racial backgrounds.

This job description is not an all-inclusive list of duties but rather a reflection of typical work performed in that position.

The person in this position needs to follow a team concept and support both agency goals and co-workers. Employees must be able to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to persons from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.