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Form of workStaten Island Family Services Center (465 Villa Avenue) $40,000 - $48,000 Children's Aid provides comprehensive community services to children of all ages and their families residing in underserved communities. An array of services supports families from cradle to college to alleviate societal challenges that can interrupt a child, adolescent or young adults' abilities to thrive and maximize their potential. Children's Aid offers a continuum of short term evidence based interventions of varying levels of intensity, in four boroughs.
The prevention services continuum consists of Family Support, therapeutic and Family Assessment Program (FAP) program services as well as the Safe Way Forward Program for families impacted by Domestic Violence. Our prevention service interventions are charged with the responsibility to avert current, future or repeat involvement with child welfare, juvenile justice systems. Solution Based Casework (SBC) is an evidenced-informed casework practice model that prioritizes working in partnership with families, focuses on pragmatic solutions to difficult situations, and notices and celebrates change.
The model is based on three theoretical underpinnings: solution-focused family therapy, family life cycle theory and relapse prevention. Solution Based Casework (SBC) provides a common conceptual map for child welfare Case Planners, Supervisors, Leadership staff, and treatment providers to help focus everyone's efforts on clear and agreed upon outcomes. The Solution Based Casework Program (SBC) of the Children's Aid serves 384 families in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Using an evidence-based, family-centered framework we strive to strengthen families and reduce the incidence child abuse and neglect. Our evidence-based clinical approach supported by the case management piece is crucial in addressing safety and risk issues for our families to become independent of system involvement. Position Summary: Solution Based Casework (SBC) Case Aides provide culturally competent case management and advocacy to families in the Solution Based Casework (SBC) Program in compliance with ACS policies and procedures.
The SBC Case Aide is part of a clinical team that comprises of an SBC Program Director, SBC Supervisor and up to 4 Case Planners. The Case Aide's duties are performed in support of, as well as in coordination and collaboration with the SBC Case Planners and Supervisors. The primary duties of the Case Aide are to assist and support the case planners in collecting critical information, such as educational and medical and with linking families to appropriate community resources.
Based on Case Planners' assessments, the Case Aide will provide families with concrete case management support and advocacy services to address families' need for support in areas such as PA, housing, DOE, and referrals for community based services such as parenting classes, mental health services, job readiness programs, after school activities, summer camps, and other pro-social activities, etc. When required, the case planner role in some cases may be transferred from the previously assigned SBC Case Planner to the Case Aide. In these instances, the clinical/evidence-based treatment ends and the Case Aide becomes the program staff primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with ACS and OCFS child welfare mandates on the assigned cases.
Responsibilities: General responsibilities for the position of Solution Based Casework Case Aide will be to support the work of the Case Planners by assisting families with concrete needs and services, educational advocacy and referrals to support services to alleviate barriers to their participation in treatment. Tasks of the SBC Case Aide include, but are not limited to: Assist with concrete case management tasks, e.g. rent arrears, utility shut off, furniture assistance Perform system updates on PROMIS and CONNX Assist with Intake tasks, set up intake packets, open, and close case records.
Monitor school attendance and obtain school records Request medical records for all minor children Assist with maintenance of case records for Solution Based Casework Program Unit Conduct "Safe Sleep" assessments of infants as well as well as ongoing safety and risk assessments of younger children in the home as needed Assist with FTCs (Family Team Conferences) by helping clients get to and from the conferences and sending out letters to the families. In instances when Case aides are assigned a case planner role on cases, Case aides perform child welfare tasks as described above on the assigned cases as well as conduct home visits, complete FASPs and/or Plan Amendments when required. Conduct assessment of financial resources for families as needed Research and Identify appropriate community-based services to support families, e.g mental health programs, DV programs, pro-social activities for adolescents etc.
Accompany clients to entitlement appointments such as HRA/Public Assistance Make referrals/appointments to agencies/collaterals needed Complete all required child welfare documentation such as progress notes, assessment forms, etc for concrete casework performed. Assist with coverage of the front desk when AA is out or additional coverage is needed. Answering the telephone, screening and directing calls while covering front desk.
Gathering resources for clients (e.g.-camps, vocational/alternative school settings, housing info, recreational activities etc.) Collect Safe Mothers, Safe Children (SMSC) screening forms, Domestic Violence (DV) screening forms, Health Connections (HC) screening forms, and make referrals to Health Connections, SMSC and Family Wellness if appropriate. Attend all trainings necessary to perform above tasks. Accept tasks as assigned Qualifications Associate's degree required.
Bachelor's degree in social work or a related field preferred. Minimum one years of related experience working with children, adolescent and/or families preferably in a child welfare, juvenile justice or mental health settings. Spanish speaking preferred.
Ability and willingness to work with families and teens in the home, school and other appropriate settings in the community. Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and some weekends as needed. Ability to work independently, as well as contribute to a team.
Very good interpersonal/communication skills, including ability to write well and complete documentation in a timely manner. Computer literate.
