About Kentucky Refugee Ministries-Covington

KRM Covington is a non-profit refugee and immigrant services agency, assisting newcomers who are in the process of making Northern Kentucky their new home. Founded in 1990 as a nonprofit agency, KRM is a local affiliate of the national network of agencies authorized to provide resettlement services to refugees admitted to the United States through the State Department’s Refugee Admissions Program. The KRM Covington sub-office opened in October of 2021 and currently receives refugee arrivals from Afghanistan, Syria, DR Congo, Venezuela, and Ukraine. With clients and staff of a variety of backgrounds, KRM proudly serves all clients regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We welcome job applicants from all backgrounds.

Job Description

The Caseworker will provide direct client services to newly-arrived refugee families, including pre-arrival coordination; airport reception; enrollment for eligible public benefits (K-TAP, Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security, and disability); assistance in accessing medical care, mental health services and cultural orientation; enrollment of children in school or early childhood programs; and referral of adult refugees to ESL classes and employment services.

Following principles of trauma-informed care and strengths-based case management, the caseworker will collaborate with his/her immigrant clients in developing an individualized family case management plan to overcome barriers and progress toward self-sufficiency. Knowledge of community service providers and a strong commitment to advocating for refugees’ access to services is essential.

In addition to enrollment for public benefits, KRM clients receive federal refugee reception stipends and monthly cash assistance to maintain basic needs during their initial resettlement period. The caseworker will be responsible for overseeing the household financial management of his/her clients and for processing vouchers for agency-managed funds to ensure that refugees’ receive need rent, utilities, food, and public transportation access. Additionally, the caseworker will educate newly-arrived refugees on how to independently manage their household finances, budget their employment and public assistance income, open and manage a bank account, and pay their bills. The Caseworker will also provide a series of cultural orientations to recent refugee arrivals, using a State Department-approved curriculum and assessment tool.

Thorough documentation of services in casenotes, physical case files, and electronic
databases is required. The Caseworker will have substantial independent responsibilities and be expected to combine fieldwork, including home visits, and client transport to appointments with in-office client consultations and case management tasks.

The Caseworker will be supervised by the KRM Northern Kentucky Resettlement Director and the office Case Manager.

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Coordinate pre-arrival services and provide airport reception and home orientation
• Create client case file and enter all client biodata and documentation into case file and computer databases
• Provide comprehensive intake orientation to new clients
• Complete and submit all appropriate referral paperwork
• Assist clients in applying for Social Security cards, SNAP (Food Stamps), K-TAP (TANF), Medicaid, SSI or SSI-Disability
• Develop—with client input—and update an individualized case management plan to focus and assist clients in overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency
• Accurately maintain client expenditure sheets and process vouchers for rent, utility and other disbursements to, or on behalf of clients, in a timely manner
• Enter client case notes maintain client case files in the prescribed manner
• Under supervision of Case Manager, coordinate medical care, school registration and other appointments, providing transport and accompaniment to clients
• Demonstrate knowledge of local social and community services and make appropriate client referrals
• Communicate effectively on behalf of clients with local public and service providers, including public benefits caseworkers at the Department of Community-Based Services (DCBS)
• Complete regular program reports for funders: the Kentucky Office for Refugees and Church World Service, private foundations, and other funders
• Track all assigned cases, meet regularly with clients and effectively organize a time to ensure equitable provision of services
• Coordinate with university interns and volunteers

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Work experience either in a social services, education, medical or cross-cultural setting
• Strong computer and organizational skills, including proficiency in MS Excel
• Job will be mainly during normal business hours with some airport evening arrivals
• Ability to drive and transport clients by car

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week. Pay rate is commensurate with experience and background and is budgeted within a range of $21.00 and $22.00 per hour. Benefits: Medical, dental, vision and life insurance; paid vacation, holidays, sick and personal days.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Patient demographics:

• Adolescents
• Adults
• Children
• Older adults

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person