Caseworker II - RTA and NSD

LOCATION: Syosset, NY

REPORTS TO: Casework Supervisor

DEPARTMENT: L.I. Residential Programs

SCHEDULE: Full Time / Hybrid

$1,500 Hiring Bonus

AGENCY BACKGROUND:

MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential.


PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

The Raise the Age (RTA) program was designed to meet the complex needs of youth who have become involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, but for whom treatment, within a therapeutic environment, is the recommended approach to growth and change for both the youth and family/primary caretaker. The program is co-ed and serves up to 10 boys and 4 girls. The overall goal of the RTA Program is to successfully engage youth and family in trauma-focused, strengths-based, culturally competent, and family-centered treatment. Individualized service plans promote accelerated family reunification and safe re-entry of youth to their community. The program is designed to promote safety, stability, and prosocial growth, reduce delinquent behaviors, improve family functioning, and create supportive linkages and connections to community resources upon discharge from the program.

The Non-Secure Detention Program is a campus-based service offered to Nassau/Orange County youth as an alternative to Detention. Youth referred are before the Nassau/Orange County Family Court awaiting the adjudication and disposition process. These youth are placed when they are deemed at risk of reoffending in the community or at risk of not returning to their pending court appearance. The Non-Secure Detention Program is a co-ed, eight bed facility. The program is sponsored by Nassau County Department of Social Services/Orange County Department of Social Services and certified by New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

SUMMARY:

The caseworker will provide the clients and their families/primary resource persons with intensive casework services for the RISE and NSD programs on our Syosset campus.
 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in social work or related field. Must maintain a valid Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.
• 1 years’ work-related experience with the knowledge and training in working with children and families including child development stages and family dynamics
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, core values, and Sanctuary Commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Social Justice.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct regular casework sessions with each client in accordance with Federal, State, and Local mandates.
• Conduct regular home visits and maintain regular contact with birth parents, foster parents, and/or resource persons in accordance with mandates.
• Document all contacts in appropriate computer systems within established timeframes.
• Prepare all required documentation on each case which could include progress notes, psychosocial reports, permanency hearing notes, FASPs, etc.
• Attend legal proceedings such as family court hearings.
• Actively participate in staff training and supervision meetings.
• Arrange, monitor, and document home visits, family/sibling visits.
• Respond to emergencies as needed and/or directed.

BENEFITS/PERKS:

• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family
• 403B retirement benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, 12 paid holidays)
• Free employee assistance program through National EAP
• Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
• Training to support professional and personal development
• Employee wellness program
• Employee recognition activities

Salary Range:
$58,000 - $60,000 per year
Hiring bonus of $1,500 after 500 worked hours

MercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.

Salary : $58,000 - $60,000