Aftercare Caseworker II

MercyFirst • Bay Shore, NY

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the Supervision of the Casework Supervisor, the Aftercare Caseworker will provide the youth and their family with continued support from day 1 to up to a year after they return home. The goals are successful discharge for both youth and family and assisting in helping children stay out of residential and/or foster care in the future. Catherine House, an Enhanced Hard-to-Place (HTP) Group Home, is a residence providing care for up to 8 female adolescents, between the ages of 13 to 18. The group home offers community-based, home-like atmosphere while still providing a structured and therapeutic environment to meet the residents’ needs. The program is designed for individuals with a history of behavioral difficulties that cannot be successfully maintained in their family home setting, a history of multiple unsuccessful placements, as well as victims of abuse/maltreatment and trauma. The program provides individual, group, and family therapy with 24-hour supervision within a highly structured therapeutic milieu.

Requirements

• Minimum of an MSW or Masters in related field. New grads considered!
• Prior experience working with adolescents helpful (internship, volunteer, work experience considered)
• Prior experience with at risk youth strongly preferred.
• Prior casework experience required.

Responsibilities

• While youth is in our placement: monthly meetings with youth and family.
• Meet with youth 2x monthly to discuss child's activities, needs, plans, etc.
• Meet with parent or legal guardian monthly throughout placement and 2x/month upon discharge to the community
• Collateral contact weekly with such important figures in a youth's life such as school, therapist, and other resources.
• Conduct home assessment within first week of placement with youth's Caseworker to determine any needs for successful transition home.
• Participate in weekly treatment rounds with multi-disciplinary treatment team including therapists, education, and residential life staff.
• Record notes and provide updates on youth's activities and functioning in rounds meetings.
• Write and update psychosocial assessments.
• Participate in red flag meetings (meetings to discuss and solve any issues that arise).
• Participate in placement agency's status meetings.
• Complete monthly detailed discharge plans.
• Identify community-based support (for both youth and legal guardian) prior to discharge such as home services, housing assistance, medical services, etc.
• Attend all court appearances with youth after discharge from residential program, while child is in the aftercare phase. Provide updates to court as needed.

Benefits

• 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.
• Trainings to support professional and personal development.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee recognition activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level