Aftercare Worker

ABBOTT HOUSE•Village of Irvington, NY

2d•$57,000 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

The work involves responsibility for providing life skills services for youth group homes and foster care. The Aftercare worker coordinates and carries out discharge planning and associated aftercare services planning of each youth entering Abbott House QRTP Group Home Placement. The Aftercare worker serves as team participants assisting social workers, foster parents, Childcare staff, caseworkers, other agency or community representatives, and youth in coordinating and delivering the services of the life skills program. The Aftercare worker will provide the required QRTP services for all Group Home youth for a minimum of six months post-discharge or step-down.

Requirements

Bachelor’s required.
Minimum of 4 years of full-time experience working with high risk youth (i.e., emotionally disturbed (SED), Juvenile Delinquents (JD), or Persons in Need of Supervision PINS) in a residential setting or in a community based program specializing in services for high risk youth and their families.
Working knowledge of the modern principles and practices of social work along with experience within the child welfare system.
Working knowledge of researching and engaging community services.
Ability to establish and effective relationships.
Ability to communicate effectively with SED population.
Ability to plan and collaborate with youth and their team.
Computer literacy and familiarity with Connx
Ability to plan, lead, conduct groups with youth and adult training sessions.
Ability to make oral and written reports.
Strong organizational and communication skills.
Ability to model and present professionally.
Good assessment and interviewing and counseling skills.
Must have a valid Driver’s License and a clean driving record.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain collaborative, professional relationships with youth and members of the youth’s treatment team to support coordinated service delivery.
Participate as an active member of the youth’s treatment team, including attendance at service plan reviews, bi-weekly team meetings, FTC meetings, and other meetings related to youth development and progress.
Develop individualized goals and tasks in collaboration with the youth, family, and treatment team to support permanency and independence planning.
Document and report youth progress in accordance with agency timelines and requirements, including updates during team meetings and case conferences.
Support youth in building on their strengths by identifying and facilitating access to community-based opportunities, including recreational, educational, vocational, employment, leisure, and skill-building activities.
Arrange and provide support for youth participation in activities and youth groups such as Youth Speak Out, including coordinating communication with caseworkers, foster parents, biological parents, and mentors, and providing accompaniment when necessary.
Provide individualized financial literacy support to youth, including budgeting, saving, money management, and assistance with opening bank accounts when appropriate.
Develop and maintain professional relationships with community service providers to ensure youth have access to appropriate community-based supports and resources.
Assist youth in developing a comprehensive Life Portfolio containing essential documents for adulthood, including career plans, photo identification, birth certificate, Social Security card, driver’s/non-driver’s license, certificates of accomplishment, and educational assessments.
Enroll youth in driving school once they have successfully passed the written permit exam.
Attend trainings, supervision meetings, and professional development sessions as assigned by the supervisor.
Participate in weekly supervisory meetings to review youth progress, service planning, and case updates.
Attend permanency hearings and related court or agency proceedings as required.
Complete monthly case notes in Connections in accordance with agency and state requirements.
Refer youth families to appropriate community resources based on needs assessments.
Conduct required monthly contacts, which include either: Two (2) face-to-face contacts, or One (1) face-to-face contact and one (1) additional approved contact (telephone, email, video call, or other approved communication method).
Accompany youth on community-based activities, including recreational, educational, vocational, and life-enrichment experiences such as group trips, educational outings, cultural events, and educational vacations that promote independence, personal growth, and community integration.
Enroll and oversee youth participation in life certification programs, trade schools, and vocational training opportunities that support career development, skill-building, and long-term self-sufficiency.
Develop youth discharge plans in collaboration with the youth’s permanency team to support successful transition from care.
Provide and/or facilitate all services identified in the youth’s final support (discharge) plan to ensure continuity of care and successful transition.
Engage youth and community supports following discharge from residential programming to promote successful reintegration into home or community settings, or continued engagement with step-down placement programs
Identify, connect, and coordinate youth access to developmental, educational, vocational, and community-based resources within their home communities.
Establish and maintain a network of Supervised Setting Programs (SSPs), when appropriate, to support youth experiencing permanency challenges in transitioning to lower levels of care and reintegration into the community.
Conduct two (2) monthly contacts with each youth beginning within 24–48 hours of admission to Abbott House QRTP and continuing through trial discharge and the 3–6 month post-discharge period. Monthly contacts shall include either: Two (2) face-to-face contacts, or One (1) face-to-face contact and one (1) additional approved contact method (telephone, email, video call, or other approved communication method).