Case Manager - Bilingual - Spanish/English -JOR

National Youth Advocate Program•Greenville, SC

About The Position

The Case Manager for La Jornada connects children and families with the support and resources they need. The role is responsible for completing and submitting timely assessments and service plans, uploading documents to ORR’s UC Portal, and maintaining comprehensive case files compliant with ORR policy and NYAP’s Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) requirements. The Case Manager maintains a flexible, organized, and efficient schedule and may work extended hours, evenings, weekends, and on-call shifts. The Case Manager coordinates case management and family reunification services for children in ORR care, working collaboratively with youth, sponsors and families, foster caregivers, program staff, attorneys, and ORR stakeholders. The position includes assessing and vetting potential sponsors, facilitating safe and timely releases, documenting case activity, supporting discharge planning, and ensuring youth are appropriately supervised. Travel and driving to appointments and other destinations, including within the United States for reunification, may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Counseling, or another social service field.
Excellent case management, verbal communication, and written communication skills.
Critical assessment and analysis skills.
Motivation, organization, flexibility, and ability to manage multiple service priorities and work under stress while multitasking.
Sincere commitment to serving and advocating for youth and families.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including on-call duties, evenings, and weekends.
Cleared Level II background check from the appropriate entity.
Ability to obtain Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification and First Aid/CPR certification.
Ability to supervise clients indoors and outdoors as necessary.
Proficiency with desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, tablets, printers, fax machines, photocopiers, and word-processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
Bilingual English/Spanish fluency; Spanish fluency is required.
Minimum automobile insurance coverage of $100,000/$300,000 bodily liability coverage.
At least 21 years of age, a valid state driver’s license, a reliable personal vehicle, and a good driving record.
Ability to travel as needed for training, conferences, and youth transportation within the United States.
Ability to remain objective and professional, respect others’ ideas and actions, and advocate for children facing behavioral health, immigration, educational, legal, developmental, and socioeconomic challenges.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including manual dexterity and sensory acuity; repetitive motions; prolonged sitting and standing; occasional lifting, bending, pulling, and carrying; and frequent travel and driving while seated for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience working with children and adolescents or in the youth services field; volunteer and internship experience may count.

Responsibilities

Perform all work consistently with NYAP’s mission, values, and philosophies.
Complete case management assessments within ORR timeframes and prepare timely service plans.
Conduct on-site admission and initial intake interviews with youth, gathering family and potential sponsor information and establishing the youth’s age.
Interview sponsors, family members, and family friends to assess a sponsor’s ability to care for minors.
Serve as the case point of contact for assigned Federal Field Specialists, Case Coordinators, and Contract Field Specialists.
Prepare for, conduct, and lead pre-staffing meetings with multidisciplinary professionals and attend staffing meetings with ORR stakeholders as needed.
Coordinate with local pro bono attorneys to provide timely Know Your Rights presentations and legal screenings, and facilitate attorney-client contact as requested by youth.
Collaborate with program administration and clinical, medical, and educational staff on case management practices.
Help ensure youth have a safe environment and are released from ORR care safely and on time, including conducting sponsor vetting and obtaining supporting documents and checks as needed.
Document actions and contacts with youth, sponsors, and stakeholders in required progress notes.
Complete reunification packets and release requests for initial review by the Lead Case Manager or program designee; submit completed packets and appropriate referrals, including home studies and post-release services.
Provide weekly in-person updates to youth and telephonic updates to family members or sponsors, and ensure two weekly telephone contacts with family, primary caregivers, or sponsors.
Facilitate calls between minors and approved family members or caregivers.
Coordinate weekly treatment team meetings with representatives from program departments.
Build and maintain relationships with foster parents, attend meetings with them, and act as liaison with foster caregivers.
Drive or otherwise transport children to program services, court appointments, attorney visits, other required appointments, and reunification destinations as needed.
Coordinate case management and family reunification services, including active participation in discharge planning and documenting safety and post-18 age-out plans.
Oversee or participate in reporting significant incidents in accordance with policies and procedures.
Maintain youth’s electronic and physical case files, including uploading documents to UC Portal and Evolve.
Work up to eight UC cases with minimal supervision, with caseload potentially increasing depending on sponsor category and other factors.
Attend required organizational training, departmental and program meetings, and other training designated for professional growth.
Assist with youth evacuations when needed due to severe weather, disasters, or other unforeseen events; maintain a safe, clean, hazard-free work area and follow ORR, CDC, and state COVID-19 protocols.
Provide proper supervision of youth and respond productively to change and other assigned essential tasks.