Permanency Specialist-Youth Permanency Program

The Home for Little Wanderers•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Home for Little Wanderers is seeking a Permanency Specialist for the Youth Permanency Program. YPC is a permanency-focused program which assists youth in the foster care system who are lacking natural and permanent connections with family. YPC services are provided through a Department of Children and Families (DCF) contract with youth who are in DCF custody and reside in a foster care or program setting. Youth are identified by their DCF teams and are referred for the program, overseen by a contract manager at DCF Central Office. The YPC Permanency Specialist engages the youth through regular in-person meetings and then works with youth to identify and engage extended family members in the permanency planning process for /with the youth. Working in collaboration with the YPC clinical team, the YPC Specialist searches for and engages family network, considers what steps are needed to build a team around the youth, and then considers needs related to permanency readiness. The goal of YPC is to connect youth with safe, healthy adults; and to ensure that the connection is sustainable and allows youth to feel cared for by adults who will be in their life permanently.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, mental health or related discipline required.
Excellent cultural awareness and sensitivity.
Needs to have strong engagement skills with vulnerable adolescents and their family members.
Computer literate, including Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer, with the ability to learn new software applications.

Nice To Haves

Experience applying permanency best practices with youth in the child welfare field preferred.
Knowledge of a second language such as Spanish or Haitian Creole a plus.

Responsibilities

Report to the Director of Permanency Services/also Program Director for YPC.
Will carry eight YPC cases and will work directly with youth and their families to address permanency needs -in the youth’s program and in the community.
Be prepared to have a flexible schedule at times in order to meet the individual needs of family members – some weekend and after work hours.
Communicate frequently with DCF team about progress towards goals.
Work independently as a great deal of the practice is out of an office and will occur where the youth are living, local community, and within family member’s homes and community.
Provide case management services; act as a liaison with collateral agencies and programs; establish and maintain relationship services that support children’s and family’s growth. Act as an advocate for families, teach parents to advocate for themselves and their children. Help families develop the skills needed to navigate the social service system.
Utilize treatment modalities that are consistent with program goals and that best fit with clients’ age and treatment needs, including play/expressive therapy, group therapy and family therapy.
Perform initial assessment and evaluation of new clients and families. Identify treatment needs and barriers to growth and development. Design treatment plans that address and specify outcomes. Collaborate with clients and family members to develop treatment objectives. Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity.
Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide quality care. Attend staff meetings and case conferences and present client material. Consult with supervisor and team members on challenging or difficult client issues. Facilitate communication between various providers.
Submit reports, documentation and billing in a timely manner. Ensure that documentation meets utilization review and quality assurance standards.
May be required to use personal vehicle to transport clients if/when needed.
To transport clients, must maintain the minimum amounts of liability insurance as required by The Home and/or other regulatory requirements and vehicle registration and driver’s license must be current.