Permanency Specialist (QRTP Aftercare & Residential)

St Catherine s Center for Children•Albany, NY

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Permanency Specialist coordinates case activities, administrative functions, and family support for residential youth participating in prevention-based aftercare services, from intake through six months after discharge. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the specialist manages a caseload of up to 15 youth ages 5–13 who are in residential placement or transitioning into the community, with a primary focus on long-term permanency. The position supports youth transitioning home or to step-down foster care. The specialist establishes regular contact with youth and permanency resources; helps families address housing, treatment, parenting, benefits, transportation, education, medical, and behavioral health needs; and conducts bi-weekly home visits for six months after discharge. The role also coordinates permanency meetings, visitation plans, family finding, and possible foster home placements, while maintaining communication with county case managers and agency teams. The specialist completes aftercare plans and case notes in AWARDS and NYS CONNECTIONS, and safely transports youth to case-related appointments, visits, and home transitions. This is a hybrid position based in Albany, New York, with local travel, a reliable vehicle, and flexible scheduling, including evenings, as needed.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Human Services or a related field and at least two years of relevant professional experience.
Experience working in a human services agency.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Meet).
Familiarity with, or ability to apply, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Quality Family Time, Family Finding, and Motivational Interviewing techniques.
Strong attention to detail, written aptitude, organizational skills, and time management.
Ability to collaborate in a shared decision-making team, manage emotional reactivity under pressure, and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with diverse clients.
Clean, valid New York State driver’s license held for at least one year.
Meet agency insurance requirements; be at least 21 years old at hire.
Reliable personal vehicle for client transportation when agency vehicles are unavailable.
Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, to accommodate family schedules.
Ability to travel locally for work.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) or a related human services field.
Prior experience with AWARDS and NYS OCFS CONNECTIONS.

Responsibilities

Manage an active caseload of up to 15 youth ages 5–13 in residential placement and post-discharge community settings.
Attend child entrance meetings, clarify roles with youth and stakeholders, and contact identified discharge resources within 24 hours of placement.
Establish bi-weekly face-to-face contact with youth and monthly contact with permanency resources, in person locally or by phone/video when out of state.
Assist permanency resources with housing support, treatment referrals, parenting skill-building, public benefits applications, transportation barriers, and preparation for the youth’s education, medical, and behavioral health needs.
Conduct bi-weekly home visits for six months after discharge and link families to medical, behavioral health, educational, and community supports.
Communicate regularly with DCYF Case Managers about permanency milestones outside the residential setting.
Schedule and lead permanency meetings every six weeks for youth in care, involving youth age 10 and older, permanency resources, DCYF, and collateral contacts.
Collaborate with DCYF and SCCC home-finding units on Family Finding and foster home placement for youth unable to return home or freed for adoption; coordinate introductions and transitions.
Develop and carry out visitation plans under DCYF guidelines and Quality Family Time standards for contact with permanency resources, siblings, and family members.
Participate in treatment team meetings and collaborate with residential case management, nursing/medical, mental health, and school departments on the Family Assessment and Service Plan (FASP).
Complete Aftercare Plans in AWARDS with families and upload them to NYS CONNECTIONS monthly.
Enter comprehensive case notes in AWARDS and NYS CONNECTIONS within seven days of case-related contacts.
Safely transport youth to and from case-related appointments, visits, and home transitions while maintaining a therapeutic environment.

Benefits

Pension plan with an agency contribution.
403(b) retirement savings plan.
Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program for eligible staff.
Travel and mileage expense reimbursements for role-related transit.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
$600 annual well-being reimbursement.
Generous Combined Leave Time (CLT) and paid holidays.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Paid training updates, including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and CPR/AED/First Aid.
Tuition assistance and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
Professional development and internal career growth pathways.