Youth Social Worker (MSW)

Chinese Mutual Aid Association•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Chinese Mutual Aid Association (CMAA) is a fast-paced, community-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to fostering the integration of the low-income, Pan-Asian immigrant and refugee community into the United States. Established in 1981, CMAA has been a cornerstone of the Uptown community, providing programming for generations of low-income youth, adults, and senior citizens. We offer direct services, including afterschool & youth mentorship programming, job training & placement, elder care services, and social services such as citizenship & housing services. Chinese Mutual Aid Association is seeking a full-time Youth Social Worker (MSW) to support the immigrant origin youth served across CMAA’s youth development programs. This includes stewarding social-emotional learning across all youth programs, upskilling and developing the youth-serving team, and providing direct support to students in our afterschool and mentoring programs. Additionally, in collaboration with program leadership, the Youth Social Worker (MSW) will be responsible for designing and implementing a regularly-occurring, comprehensive needs assessment for all CMAA youth programs. The needs assessment will determine the gaps in service for youth and their families, and will outline how CMAA’s youth department can improve programming to better meet those needs. This position is grant-funded for at least one year, with continuation dependent on performance and available funding.

Requirements

Masters of Social Work or equivalent degree required
LSW/LCSW or PEL preferred
Experience working with children/families required
The ability to work with diverse populations, specifically immigrant and refugee communities.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
All staff who provide direct services to youth are required to pass three background checks: Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS), National Sex Offender Registry (FBI fingerprint check), Criminal background check (Checkr).
If a staff member will drive students, they must also complete a motor vehicle background check and provide proof of insurance.

Nice To Haves

Relevant experience in mentoring and/or afterschool programs is preferred.
Experience conducting needs assessments and data collection is highly preferred.
Experience helping families navigate the Chicago Public Schools system is highly preferred.
Proficiency in another language (specifically Vietnamese, Spanish, or Amharic) and a valid driver’s license with access to a car is a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

Support the social emotional development of youth attending CMAA’s Diverse Young Leaders after-school and summer camp programs.
Develop and facilitate small group activities exploring topics including but not limited to the following: coping skills, emotional regulation and executive functioning, belongingness, community, and self-compassion.
Provide one-on-one support to students in developmental areas related to academic achievement so that each student can identify personal strengths, interests, goals, and how to act on them.
Facilitate conflict resolution conversations between students and/or parents using restorative practices.
Act as a substitute or provide in-class behavioral support for classroom coordinators.
Work with contracted LCSWs to provide parent leadership program support as necessary.
Develop and provide match support assistance for Young Women Warriors and Young Men Making Moves mentoring programs.
Following Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring, develop a consistent, sustainable match support process for one-to-one mentoring.
Assist mentoring staff in facilitating first match meetings as needed.
Develop and facilitate relevant mentor training sessions throughout the year, with a target goal of one per quarter.
Support mentors, mentees, and families during crisis situations.
Design and implement needs assessments and compliance surveys for youth department programming.
Create new surveys and refine existing surveys for youth, parents, and staff.
Facilitate small group discussions, focus groups, or informal conversations.
Collect data on demographics, social determinants, and needs.
Facilitate survey collection of youth, parents, staff, and community members.
In partnership with the Youth Department Manager, organize and analyze data.
Collaborate with the Youth Department Manager to support team professional development in areas related to social emotional learning, neurodiverse-affirming practices, classroom management, restorative practices, trauma-responsive practices, and more.
Write case notes for services provided to CMAA youth, consistently keeping CMAA staff abreast through formal and informal protocols of student successes and challenges, as well as ideas to better support student development.
Provide referrals for students and families as relevant.
Other duties as assigned.