LOCATION: S. Ozone, NY

REPORTS TO: Casework Supervisor

DEPARTMENT: Enhanced Family Foster Care

SCHEDULE: Full Time / Hybrid

$1000 Hiring Incentive

AGENCY BACKGROUND:

MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

Every child should feel cared for, be safe and be nurtured. The goal of our Enhanced Family Foster Care is to provide services necessary to enable each child a safe, permanent circle of support. Whenever possible, reunification with family is pursued. this program strives to meet the needs of New York City’s ever-changing foster care population, Enhanced Family Foster Care (EFFC) . Our program recognizes that all children in foster care have experienced trauma, that their needs may change over time, and that their strengths must be supported so they can reach their full potential. This position is conveniently located in S. Ozone Park, Queens, close to Mass Transit.

POSITION SUMMARY:

A Caseworker works with children and youth who reside in a foster home as well as family members and other adults serving as supports to the young person. In addition, we support our foster parents, who can either be relatives or could be individuals who are not related to the children. Caseworkers work as a team with Socio-Therapists to provide supports to the children, the birth families and the foster parents to ensure that every child is making progress towards permanency.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors in social work or related field
• 1 year of related work experience in serving children and/or families
• Knowledge of and/or training in child development stages
• Knowledge of and/or training in family dynamics
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook
• Ability to engage with clients
• A valid driver’s license is strongly preferred
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, core values, Sanctuary Commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide intensive support to children, therapeutic foster parents and birth families.
• Conduct regular casework sessions with each client in accordance with Federal, State, and Local mandates.
• Conduct regular home visits to therapeutic foster homes
• Maintain regular contact with birth parents to provide support and problem solve
• Maintain regular contact foster parents, and/or resource persons
• Holds bi-weekly individual Sociotherapist sessions with each client and family for their first 3 months in program
• Document all contacts and case activities in the State system of Connections, Agency patient tracking systems
• Complete documentation within established timeframes
• Prepare all required documentation on each case including progress notes, psychosocial reports, permanency hearing notes, FASPs
• Attend legal proceedings such as family court hearings, representing the agency and client’s best interests
• Actively participate in staff training and supervision meetings.
• Arrange, monitor and document family and/or sibling visits.
• Respond to emergencies as needed and/or directed

BENEFITS/PERKS:

• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family
• 403B retirement benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, 12 paid holidays)
• Free employee assistance program through National EAP
• Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
• Trainings to support professional and personal development
• Employee wellness program
• Employee recognition activities

Salary Range:
$50,000 - $54,000 per year

Hiring Incentive - $1,000 after 500 worked hours

MercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, m